The soft clink of glasses, low murmurs of conversation, and the warm scent of fresh pasta filled the cozy Italian restaurant. It was a Friday evening, and the dim lighting cast a golden glow over the checkered tablecloths.
Mark sat alone at the bar, swirling the deep red wine in his glass, lost in thought. The week had been long and grueling, and the restaurant's quiet comfort was exactly what he needed.
Across the room, Anna laughed with her friends at a nearby table, the sound light and contagious. But soon, she excused herself, stepping outside for a breath of fresh air.
As she returned, her path collided with Mark's at the bar. A sudden movement, a splash of wine.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there," Anna gasped, eyes wide with embarrassment.
Mark chuckled, raising his glass slightly. "Don't worry about it. It's just wine. Happens all the time when you're clumsy like me."
Anna smiled, cheeks flushed. "I think I've just proven I'm clumsier."
They shared an awkward pause before Mark nodded toward the bartender.
"How about I buy you a drink to make up for it?" he offered.
Anna hesitated, then grinned. "Shouldn't I be the one buying you a new glass of wine?"
Mark shrugged with a smirk. "You can get the next one."
Their conversation flowed easily after that, like they'd known each other far longer than just a few minutes.
"So, what brings you here tonight?" Mark asked.
Anna gestured to her table. "A friend's birthday. They're over there pretending I don't exist."
Mark laughed. "Their loss is my gain."
And with that, the evening began — two strangers brought together by a spilled glass of wine and the promise of something unexpected.