We had been texting for a few weeks before we finally met in person. I knew everything about you: your favorite color, your family's weird holiday traditions, your favorite places to be kissed, where you wanted to travel. When our work schedules finally lined up and we got to meet I was excited. You were too.
We decided to take an extra two day layover for work in a city. We could have easily gone to one another's house, but figured why not make this a fun getaway. We both work hard and enjoy working, but everyone needs to let loose every now and then. We settled on Chattanooga since it was close enough from Atlanta, where I'd spent my work week in conferences and easy to catch a flight. It also has lots to do outside and with the weather warming up we wanted to climb.
You walked into the hotel lobby wearing a button down and a blazer, your typical work attire. But since you weren't at work you had a backwards hat on with sandals. It was so unapologetically you and I smiled as I grabbed my bag and walked up to meet you. You waved from across the room and smiled, pulling me in for a hug. Touching you, even just that casual hug send chills through my whole body. "How was your flight?" You asked. "Crowded, but I'm here now. It's great to finally meet you," I smiled.
We got checked into the room and decided dinner and drinks were a requirement. Friday nights in a college town require an hour long wait, so we sat at the bar talking and making fun of college football reporters asking stupid questions after spring inner squad games. Finally our table was ready and we talked for hours, overstaying the normal societal time allotted for a meal, but the waiter didn't mind because we ordered drinks and weren't college kids so we would tip well. Neither of us were drunk, but maybe a little buzzed, and happy to be together.
We walked along the river for a while looking at the stars and talking about nothing and everything. It was perfect. We had talked about sex, and having sex with each other, but we hadn't kissed yet. And neither of us was in any hurry for anything physical to happen. It was so natural. I stopped to point out a constellation and you smiled at me. When I turned to keep walking you put your hand in mine and we walked along the river walk together. A few years ago this would have made me nervous, holding hands with another woman in public, but I'd grown to accept myself and be okay with minor shows of affection in public.
We stopped under a bridge and listened to traffic overhead. It was the first time all night I was aware we were surrounded by thousands of other people in this city. I had been so enamored with you that I hadn't thought about it. Cities usually make me anxious, but I hadn't felt that with you around. I told you about this realization and leaned in for a kiss. I was just going to make it a quick one but you grabbed the back of my head and kissed me back softly. You smiled about halfway through the kiss and I grabbed your hips and pulled you closer to me. Chills ran down my back for the second time that evening. "We should get back to the hotel" you suggested with a grin.