She sat alone at the quiet hotel bar, enjoying the soothing piano music and relaxed ambiance. It was early, still, and she felt like she had the place almost to herself. She took a sip of her red wine, staring across the room, not seeing anything at all.
It had been … a day. The late arrival last night, followed by the early wake up call, the broken coffee maker in her otherwise amazing hotel room, then meeting after meeting after … you get it, maybe you’ve been there.
She had begged out of the post-meeting happy hour with her team. It was surely to be followed by a long dinner and a late night at some “can’t miss Austin bar”.
Before she had moved away, before her promotion, when she was maybe a few years younger, sure, count her in. But now, as a visitor, as their boss, as a busy working mom who got so few nights truly to herself, she’ll pass, thank you very much.
Now, away from her kids and her husband in the first time in who knows how long. The deal today, done, or pretty damn close. She had earned this night to do whatever she wanted, she needed this night to unwind.