"OK, I'm pulling into the parking garage," he said into his cellphone. Juggling the phone, the stick shift, plus the most hopeful erection he'd had in a while, made navigating all those hairpin turns a little tricky.
"I still can't really believe this is happening. I mean, how do I know you're really here?" He blurted it out and felt stupid instantly, as a pause hung between them on the line. She'd been chatting with him for weeks, and seemed eager to meet with him, with the way they'd steamed up every wire their words crossed. Of course she'd show up, right? Especially after she'd picked the place.
Her voice came back with understanding, and maybe a little exasperation. "That is a good point, I guess you don't know, really. Even though I'm pacing up and down in this hotel room, nervous as hell about this. I don't know if you're really coming here either."
"Oh, I am, I am. I'm pulling into a parking space now, and I'll be right in." More juggling - in neutral, parking brake, breath mint...
A giggle came across the phone. "Oh God, I think I see your headlights. Maybe you really are coming to see me."
He grinned involuntarily - it was such a nice giggle. Looking around, he realized that the spot he'd pulled into, on the third deck of the garage, faced the hotel across a narrow alleyway. "Wow, maybe you do see my headlights." He flipped the high beams on and off twice. "See that?"
The giggle again. "Yes, I do. Wow." They chuckled at each other, both hearing relief and anticipation.
As he turned off the car and pocketed his keys, just to fill the air, he said "I still don't know where you are, though."
"Well, walk over to the railing, stupid."
He got out of his car and walked forward until he was leaning against the low concrete barrier that kept his car from landing in the alley. Sure enough, off to the left and a few feet below his eye level, a room light was blinking on and off behind some opened drapes.
"I see the light going on and off, but there's just this shadowy shape in front of it."
A sigh from her end, still full of anticipation. The room light went off, and suddenly the light was in front of her and off to the side as she turned on a lamp. He saw her fully - the sight angle was perfect - and he froze solid, erection even more hopeful. He simply stood staring, noting that she had the sense to be talking on a headset, but mostly just taking in the sight of her body.
After a couple of seconds, her voice: "So... Wow?"
He hurried to agree. "That outfit really suits you. You're stunning." She did look good - business attire - she'd said she'd be coming straight from a special day.
"Thank you." Neither moved, neither spoke. He remembered scraps of the things she'd said, during the flirting that had led up to this, and again blurted out something on impulse.
