This story starts when he messaged her saying he would be at a business meeting in DC again and maybe they could get together for dinner (again). She enthusiastically agreed. He smiled when reading the message. It pleased him that she always seemed genuinely interested in staying in touch when possible.
He arrived in DC on a delayed flight. The business meeting was boring as predicted. But according to the text he received, the dinner was on as scheduled. The restaurant she chose was only a few blocks from his hotel and she suggested they meet at seven.
As he walked along the busy rain-soaked sidewalks, he couldn't help but fantasize a little that perhaps she would agree to walk back to his hotel after dinner. You see, it wasn't accurate to say the story started with the message he sent but indeed began many years early. There was an affair. Brief but passionate. The years passed but his desire for her had not. She had made it clear years ago that there would not be anything physical between them. But he could let his mind wander couldn't he? He could anticipate how nice it would be to flirt with her a little, to make her smile and laugh. Yes, he thought, that goal was obtainable: A few pleasant hours with a beautiful woman.
He was almost at the restaurant. The rows of windows showed a crowded bar and full tables. It was located on the street level of one of Washington's oldest hotels. He texted her: I am here.
He pushed the door open and scanned the room for her. Even before she turned, he knew it was her. She was wearing a black dress and high heels. Her hair draped over her shoulders more than the dress did. She was looking for him as well, but at the wrong entrance. When she turned, she saw him and smiled. He felt flush. She was gorgeous.
They walked towards each other and she gave him a big hug and a peck on the cheek. He held her for just a moment but it was a great start. Oh how he was going to enjoy having her attention for the evening, even if it was just dinner. Suddenly he was glad of the crowd for it meant that there was no chance of getting a table soon. He smiled at her and opened his mouth to speak but she looked past him over his left shoulder.
"There you are," H said brightly. "J, Let me introduce you to my husband."
J turned and smiled but it was wooden. That last word "husband" hung in the air. J took his hand warmly and said it was nice to meet him, wondering if there had been some sort of mistake. He was certain she had not mentioned there would be three for dinner. A dinner where flirting wasn't even on the menu it seemed.
The wait for a table was short. She had secured a reservation (of course she did) and she took the seat between the two men. The waitress was attentive and witty and that helped J begin to salvage the evening. He watched as H kept touching her husband's arm as she told a story. It was playful and loving as was the story she told about a trip they had taken together years ago. But the next story H told was one from her college days and it involved J. And as she told the story she became more animated and reached out and placed her hand on J's. His skin jumped at her touch. She left her hand there as she continued the story and J shifted it uncomfortably but didn't move it. She seemed to linger too long but her husband either did not notice or did not care. The food arrived and everyone's hands were busy with the meal. J was thankful the tablecloth hid his erection. Imagine, a mere touch of her hand aroused him so. Some of it was the surprise of it. Some was the thought of her doing it right in front of her husband. And some of it was the husband's acceptance of it.
Dinner was over and the check was paid. The conversation had been easy as each of them had stories to tell that were new to others at the table. H even started to tell a story of a time when she and J had been intimate, but stopped herself in the middle.
"Oh, I told you this one already," H said to her husband.
With that, she pushed her chair back, stood up and placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"I am off to the ladies' room and then we should leave," she said.