“You’re on birth control,” he said as he passed it to me. “Why’d you want me to pull out?”
I focused on wiping away the stickiness to avoid his eyes. “I don’t know. I got nervous.”
“That was a rush, huh?” He yawned. “Imagine if someone had caught us? I would’ve been toast.”
I stood as my panic receded. After dressing, I kissed his nose and told him to leave his work for tomorrow and come home with me. He readily agreed.
* * *
The next morning, when I received an e-mail from David telling me how much he’d enjoyed our “friendly” walk, I knew exactly how he felt. The simplicity of our time together refreshed me. And when he asked if I wanted to do it again, I was ashamed of how little I hesitated before replying that I did.
I met him downstairs after work. Even though I’d spent the afternoon convincing myself that I wasn’t doing anything wrong, I still scanned the lobby to make sure there wasn’t anyone I knew.
As I approached, he greeted me with a wide, contagious grin. “Good evening.”
“Good evening,” I repeated back to him. When he held open the lobby door, I walked out onto the sidewalk.
“You’re nervous again,” he said, looking me over.
“Maybe a little,” I admitted.
“I don’t make you uncomfortable, do I?”
“No,” I said. “I just feel like I’m doing something wrong.”
“We’re just two friends walking,” he reminded me.
I nodded. “It’s nice, just walking.”
“Yes, just walking is nice. But I can think of nicer things.”
I blushed and bit my bottom lip. I could also think of nicer things. When he winked playfully, I pretended to search for something in my purse to hide my embarrassment.
The city was our soundtrack for the first few blocks. Honking horns mingled with conversation, a street performer’s saxophone, and chirping birds. As the sun set, the evening grew colder, and I buried my hands into the pockets of my jacket.
“What are your plans this weekend?” he asked eventually.
“I’m thinking of going to the animal shelter. It’s been a while since I volunteered.”
He smiled. “Of course. I remember that you like to walk the dogs. Where do you take them?”
“Usually just down to the water or the park. The shelter isn’t far from my apartment.”
“Lincoln Park?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be there this weekend. My parents are driving in, and we’re taking my sister’s kid to the zoo.”
“That sounds really nice.”
“We’re barbequing in the park afterward.” He went to say something else, but stopped himself.
Had he been about to invite me? Because I didn’t see how meeting his family would help when “just walking” felt like committing some kind of sin. “Will Dani be there?” I asked.
He chuckled. “I was wondering when you’d bring her up again.”
“I’m just curious.” I hazarded a casual shrug. “Like, has she met your parents?” I asked, fingering a lock of my hair.
