“Good,” I say, licking my fork. “There will be more for me then.”
Her phone gives a gentle buzz where it’s sitting on the table and she glances at it quickly before looking back at me. “You can check that if you want.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t want to be rude but I just want to make sure there isn’t a problem with Hollie or anything.” She picks it up quickly and the expression on her face turns to one of mild unease.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she says, turning the phone upside down and placing it back on the table.
“It’s obviously something, you’re not very good at hiding your feelings. Is everything okay with Hollie?”
“Oh, I’m sure she’s fine it wasn’t that.” She chews on her bottom lip a moment, giving me the urge to reach over and pull it away from the ministrations of her teeth. “It was actually Tyler. The guy I went on a date with last week?”
My body immediately goes rigid. The last thing I want to hear about is her date. “Have you decided to give him a second chance?” I ask through clenched teeth.
“I don’t think so. I just don’t know what to say to him. I don’t want to hurt his feelings and we have class together once a week. I guess I’m not very good at this type of thing. It’s been a week since we went out and I’ve just been dodging his questions about going out on a second date. I mean, he was nice, there really isn’t a good reason I shouldn’t go out with him again.”
How about the fact that I’ll punch him in the face?
Now, all I’m thinking about is her taking that beer she didn’t want and I’m worried that she’s going to go out with this guy again just because it would be easier than having a confrontation with him.
“Vi, you don’t need a reason not to go out with him again. If you aren’t feeling it, you can just let him know that you think you’re better off as friends. Don’t let him pressure you into anything.”
“I’m not.” Her tone is defensive, and I sense that I’m overstepping my bounds here so I decide to go the playful route. Well, I’m hoping it will come off as playful to her while I’m one hundred percent serious.
“If this guy gives you any trouble, you just let me know and I’ll hunt him down and they’ll never find his body.” Luckily, she seems to think I’m joking and laughs. I decide to put this conversation to the side for now but I fully plan to follow up later and make sure she didn’t have any trouble getting rid of this guy.
I notice that we’ve finished the wine I’ve brought out and grab us another bottle. Even though dessert is long gone, we’re still talking about anything and everything under the sun. We’re having a friendly argument about the best book-to-movie adaptations when she admits to me she’s never seenStrangers on a Train.
“How is that even possible?” I ask. “It’s a classic. One of Hitchcock’s greatest films.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever even seen a Hitchcock film.”
“What is this blasphemy you speak? His films are some of the best ever made.”
“Hey, I’m a student of literature remember? Not a film student.”
“Well, this is something we’re going to have to rectify immediately.” I stand and grab her hand, leading her into the living room. “It’s just a good thing for you I’m cultured enough for both of us.” It wasn’t until I stood up that I realized how tipsy the two beers and two bottles of wine had really made me. I’m not drunk, I’m still steady on my feet, but I can tell that my inhibitions are lowering. Unfortunately for me, it’s the part of me that knows I should keep my distance from Violet that seems to be diminishing. I’ve had more fun this evening than I’ve had in a long time and I don’t want the night to end.
In a split-second decision I grab another bottle of wine from the fridge and collect both of our glasses, carrying them into the living room. I stop slightly behind the couch so that Violet can’t see me yet and spend a few moments taking her in. She’s sitting near the middle of my couch, fiddling with her skirt so that it’s lying around her legs just right before slipping off her shoes and tucking her feet delicately underneath her. Standing behind her affords me a glimpse down the front of her shirt so that my eyes rest on her cleavage and I’m immediately back to being hard. I can see the lacy edges of her bra from where I’m standing and, for just a second, I let myself imagine slowly sliding my hands up the front of her shirt and cupping her beautiful breasts, feeling her nipples tightening underneath all that lace. I only feel the slightest bit of guilt as I drag my eyes away and up to her face. There’s a redness on her cheeks and chest that indicate she’s not immune from the effects of the evenings wine either. That, more than anything else, tells me that nothing could happen between Violet and me tonight. I would never take advantage of her in that way.
I move to the front of the couch and instead of sitting at the end, as far away from her as possible, I sit right in the middle next to her, our legs almost touching. I pour us each another glass and recognize the fact that our closeness is a definite indicator that I shouldnotbe having any more alcohol. Still...
“Here you go.” I hand her a glass and she greedily takes another two gulps. “Whoa, slow down there. I’ve got plenty more in the fridge, I promise.”
She gives me a smile, “Sorry, I’m just... having a really good time.”
“Me too,” I say softly. I’ve gotten the feeling all night that she’s been enjoying my company but it’s nice to have the confirmation. Though we’ve known each other for years, we rarely, if ever, spend any one-on-one time together. The unfortunate thing for me is that it’s only making my crush quickly turn into a straight up obsession. Taking another sip of my wine, I decide that’s a problem for tomorrow. Tonight, I’m going to enjoy my evening with a woman who I’m quickly developing feelings for.
I find the movie on one of the many streaming services I’m paying way too much money for and start the film. It isn’t long before my eyes are wandering from the screen to the beautiful woman at my side. I can see her hardened nipples straining against the fabric of her shirt and I immediately offer her the blanket that’s always draped on the back of the couch.
“Thanks,” she says, pulling the soft fabric over her lap. “Here, we can share.” Before I can say anything she’s rearranged the blanket so that it’s covering not only her legs but mine as well. While settling the blanket, her hand accidentally brushes across the raging erection that her nearness and familiarity brings. I have to use every bit of resolve that I have to suppress my groan. She tries to test my self-control further by scooting closer so now the tips of her knees are resting on my thigh.
I watch as her breath seems to quicken, causing her breasts to rise and fall in rapid succession and, for the first time ever, I’m wondering if this attraction isn’t one sided.
She’s studiously watching the screen but I can’t seem to take my eyes off of her and her flushed cheeks as she takes another sip of wine.
It’s just the alcohol you idiot, she doesn’t want anything to do with your crotchety old ass. Just as I’m thinking that, her head slowly falls to my shoulder.