As the crowd began to mingle, I lost track of you, walking through the room, making small talk, shaking hands, smiling, making nice with people when I would much rather already be back in my room, with you. I glanced to my right, scanning faces, and not seeing you, decided I'd make the best of it, and enjoy myself while I was here.
I talked to people I only saw at functions like this, business contacts that required a few minutes of my time, and I quickly lost track of time. It seemed about every other conversation or group of people I talked to added a fresh drink in my hand, and after a while, I was feeling very good about everything. The only thing that dampened my mood, was I was ready to take off my heels and relax.
When I saw a friend walk towards me, I thought, finally, someone I can talk to without the fake smile in place. "Erin, how are you?" I asked as I pulled her close in a hug. "It's been too long, really it has, you look incredible."
"Thanks, you too," she smiled down at me. She was a few inches taller than my 5'5" anyway, but in heels even higher than mine, she could do that, look down at me. "I'm great, I've had about three too many drinks though, so it could just be that."
"You too," I laughed, "I feel incredible right now, but if I don't get out of these damn shoes before long, I'm gonna fall over."
"Oh! Me too, I thought I was the only one suffering in silence!" she giggled. "Let's go up to your room, kick off our shoes, and raid the mini-bar, whaddaya say?"
"You read my mind," I said, and then, immediately stopped us both as I remembered. "Oh, umm, listen, Erin, I, umm, that sounds great, but, umm, I think, maybe not, maybe another night, I umm, have a headache." She turned and looked at me, and I knew immediately I was busted.
"Liar, why don't you want me to come up to your room?"
"I, umm, I told you, I'm not feeling well, and, umm, I just, well, some privacy is probably what I need, and another hot shower," I giggled to myself at the thought of another shower, with you there to greet me as I step out of this one.
"Who is he?"
"What?"
"Who has a key to your room?"
"I, uh, I don't know what you are talking about."
"Mmmmhmmm, well then, you won't mind if I come up with you."
"OK, Erin, listen," I glanced around, seeing who was around us, "God, how did you know? Am I that easy to read?"
"Know, I've just known you a long time, and that look that crossed your face a minute ago, well, it only means one thing."
I had the decency to blush, then I looked back at her, "Look, I'm sorry, can we hang out tomorrow? I swear, tomorrow."
"Nope, tonight"
"Erin, you don't understand. I mean, really, you don't understand. I'm so frustrated right now, I could explode at any time." I quickly gave a few of the more vague details of what had occurred already tonight.
"Damn, in the elevator? You KNOW there are cameras there."
"I KNOW!" I gasped, my cheeks heating at the thought.
"So, just tell him you are bringing a friend, I'm here by myself, I'm bored to death, and refuse to spend another night alone in my room. This can be a party of three, or I'll kick him out."
I looked at her dubiously, thinking she had to be joking. We'd been friends for years, had spent many a night over girl talk and bottle after bottle of wine, we knew a great deal about each other, but this was a major step. "Erin, I really value your friendship, are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Good grief, if you are this frustrated just from a few finger fucks on the way to dinner, I want to meet this man, and if you are a good enough friend to introduce me, and share for a few hours, how could I ever be upset with you?"
"You're sure?"
"Absolutely, I'm wet just from talking about it."
I shook my head, trying to make sense of the turn of events. I laughed out loud, and Erin looked at me strangely.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Oh, nothing, I just never knew so many of my friends were this freaky!"
"You mean, you've done this before?"
