Matt exited the shower, water cascading off his body and drenching the bath mat.
"Fuck! " Matt muttered to himself.
He was nervous and in his own head for the night ahead. Matt toweled himself off quickly and took a deep breath.
"It's going to be ok, it's just Emily. " Matt said. More to try and convince himself than anything.
Matt took a look at himself in the mirror. His dark brown hair and eyes greeted him back. He had stayed in decent shape over the years, his broad shoulders still had definition and his waist tapered nicely into his v muscle that was still well defined. Guess those years of swimming in college had paid off.
BUZZZZZZ, BUZZZZZZZ! Matt's phone skirted across the counter as he received the text. Matt's heart leapt into his throat when he saw the name flash across the banner of his phone,
Emily.
"
Can't wait to see you tonight! It's been too long
! " Matt and Emily had been friends for years. Inseparable at points, to the annoyance of almost everyone that knew them. It got to the point if one arrived without the other, people assumed something terrible must have happened.
There had always been undeniable chemistry between Matt and Emily but the timing had never been right. One was always dating someone else, and though they routinely flirted to a point that could be considered pushing boundaries they had never acted upon those feelings. In all the years that Matt and Emily had known each other they had only kissed once.
They were both single in their early twenties. It was a halloween night full of drunken memories, so blurry and cloudy that you could barely remember what was real and what wasn't. Matt had been dressed as a doctor. Emily a 50's pinup girl. They had woken up, confused and cautious, not sure what had happened. The decision was made to remain friends as that was more important to them at the time.
Well today was different. Matt was newly single, he had recently moved to a town outside of metro Chicago, for a new job. Emily and Matt had met at Northwestern University, Emily had been quicker to leave Evanston for the city life than Matt. Emily had been dating a guy in college who at least in Matt's eyes had closed the door forever on Emily. Low and behold as most men are, he was a fucking moron and let her walk away. Emily now lived less than 20 minutes from Matt's new apartment and they had been in the process of setting a meet up.
Matt had chosen the location, he'd always been more of a social butterfly than Emily so even in his short time being in the new area, he had found some good local watering holes that his coworkers had shown him. It was a nice little spot called
Railcar.
It served gourmet slider burgers, but more importantly the bartenders poured good drinks and if you took care of them they took care of you. It never got too rowdy. Was upbeat enough where you never felt it was empty, but subdued enough that you could have a conversation at normal volume.
As Matt approached the bar he silently cursed himself it was December and there was no parking anywhere close. Matt circled the block a couple of times until he found a spot a full 3 blocks away from the bar. It was a balmy 20 degrees F outside with a windchill of -12. Windy City indeed. Matt wrapped himself in his peacoat and trudged his way to the bar. The first few flakes of fresh snow began to drift down as he entered.
Matt was the first one to arrive, this had been by design as they had agreed to meet at 7pm and it was 6:45. Matt needed one beer just to calm his nerves. He picked a nice u-booth for the two of them to sit. Waved at the bartender who recognized him and brought him over some new beer he was excited about.
The bartender was telling him all about it, but Matt was hardly listening. He took a big swallow feeling the cold liquid fill his body. His nerves begin to calm themselves. Nothing like a bit of liquid courage.
Matt had tried to pull out all the stops to look good for Emily tonight, he wanted to impress her. Matt had even put product in his hair. Something he almost never did, which all but guaranteed Emily would make a comment on it.
Matt kept his eyes fixated on the door, waiting for her to arrive. As soon as he saw her enter he knew it was a fool's dream to think he could match her beauty.
Emily was wearing a loose knit white sweater that hung off just above her right shoulder, showing the perfect amount of skin. It was somehow loose up top but tight around her waist. It hugged her body perfectly. As Matt's gaze lowered she was wearing a simple pair of jeans that just seemed to hug every curve of her body perfectly, and there was a small gap from her sweater to her jeans that showed off her toned midriff. Her auburn hair hung delicately around her shoulders. She looked left and then looked right, searching for Matt.
Matt waved his hand so she would see him. When she met his gaze Matt's skin prickled up, like someone had just given him the chills. Matt got out of the booth and gave her a hug.
"So great to see you! It's been way too long! " Matt said enthusiastically.
"Oh my god, I know I've missed you so much! Did you put shit in your hair? Who are you trying to impress! " Emily laughed at Matt's obvious embarrassment
"Don't get me wrong, it looks great. You look great! " Emily said warmly as she slid into the booth.
Matt slid in next to her, Emily slid closer, their legs touching underneath the table. Firm enough to let Matt know it wasn't an accident, but delicate enough that she could play it off innocently if she wanted. She always was the ultimate tease.
Suddenly there were two tequila shots in front of them, Matt glared at Emily. This used to be their calling card when they were younger.
"Oh come on! Let's do it for old times Matt! "
Matt laughed and smiled.
"Cheers! Great to see you! "
As the night wore on Matt was lost in the infectious presence of Emily, her smile, her laugh, everything about her was intoxicating to him. They talked for hours, catching up on things that weren't important. Everything was just easy.
Emily's hair got stuck in the corner of her mouth, she tried to blow it out several times but to no avail. Matt gently took his left hand and brushed her hair away. Tucking it behind her ear. He cupped her chin with his hand and brought his fingers into his palm caressing her face softly and gently. Emily's eyes closed at his touch.
When she opened them Matt was staring directly into hers. She felt like his gaze was peering directly into her body, that the only thing he saw at the moment was her, and only her. Emily subconsciously gripped the bar cushion with both hands as she felt a wave of heat rush through her body.
"Stooooopppppppp! You can't look at me like that. " Emily whined.
