Fuck.
Diane and Sarah had been bugging me to come over for dinner. I usually did so once a week, but lately, I'd been making excuses not to attend. Yes, work had been crazy, but not crazy enough that I couldn't make at least one meal.
Guilt kept me away.
I couldn't say that I was falling for Maria yet, but I knew if our dates continued down the path they were taking, I could easily see it happening. I couldn't imagine loving someone as much as Hannah, and I probably never would, but something about Maria made me see the future I envisioned slowly revealing itself again. The future that I thought would happen with Hannah.
I couldn't look Sarah and Diane in the eye, knowing I was courting another woman as a possible girlfriend. Not a fuck buddy or someone I had an understanding with...but a potential exclusive partner. Admitting that to them meant we were entering a new phase in my life, not only with myself but the two people I considered family. I was still figuring out howto navigate it, and until I knew where things were going with Maria, there wasn't a need to tell Sarah and Diane. I didn't know why I felt like I was doing something wrong, especially when things with Maria felt so...right. So effortless and familiar.
Maria was a complex creature. Completely different from the women I usually gravitated towards. She wasn't all sweet and gushy. She was flirty and bold yet aloof at the same time. She didn't play games or constantly check in with me—even though one of my gripes was that she didn't reach out enough.
That day that I didn't hear from Maria for hours worried me more than I liked to admit. I was afraid she ghosted me again. When she called later that night, I had to palm my growing erection as her sleepy voice filled my head.
The more I thought about Maria, the more I missed her. She mystified and upturned my orderly life, yet I'd never been more enchanted. I pulled up our text thread and thumbed through it. I hadn't seen her since our date, and our phone conversations were no longer cutting it for me. Our date was this Saturday, but I didn't care. I needed to see her. So, instead of calling Diane like I should have, I grabbed my jacket and locked up the office.
When I strolled into Maria's salon, the same receptionist was seated at the front desk. I belatedly wondered if she recognized me.
Hi," she cheerfully greeted.
Her smile froze and her brow furrowed slightly before clearing. Her eyes flickered down me quickly before she met my stare again. Her smile remained fixed, but her eyes twinkled in amusement.
Yeah, she recognized me.
"Do you have an appointment, or are you waiting for someone?"
Was she mocking me?
I kept eye contact with her, refusing to feel shame. "I was wondering if Maria was in?"
Her smile widened. "Maria? Yes, I think she's in. Whom shall I say is enquiring?"
I had the distinct feeling she knew exactly who I was.
"Brian. I'm a-a-friend."
Her mouth quirked as she rose from her seat.
"Follow me," she drawled.
She walked across the floor towards a door at the back. Heads turned to trace my movements, and I swore I caught a few knowing smirks from some of the staff. Instead of feeling self-conscious, my chest swelled in pleasure. Maria obviously disclosed who I was to her colleagues, and given their not-so-subtle reaction to me, I took it to mean that whatever she told them was in my favor.
"Knock, knock," the bubbly receptionist announced as she opened the door.
My heart calmed when the object of my thoughts was revealed to me.There she was.
Maria turned her attention from typing, a welcoming smile already forming on her face.
"Hey, Rach, what's u…" Her voice petered out when she spied me lurking. Suprise lightened her eyes. And was that a spark of pleasure?
"Brian!" Maria exclaimed.
She stood, her hands smoothing down her thighs before she touched her hair. "What are you doing here?" I couldn't tell by her tone whether she was happy to see me.
"I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd pop in to see you," I lied.
Maria touched her hair again before glancing at her computer screen and then back to me.
"Oh," was all she said. Awkwardness seeped into the air.
