There I was, minding my own business. Well, actually, this happened at work, and I was minding the company's business. We were talking about the project, and got distracted with the details of the latest results, even though one of the people I was talking with had his coat on already and was clearly on his way out. The guys who were expecting him to go to the restaurant with them got tired of fidgeting by the door, and came by my desk to look for him. Lurking hungrily. Of course we had to show them my results, too. *grin* After a few minutes, I remembered my manners, and said, "We can talk about this later. You were on your way out."
The fellow who takes a certain perverse delight in advocating cannibalism (among other things) smirked at me. "We were on our way to lunch. But we can wait, if you're willing to stand in." He bared his teeth briefly.
"I thought you were a vegetarian?"
"I'm willing to make exceptions for particular cuts of meat." He looked me up and down. It wasn't quite cheerful enough to be a leer.
It was surprisingly challenging not to flinch. To keep my voice light and steady as I said, "Sorry. Mine's reserved." (This is misleading in at least two directions, but I have no intention of sorting him out.) We looked at each other for a long time. It wasn't a staring contest. It wasn't anything like flirtation. I'm not sure what it was.
The fellow who takes a certain perverse delight in advocating cannibalism (among other things) smirked at me. "We were on our way to lunch. But we can wait, if you're willing to stand in." He bared his teeth briefly.
"I thought you were a vegetarian?"
"I'm willing to make exceptions for particular cuts of meat." He looked me up and down. It wasn't quite cheerful enough to be a leer.
It was surprisingly challenging not to flinch. To keep my voice light and steady as I said, "Sorry. Mine's reserved." (This is misleading in at least two directions, but I have no intention of sorting him out.) We looked at each other for a long time. It wasn't a staring contest. It wasn't anything like flirtation. I'm not sure what it was.