My alarm went off at 5 (a sleep in for me, even on a Saturday). I just lay there for a little while. The sleep had been peaceful but I remember thinking / dreaming constantly of Caitlin. Ok gotta do something.
As I got ready, I did a quick check that everything was in good working order, recounting the events of last night. It had been a while I had done anything other than solo; doing anything with Caitlin was a very long shot but I reasoned that I should 'be prepared' should anything (else) arise.
I looked at my phone. Far too early to message her. How did Caitlin know my number?
I could see her car from my bedroom window. Probably still in bed, along with 99% of the population, not too hung over - she didn't seem 'too drunk' last night; then again she tried to pick me up.
Was that my imagination? The back of the limo wasn't, I could still smell her, she was aroused, that and her warmth and the wet, softness and intensity of her lips and mouth seemed very real; the messages on my phone were definitely not my imagination.
Ready, I went out for my morning workout. It was a brisk, actually bitterly cold, morning, something in the minuses. 3 Ks later, gym, then another 3 Ks. I was on fire this morning, near record pace, probably record when compensating for the weather, and I raced through the reps. Something was doing this, someone was doing this.
I was back at the house at 7. Her car was still there, their central heating was on as well as a couple of lights. Someone was up.
"Morning," I texted, then continued with stretches.
"Morning," no more than a minute later.
"About last night."
"DON'T."
Ok, so I was wrong; it's all over before it started.
"Don't say that you are sorry. I'm not," she continued, immediately followed with the kissing emoji.
Relief, or at least happy. My groin stirred. What do I say now without creeping her out?
"You still there? What's wrong?" Caitlin asked.
"Not at all, all good. Was worried that I had gone too far myself."
Caitlin was taking the lead. The phone rang, must remember to save her number; A FaceTime call. This will be interesting ...
"Morning again."
She's still in bed, she beamed a fantastic smile. I've always seen her with makeup but thought that she would still be beautiful without. In the morning, in bed, no makeup, confirmed - glorious. Even her 'bed hair' was sexy.
"Morning again. Pardon me for saying but you look wonderful this morning."
A slight blush and giggle.
"Thank You! You look all sweaty."
Did she just add a dreamy emphasis to that last word?
"You just been for a run? Isn't it freezing outside?"
"Absolutely, but I need to get in shape." I kept the camera on my upper body - didn't want her to see my growing excitement. In retrospect, why not?
"You're in gear shape already," she laughed, "I'll have to catch up with you during one of your workouts, not just this early, or in this cold!"
Continuing to take the lead ...
"Happy to have a training partner, but I'll have trouble keeping up."
I had seen her on a run before and I actually would have trouble, but I'm sure that was not her real meaning.
"Wanted to thank you in person, face to face anyway, for giving me a lift last night," she said.
If only she knew how close to being 'in person' she was.
"Nice ride by the way," she added.
"My pleasure, enjoyed the company." I was thinking back to the trip home last night.
"Yeah, I saw that. Me too." Another smile.
I can get used to this ... my infatuation is increasing ...
"I better get going; meeting friends for breakfast first. Thought I'd start my day off on a lovely note. Will I see you tomorrow?"
Seeing my look she added "At work," meaning the Chemists.
"Sure. You going to the housewarming across the road from your place tonight? Or is that not your scene."
The bait is out there; see where this leads. The invite had gone to the whole cul-de-sac as well as well as my friends and colleagues.
"Umm, oh yeah, forgot about that. You going?"
Didn't seem to be high on her priorities.
"Think I may, no better offers. Think I better, known him for years, wouldn't be a great look if I wasn't there." Was Since I'm the host I should. What if she offers a better option?
"Mum's doing the neighbourly thing. You mean the hot guy? My sister saw him when they moved in and couldn't wait to tell us."
"I'll be sure to tell him that."
"No, no NO, please don't, she'll be mortified and we live just across the road."
"Ok, I won't. It's just him by the way, and I'm sure that he would love to know that someone across the road has a crush on him. It would boost his ego."
Another laugh, more definite this time.