So the dish of the day my neighbor blathered endlessly about after he came home from work was that this friend was coming in town for a weekend before leaving to fly into his next destination for business.
We'll call his friend "Utah". Utah is where his friend got transferred to for work and where he was trying to get transferred out of. "Utah" was flying in on a Friday in two weeks. I was asked if I could let Utah in for him to his place, better, could I pick him up at the airport. Sure. I didn't have anything scheduled that would interfere and told him I would keep my schedule clear in case he got in late. I have job flexibility that he doesn't have, I was happy to help out.
A few days before picking up Utah I had a client who was trying to wrangle her sons, ages 1, 3, and 9, for a quaint family photo.
As time is money, my client was freaking out that she couldn't get the younger ones settled and my tricks had failed. I told her to go ahead and take a breather; I could hang out for a while, no problem. I did not have another client after her so I was not pressed for time. I mindlessly started playing with her kids building blocks. The kids came over and started playing with them as well. I got some amazing photos of them building together and my client was very pleased.
I stood between the security exit and the escalator with a blown up picture of the building blocks spelling out "Utah". Staring off into space, I didn't notice that Utah had found me.
"Kitty," he inquired.
"He has you calling me Kitty does he?"
"What should I call you by," Utah asked.
"Kitty is fine, but most people call me Cat."
"Can I combine the two," he mused.
"Sure, just for you Utah." I extended my hand, "Kitty Cat here to take you to your weekend destination."
We shook hands and I sized him up. Utah was terribly handsome. He was tall, had dark curly hair that came to his shoulders. Behind his beard he had a youthful cuteness. Well groomed and the scent he wore was intoxicating. (Yes I have a thing for guys that smell good.)
Utah and I kept giving each other glances while we waited for his bag. We made small talk in the car. Apparently Utah talked frequently to my strange bedfellow via e-mail. Who knew? Utah said he had heard a lot about me. He asked me questions about photography, expressing an interest into taking it up as a hobby.
Making our way into the apartment I gave a quick tour, showed him his room. I let him know it would be 5:30- 5:32 spot on when he should expect his friend's arrival home from work. Food was in the fridge, beer too if he wanted it. Had I gone through everything I was expected to go over for Utah's drop off? Check, check, check. I told Utah to relax and where to find me if he needed anything.
"Will we not be seeing anymore of each other during my stay Kitty Cat?"
"How much more of me do you want to see," I prodded with a wink.
Utah seemed to enjoy that response, giving me a huge smile.
"I'm not sure what he has planned for the two of you this weekend. He didn't mention I was in the equation for anything other than your arrival."
"I hope that's not true," Utah said before extending his hand. "If I don't see you again, it was wonderful to meet you."
"Likewise Utah," I said during our goodbye handshake. I smiled and let myself out.
It was all of 10 minutes later when I heard a faint knock on my door. I saw Utah trying to retreat back into his quarters, but I caught him.
"I didn't take that long to answer," I proclaimed.
"I don't want to bother you," Utah explained, "I have just one question that I wanted to ask before he comes home."
"Come in Utah," I said and pulled him by the arm inside.
He stood across from me in my hallway.
"The two of you are not together," Utah stated.
"Was that the question, or...." I asked confused.
"A conformation, you two are not together."
"We're friends. I tried to be more, but he didn't want to, so we've moved past it."
"Yeah," Utah agreed, "He's said basically the same thing."
I was hurt thinking that Utah knew more about my neighbor's feelings about me than I did.
"I had asked him if you were attractive and he said yes. I thought he was just being polite," Utah said with a nervous grin.
I was perplexed, "Should I be offended or feel complimented right now Utah?"
"Complimented," Utah laughed and came over and hugged me, which caught me off guard and turned me on a little. He smelled so good.
Utah stepped back from me and said, "I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable or anything, but I think you are gorgeous. Red hair, it's kind of a weakness for me."
Yes, definitely liking Utah more and more. "Between all the stories he's told me about you, and just from meeting you I can tell what a fun girl you are. I would like to spend some time getting to know with you while I'm here, even if it is not "scheduled" time."
I must have been blushing. He noticed.
"You're so damn cute." Utah stammered and then hesitated before asking, "You don't have to, but can I see you with your hair down?"
Now I was very turned on.
I unclipped my hair and it fall down past my shoulders. Utah came closer to touch it.
"Curls, too," he said. "You're definitely the type of girl I would go for."