Nora Met Nick

He had the most peculiar look on his face as if he didn't think he could take much more without the help of a few more spirits. Without disappointing her, he moved slowly to the table and poured himself another hi-ball. She had been watching him most of the night, fascinated by the things he did and said. He had the air and manners of a well rehearsed gentleman, the speech of a know-it-all street dweller, and drank like her uncle Marvin whenever Aunt Katharine made him throw a party.

"Nora," she heard from what seemed like a distance. "Nora, are you even listening?"

The socialite turned to her friend she smiled, "Sorry, dear Vivian. I was just paying attention to that strange character your father invited."

"Nora, you've been watching him all night," Vivian pointed out with a smile. "I am starting to think you are a little enamored. His name is Nick Charles, he is a Private Detective for my father. Would you like me to introduce you?"

Nora looked at the gentleman head to toe, admiring his tall, thin physique and easy smile. He wore a white tux with a black vest and bow-tie and made him look extremely distinguished. She wanted to be introduced but she wanted it to happen on her terms, and she had an idea. "No, Viv. I think I will head outside to get some air." Kissing her friend on the cheek, "I won't be long, darling."

She left the comfort of her friend's company and made her way to the drink table right next to him. She noticed a strange warmth radiating from him. Did all people have that type of warmth? Her skin prickled with anticipation and the man hadn't even looked at her yet. What is wrong with her? He leaned back to down the last of his drink and as he turned around accidentally ran right into her.

"Oh I'm so sorry, ma'a,," he flashed her an easy smile that appeared in his eyes as well.

"Miss," she corrected, "and it is quite alright." She finished pouring a hi-ball of her own she refilled his without asking. Raising her glass in a silent cheer, she winked at him and walked away.

Nick was intrigued by the woman. It didn't take his incredible powers of sleuthing and eavesdropping to figure out who she belonged too. She had to be the daughter of Joseph Randall, a San Francisco blue-blood, and she is in New York as a guest of the Roosevelt's. Ms. Vivian's had been talking about her arrival for weeks now. He had caught her a couple of times looking his way, and when she knew he caught her staring she didn't shy away.

He had hoped to get an introduction at some point during the night, but as she moved to the drinks behind him he tried to pretend she wasn't there. He smiled at his good fortune of actually running into her. He didn't realize she had poured him another drink until she offered her greeting, but he knew at that moment he could really like this girl.

He watched the foreign beauty make her way to the open balcony. "Excuse me, George. I am in need of some air, it seems the alcohol is warming me a little too well."

"Well that is your fourth, and you've only been here two hours." George elbowed him. "Go, just be ready to be brought in for when Henry makes his announcement."

"Oh don't worry, I'll disappear before that." George took a double take as Nick followed the path that Nora took only a couple minutes earlier.

She stood off the right side of the balcony, no one was around her but that didn't help with spotting her. She wore a midnight blue evening gown with a white daisies covering the top. She must have heard Nick's footsteps behind her, which is strange because for a well trained flatfoot he is usually very light of foot. Nora turned and he saw the wide smile as if she were expecting him to show up.

"What took you so long," she asked him. He looked her up and down, her white heels peeked out from under her silk dress. He took a good look at her face her curly hair framed her heart shaped face perfectly. She had a pert little nose that sat prominently on her face. Her chocolate brown eyes drew him closer.

"Were you expecting me," Nick asked dumbfounded.

The sweet giggle that erupted from her washed over him like the light breeze that had just picked up. She had a light lemon scent about her that he found more intoxicating than the hi-ball in his hand. Nick took a step forward involuntarily closing the distance between himself and the beauty.

"Yes, actually I was. My name's-"

"Nora Randall," Nick interrupted. "I'm-"

"Nick Charles, I've heard about you too." Her smile grew large and a sparkle entered her lovely gray eyes. "But I'm a little more interested in what you've heard or observed about me."

Nick thought about what to say. He hadn't really heard much about her, but a lot about her father. "Honestly, I heard that I was going to be very impressed with the young lady that would be Miss Vivian's guest for the next two months."

"Oh really?" Her nose crinkled with a girlish giddiness, cause Nick to take another step forward. "Well I heard that I would bored with the boorish type PI that has been working for Uncle Henry."

Nick stood a little straighter, "Did you really?"

"Yes," Nora said, taking a step forward and finally closing the distance between them. She poked a playful finger into his chest. "But you know something?"

"What?"

"I still haven't met this Boor." She smile up at him. "Do you know where I can meet him."

Nick played along by looking around as if thinking. He took a step back and held out his hand. "Nick Charles, resident PI Boor."

Nora surprisingly did not hand him dainty fingers but engulfed his callused hand in a real handshake, "Nora Randall, visiting Spoiled San Francisco Royalty."

"Well Miss-"

"Nick," someone called. "It's time for you to come in. Oh Miss Randall, Miss Roosevelt is looking for you too."

Nick looked to her with a silent apology and noticed the dejection in Nora's eyes too. He had to smile to himself. He offered her his arm and she happily took it, but as soon as they entered the room she quickly broke off before anyone could noticed them. He tried to go after her but quickly lost her in the crowd.

"Oh I'll find her again... I'm a Boorish PI," he smiled to himself.