It's a game we play you and I. Two people, so comfortable in each other's arms and, with each other's thoughts, pretending to be complete strangers. What is to come, a complete mystery. The only thing predetermined is the location and approximate time. Today, as always, we arrive separately. This time, it's the grocery store.
Our eyes first meet in of all sections, produce. I nonchalantly raise an cantaloupe to my nose, testing its ripeness, its readiness. You flash a mischievous half grin and run your fingers up and down one of the cucumbers in front of you. I die laughing, but keep it on the inside. I suppose I deserved that for picking such an obvious innuendo. No, our encounter will not begin that easily. I regain my composure, turn my back, and walk away.
Soon, the mundane nature of grocery shopping takes over and I find myself absent-mindedly browsing the aisles. Ramen noodles give me flash backs of college as I recall steak being a total luxury. In fact, the noodles back then were even generic. Makes me laugh to think about it now. We meet again, finding ourselves walking in the opposite direction down the same aisle. Glances and nods are exchanged but nothing more.
I find my shopping being placed on the back burner. I walk up and down the edge of the store looking down each aisle. If I happen to catch sight of you, there is always an excuse to join you. Something on each shelf is completely necessary. It's not you I'm after. Our looks begin to linger a little longer with each encounter.
I have already surveyed your left hand. The absence of a ring lets me know you're available. The charade has completely taken over by now. I find myself trying to build up the courage to ask for your number. I never do. Only glance, smile, and continue my shopping.
Then, the totally unplanned happens. I'm kneeling at the end of an aisle looking at spaghetti ingredients when you round the corner and I find myself eye level and mere inches from your waist. I inhale deeply hoping to steal a sample of your perfume, and perhaps your arousal. Perfume is all that is detected, but a 6th sense allows me to know the other is present as well. I stand, our eyes lock, and I stumble over my words. "Excuse me.", is all I can mutter and once again walk away.
I finally find myself in the checkout line. I look over to find you have decided to check out as well. I quickly inventory your basket and it seems as if we've shared a shopping list. "Great minds.", pops into my head and begin to stack my items on the conveyor belt behind the divider placed by the gentleman in front of me. Soon, the last beep is heard, my items are bagged, and I pay and head out to my car.
I watch you as you wheel your basket across the parking lot and catch you looking back at me. I have given up any hopes of getting to know you better. Perhaps we'll meet here again one day. Then, just as I'm fumbling for my keys, I feel a pair of hands bracket my waist. I twist as your arms come together around my back and pull me in until our lips crush one another with urgency. My unguided shopping cart wobbles aimlessly until it comes to rest against a parking curb. There is something about a woman being sexually aggressive that makes me instantly hard. I savor the moment only briefly. I pull back and fumble once again in my pocket for my keys. Once my door is unlocked, I reach behind me and open the door.
