Story
Jairo and Xenia met at the Rooftop Bar of the Empire Hotel at the very start of a classic NYC Summer. It was a Friday night, and the rooftop was bustling with the frenzy of those who had just gotten off work and those who were freshly home for the summer. That dreaded NYC humidity hadn't yet settled in, and you could actually enjoy the skyline without sweat trickling down your neck. It was the perfect recipe for a memorable night. Everyone was in a good mood-- except Xenia.
Having arrived just a hair too-late, Xenia got caught up with the doorman downstairs and a slew of under-age college kids hours home from school trying to pass off their fake out-of-state ID's. Awful. God awful is all that she could think as she much preferred the low-key nightlife of Brooklyn to that of Midtown. And just as she was about to send her, "Sorry, can't make it. Doorman & kids are being a mess" text to her friends upstairs, the doorman suddenly pointed directly at her and asked, "Hey, you alone?" And with that she nodded and headed upstairs-- face full of attitude and frustration.
Xenia headed upstairs and greeted all of her girlfriends, mindfully ignoring the men since she thought the evening was a girl's night. She had no idea who the men were or the fact that they were actually part of her group. Her rudeness did not go unnoticed and Jairo took note. He did not like this girl. "What gives?"
Soon after, everyone went to the bar where in true Xenia fashion-- she began daydreaming. "Midtown. F'in midtown. I better not get a ticket" is all that she could think as a traffic jam of thirsty bar goers piled up behind her. Who daydreams at a bar? ... The bride. That's who! Not long after, Jairo breaks her thoughts and offers to buy her a drink. "Are you afraid of the bartender? He's not going to bite. What do you want?" She panics, gets defensive and orders a Corona Beer knowing good and well that she much prefers local brews. "What did he just say to me?" There was no denying that Jairo was peeved and Xenia was on edge. They awkwardly cheer, and go about their merry way until friends nudge them to start speaking again. It was a clunky start to what ultimately would turn into forever.
Moments later, they wiped the slate clean and re-introduced themselves only to find out that they have tons in common. All of this time, there was only 1 degree of separation between the two, yet here they were at a rooftop bar re-doing their first impressions. The time was right. The night ended with Jairo and Xenia literally racing off to their first date. Him in a bright red speeder affectionately known as Iron Man and her in a jet-black cruiser-- Nightrider. They got to the Chimi Truck in Corona, NY and enjoyed Chimis, Carne Frita, Tostones, Passionfruit Juice and Rojitas.
...The rest is history.