The light flickered as her finger traced the edge of her glass. The vodka glistened between the ice cubes in her old-fashioned as she smiled to herself. She looked into her friend's eyes; his gaze was so deep and warm. Her diamond ring sparkled as she brought the drink to her ruby lips. The remaining liquid flowed quickly into her mouth as the ice chimed against the glass.
"Did you want another?" her friend asked. He sipped his martini and then stirred it with the double olives. He sucked on one gently and then pulled it into his mouth.
She smiled and paused. She looked at her glass empty save for the slowly melting ice cubes. "No, I think if I had another that would be trouble."
They both laughed quietly, but they knew that they were already traveling down the path to trouble. They both wore wedding rings, yet they were not husband and wife. They were friends, coworkers, at a meeting in a city away from their homes.
Both friends loved their spouses, yet it seemed like the fire of passion had been long extinguished in each of their marriages, his of 10 years, her marriage a short five. Neither would have ever considered being anything but faithful, but here they were late into the evening sharing drinks in a distant bar.
She reached for his hand and squeezed it as he emptied the last of his martini. She sighed and asked if he was done for the night. "I'm ready to call it quits," she groaned, "tomorrow is going to start early and it's already late."
He agreed and rose from the bar. He unfolded an extra bill for the bartender as they both straightened the wrinkles in their clothes. As they walked from the hotel bar to the bank of elevators she playfully hugged him as they strolled towards through the lobby. Her perfume enveloped his senses as they giggled together.
With a bright chime the doors to the elevator opened, together they entered. The small space became quiet as the fading noise from the bar was pushed away by the closing doors. To his surprise, his coworker did not loosen her grip on him as they stood in silence. They felt the pull of gravity increase as the elevator slowly climbed skyward.
She smiled as she hugged him closer. He was always a good friend and listener when she poured her heart out to him. He never passed judgment on her when she complained that the spark seemed to have been snuffed out between her husband and her. She leaned her head into the empty space on his neck and shoulder. Closing her eyes and she sighed. The vodka tugged upon her.
How many years had he known her? It seemed like an eternity as he remembered when she told him she was getting married. He was happy for her. He had hoped that her marriage would continue to be new, fresh and exciting as his once was. As his hand stroked her side he wondered if marriage was such that it becomes like a nice comfortable blanket, stable, consistent and warm if you are lucky. Yet like a nice familiar blanket, it ends up not being too exciting.
The doors slid open as she loosened her grip on him as she stepped through the opening and on to her floor. She turned to wish him a good night. She paused and then stuttered,"Would you like to have a night cap?" she asked. "I mean, I know it's late and I would understand if you can't." Trouble she thought to herself, trouble.
He smiled gently, knowing he was dancing an area that he so often wished to avoid. "That sounds nice," he answered as he stepped off the elevator and onto her floor.
They walked down the hall to her room, not realizing that they were holding hands as they slowly meandered across the carpet. She fumbled through her purse as she found the key to her room. She quickly entered, glancing around as if leering eyes were watching their every move.
He entered after her and could smell the remnants of her perfume as he followed. Her room was large with one bed in the center. Her window looked out upon the city skyline. Her room was much larger than his he noticed with a touch of jealousy.
"I'm sorry, but our drinks will need to come from the minibar," she sheepishly explained. She dropped her purse and quickly kicked off her shoes.
"I'll take my $10 drop of tequila," he laughed as he loosened his tie. He opened the little refrigerator and pulled out a tiny bottle of Jose Cuervo. "It's okay, I shouldn't really have much more to drink anyhow. What would you like?"
She leaned against the window sill the city lights framing her small lithe body, "Surprise me, but don't insult me and give me the chardonnay!" she giggled.
He joined her to silently admire the glimmering city lights. They could hear the murmur of the streets that tried unsuccessfully to permeate the glass of the window. He opened her vodka and offered it to her. His hand slipped around her waist as he sipped his tequila. The city moved, even at this late hour, below them.
She took a deep draw on her vodka, emptying it half way. She shivered out of nervousness, yet still she moved closer to him as if it was the cold of the night. The thermostat on the wall read 72 degrees. A mixture of guilt and anticipation engulfed her as she looked into the city, his warm grasp firmly upon her waist.
He put down his drink and turned to her. He knew that there was no turning back. His guilt was buried underneath the warmth and comfort in his friend's arms as he embraced her tenderly. They did not say a word as they clung together, their bodies molding as one. Her face was buried into his shoulder as she felt their combined weight pull them together.
Slowly they peeled off of each other and looked deeply into the other's eyes. Her eyes are so beautiful he thought. Her eyes seemed to penetrate deeply into his soul as he met her gaze. The clock slowed, the room became silent as they leaned into each other. All she could whisper was a feeble, "But..." as their lips met. Gently, warmly their lips touched, their arms draped on each other.
"Me too..." he whispered back. Two lonely souls seeking solace in each other's embrace in a faraway city.
