The Move

[BeingInTheWorld]

It all started with “the move.”

It was a chance to start over, or more accurately, reboot. She would be in a city where her job was located. They would buy a house equidistant from each of their jobs, in the neighborhood she really wanted to move to.

Her exercise efforts were paying off. She was beginning to build strength in her knee, and was losing weight, too. Her boss was working on a permanent position for her, and that would come with a big raise. She was even starting to connect sexually with her husband again.

It was a Friday night, and they spent their day looking at houses. They had an AirBnB in their new neighborhood, and used the opportunity to explore the nightlife. At dinner, he complimented her on her growing confidence. She insisted that he was confusing confidence and optimism. They delved into the subject, discussing similarities, differences, intersections, counter-examples. After dinner, they ordered drinks. By the time the check came, the question was still not resolved to either’s liking.

As he signed the check, he made a proposal. “I think it is confidence, and here is how we will know for sure. Let’s go to the bar we saw by the AirBnB. And let’s go in separately. You go in, and I’ll follow 15 minutes later. We’ll pretend not to know each other. If it is confidence, by the end of the night you will find an attractive man to buy you a drink, and you will get his phone number. If not, I’ll concede. It is just optimism.”

She objected, insisting no one would buy her a drink. “Besides,” she said, “even if someone did, it wouldn’t be fair to trick them like that.”

“It is not tricking’” he countered, “but just an extended form of flirting. And it would turn me on to see you desired by someone else. You still have it, you know.”

“If no one buys you a drink by the time I arrive, I’ll buy you that drink and you can try to get my phone number. Maybe if you are lucky, you could even steal a kiss before the end of the night.”

This made her smile and roll her eyes. “Ok, but I’m staying for more than one drink. And you better be prepared to buy me a gin and tonic with top shelf gin.”

We drove to the bar and parked. The engine quieted, and she sat quietly in the passenger’s seat. After a few seconds, she audibly exhaled, undid her seat belt, and leaned over to kiss me. “I’ll see you in 15 minutes. It’s optimism.” She opened the door and left. He watched her walk into the bar, and glanced at the clock.

After 5 minutes, a text arrived.

Feeling awkward.

He replied.

Look around the room. Make eye contact. Smile. Look back down at your phone if nervous.

A few seconds later, another text.

OK Tnx.

After 15 minutes elapsed, he decided to go in. Then he stopped. He would give her just a few more minutes.
He walked through the door, and his eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light. He saw her at the end of the bar. Sure enough, she had a drink and was chatting with a man. He was maybe 10 years younger, but it was hard to tell. Well-dressed, not bad looking. She didn’t notice his arrival—her attention was elsewhere.

He took a seat at a tall table away from the bar, and waited. He pretended to look at a menu, and then pretended to look at his phone as he stole glances in her direction. He watched her body language. She seemed so comfortable, so natural.

She set her glass down and walked towards the bathroom. As she walked past him, their eyes met. She smiled but didn’t stop. She disappeared behind the restroom door.

After a minute, a text arrived.

Got my drink. Still need number.

He texted back.

Confidence not optimism. Get the number.

She re-appeared and walked past him without any acknowledgement. He watched her say something to the man. After a minute or so, he retrieved his phone. They both looked at each other and their phones. She then leaned into him, her lips by his ear. He in turn wrapped his arms around her. She returned the hug. As they broke their embrace, he said something. She froze, and then leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. It was a friendly kiss, but one that suggested there could be another in the future. She turned and walked away from him, a smile on her face. She walked past his table without making eye contact, and out the door.

He left the bar a few minutes later. She was already in the car, seat belt on, a smile on her face. “I got his number” she said. “I guess you were right. It was confidence.” He looked at her. “Yes it was. God you are so sexy—you still have it.”

He started the car, and the radio came on. She leaned forward and turned the radio off. “You should probably know.” He looked at her. “I know it wasn’t part of the game, but you should know. He has my number, too.”

[afagehi7]

It's going to be a slow burn!

[SamWarrens]

A great beginning. Keep it coming.

[Whosbeensleeping]

Good one!

[SimpleEnigma]

Nice start. The wheels are beginning to turn.