A friend and I found ourselves at a small café intimately surrounded by the dimming, golden pink glow of sunset. We watched the hustle and bustle of people around us as they made their way through the twilight towards whatever destinations awaited them. Today was the day. Today I would tell him and finally have the answer I had been searching for since the first time I had set eyes on him. We had been playing this game of round-about for far too long. I certainly wasn't the type of girl to be afraid to go after what I wanted, and I definitely wasn't made for beating around the bush.
"What is this really about? You didn't really ask me here to catch up. I know you." His dark eyes narrowed suspiciously as he watched me from across the table.
"I suppose...it might have something to do with the fact that I've been hot for you since the first time I saw you." My direct response left a shocked expression on his face that would have been comical had the situation not been so critical. His lips twitched as if he were trying to decide just how seriously to take my bold statement. When my expression never wavered from its intent, his took on a new uncertainly. A slow smile worked its way onto my lips when I saw his eyes slowly peruse me up and down with new understanding...perhaps this was going to be better than even *I* had anticipated.
"Why did you never tell me?"
I shrugged, the perfect picture of nonchalance, as the words that could change everything came forth. Words underscored with uncertainty, not questioning outright but their intent obvious. "I could never be quite sure if you felt the same way."
"...Just how...hot are we talking about here?" he asked low, his voice husky. In my head my eyes rolled in exasperation. He was such a guy. He couldn't really have missed my point so entirely could he?
"That isn't fair, you didn't answer my question...I can't tell you everything while you say nothing." I spoke as if explaining the moves to a chess game.
"You never asked me a question," he stated, his eyes sparkling with amusement. The feigned innocence so perfectly crafted I knew he understood exactly what I had been asking.
"Was it all in my head, were you ever interested?" I asked pointedly, surveying his features for the truth.
"No." He said it so evenly my heart sank but I kept my chin up and my eyes trained on his. The severe expression he wore broke into a playful grin as he continued. "It wasn't all in your head. I was always interested."
"Ass," I slapped him playfully on the arm, relief flooding me. I hadn't known until those last seconds that I had been holding my breath, preparing myself for the rejection I had anticipated from the beginning. I had never had a problem feeling vulnerable around any male. I knew what I had to offer; something they all found appealing...but he had always eluded the charm and assets that brought others like moths to a flame. He returned my flirtatious banter and double entendre but nothing else, leaving me both confused and at a loss. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why didn't *you* tell *me*?"
"That's your job," I scoffed.
"We're in an advanced age," he defended. "Besides...you have too many guys vying for the right to that *job*. Plus, I didn't want to ruin anything. I figured if you wanted something from me you would let me know. You always were a woman that knew her own mind. Am I right?"
"I believe I've proven that."
He chuckled softly, "Now back to what we were saying...when you say hot...what exactly are you saying?
My meandering smile returned, the seductiveness coming into play, "Hot as in...I want to jump you every time we're close to each other. It takes quite a bit of willpower not to." The sweetly innocent tone I ended with could have easily been mistaken for a comment on the weather. Any casual passersby would have been quite perplexed at the hungry look the words evoked in the man across from me. The heat in his gaze had me reaching smoothly for my drink.