Meg was exhausted. Another website launched, and while she didn't have to go into work in the middle of the night, the little tweaks the customer kept making were frustrating.
She didn't have time to see Alex all week, so she invited him over Friday night. She got out of work late, and he was waiting at her door when she got home. He held a box of pizza and a brown paper bag.
"What's in the bag?" she asked as she let him in.
"French fries. And dessert."
"You bringing me dessert," she said, raising her eyebrows. "That's new."
"Well, it's not freshly baked, but I think you'll be happy."
Meg took the bag from him and looked inside. Wrapped in saran wrap were two large M&M cookies.
Alex looked around as he set the pizza on the table.
"This is a nice place," he said. "Although it's a little small."
"Yeah, well, it's just me. And I don't have to fit a drum set in my living space."
She got out two plates, two glasses of water, napkins, and ketchup for the fries. They sat at her small folding table, and Meg helped herself to two slices of pizza.
"I'm glad they finally let you come home," Alex said. "I was beginning to worry."
Meg shrugged. "I like the work. It's just that some weeks are more stressful than others. I'm sure you've had DJ gigs that don't go perfectly."
"Yeah, some," Alex said. "But I'm good at going with the flow."
"Do you get any bridezillas?"
"Some," Alex said. "I don't know, whenever they yell at me, I just let them get out their steam, and then I do my job."
"Good for you, not letting them bug you," Meg said. "I hope I'm never a bridezilla. I think I'll be happy if everyone just has a good time, you know?"
Alex smiled. "I can't see you becoming a bridezilla."
Meg blushed and took another bite of pizza.
"So how was your week?" she asked him.
Alex told her about Joel's new girlfriend. Alex hadn't actually met her, but he'd heard all the love songs Joel had been composing. Meg laughed as she ate, relaxing in Alex's company. He finished eating first and put his hand on her thigh as she finished.
She cleaned up the dishes and put away the leftovers while Alex hovered behind her, putting his hands in her front pockets as she stood at the sink.
"You're very distracting," she admonished him.
"I'm just waiting for a tour of the rest of your apartment."
"There's only one room left to see."
"I know. And I really want to see it."
Meg turned and kissed him. He slid his hands into her back pockets this time and pressed his weight against her. Then he suddenly picked her up, his arms holding her torso firmly against his. He carried her to the bedroom, and she giggled as he laid her on the bed.
"I never thought I could miss someone as much as I miss you when you're not with me," Alex told her as he looked into her eyes. "I could spend every night with you and still I would never tire of your voice."
Meg blushed as he held her gaze. He pulled a hair away from her face and then kissed her tenderly. His kisses became more needy, and his tongue parted her lips. She wrapped her arms around his back, holding him tight against her.
By the time they came up for air, she was dizzy, even though she was lying down.