Authors comments:
This story is based on several fantasies of mine, this is my second attempt.
And so it continues...
Dear Colette,
Well doesn't time fly! It seems like only yesterday we were sitting outside the C-M Cafe sipping milkshakes and discussing my love life or lack of it! At the time, I could have sworn I would never feel the desire for the more 'carnal' aspects of life. The thrill of hot, damp flesh on flesh would be lost to me forever. Jeez, how melodramatic I was!
Okay, I remember that Jules had dumped me a few days before and I'd been completely devastated. No reasons - nothing. Just gone. What a bastard! Anyway, you helped me so much just by being there. But I couldn't accept that there would ever be anyone else. After you returned to Nice, I withdrew into my shell again. Wouldn't go out socially or God forbid - date, despite your nagging.
For 6 months, I stayed in, looking through pictures, running through conversations in my head, trying to pinpoint why. Why couldn't he love me? What was wrong with me? Did I have some horrible flaw that made me unlovable? Yes, it was that bad. Until last week. Well where do I begin? As you know, the company I work for won a major contract (helped by my excellent negotiating skills - of course ) and Head Office was impressed. So a champagne dinner for all and talks of big bonuses come April.
Well, I couldn't get out of it, plus it was a good opportunity to network, what with other companies attending. Yes, they were downright cheap and hosting a meet and greet of potential customers as well as a "you done good" party. But it was all work. And at this point work seemed to be all I could rely on. Remember how excited I was when I called you up screaming about that dress? Oh yeah, never thought I could carry off a dress like that, but the sales assistant had been very persuasive. A semi-transparent wrap around marine top teamed with floaty black skirt to show off my ample assets, but discreet enough with a jacket to wear to an office 'do'. Well, lets just say I felt daring that day!
I hadn't felt that daring since Jules left and I liked the feeling. An hour into the party though, my balloon had burst. Feeling downright awkward in the same room as those gorgeous, thin, teens in spray-on micro-minis. Sighing, I kept desperately trying to suck my tummy in. OK, you know me; it was off to a corner with a plate of nibbles and some liquid refreshment. That's when it happened. Ever been punched in the gut? No? Well that's how I felt when I first saw HIM. Poleaxed. Breathless. Hmm, cliche after cliche popped into my head. "...across a crowded room..." and all that jazz. Must have had my mouth hanging open, drooling or something.