The alarm rustled me out of my deep sleep. For a moment I didn't realize where I was but as my grogginess faded I realized where I was. Normally I would have hit the snooze button but not this morning. Today I felt alive and ready to face the day. My thoughts immediately turned to TJ. I looked at the clock and saw it was 6:30. I wondered where he was. In bed? No way. Getting on the road? Maybe. Half way to Tampa Bay? Probably.
I can't explain the vibrancy I felt. It's incredible. The last three days with TJ were amazing but also enlightening. I now believed that I wasn't the only one to be blamed for my divorce. My ex was just as much at fault as I was. Most importantly I now believed that I know how to love, I know how to please, I know how to be intimate. I feel like my imaginary wall has collapsed thanks to TJ.
I readied myself for work and left knowing that I could face any challenge. Just then my phone buzzed. I looked at it and saw it was TJ. I hit my hands free and said, "Hi TJ."
He replied, "Just want you to know that I can't stop thinking about you."
He can't stop making me feel good. I said, "TJ you are incredible. Where are you? Sarasota?"
He laughed, "Jodi I'm in my Tampa office. I just wanted to say good morning before my day exploded."
"My gosh. What time did you leave?"
"I couldn't sleep without you next to me to cuddle with so I left at 5:00. Made great time as there was little traffic on the road."
"I have to admit I did miss your arms wrapped around me as I slept. Will you call me tonight?"
"I'm planning on it but it probably will be after 8:00. Jodi I want you to know that I had a wonderful time with you this weekend. I can't wait to see you again. I have to go but I'll be thinking about you every chance I get."
I busied myself at work but try as I may my mind kept going back to the time I spent with TJ. The day dragged on. I couldn't wait to get home to relax and wait for TJ's call. I wondered if everyday was going to be like this?
I got home and made myself a salad for dinner. As I picked at it I remembered that I needed to update my wardrobe especially now that TJ walked into my life. I'll ask Mia if she wants to help me shop, I'm sure she would love to spend time together catching up.
Mia answered, "Jodi is everything okay?"
I said, "Yes why would it not be okay?"
"Because you never call. I'm always the one calling you to do something."
I winced as I quickly realized her words were very true. I replied, "Oh my gosh. You are right. I'm sorry Mia. I never realized that. Guess what? I'm calling to see if you want to help me update my wardrobe. I realized Friday night that my clothes are outdated. Interested?"
She squealed in delight. "Of course I'm interested. Thank you for thinking of me. When do you want to start?"
"How about I pick you up after work tomorrow. We can grab a quick bite and then start our hunt."
"Jodi that sounds wonderful. I know a couple of neat stores that I think mesh well with your taste. I'm so excited."
I laughed and said, "I'm glad you know some stores because I only know Anne Taylor. I'll pick you up at 5:15. Does that work?"
"Perfect. By the way how did things go with your pool boy?"
I responded, "Better than I expected. I'll fill you in tomorrow. See you."
Just as TJ had said my phone buzzed just after 8:00. I answered, "Hi TJ. I miss you."
He laughed and said, "I miss you as well but I have some news that might perk you up."
Excitedly I said, "Tell me. Tell me."
"It's only good news if you can take a personal day off from work this Friday."
I enthusiastically said, "Done. Now quit stalling and tell me what you have planned."
He laughed and said, "I'll pick you up Thursday night around 6:00. I have a room reserved at the Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa for three nights. It's right on the beach. Are you available for three nights?"
I shrieked, "Very funny! Yes I'm available. It sounds wonderful. Don't you have to work on Friday?"
"I do but I'm only going to put in a half day at our West Palm Beach office. Hopefully you can entertain yourself in the morning until I get back to the resort then the rest of the weekend is ours!"
I asked, "What about Saturday. Don't you usually go in to the office on Saturdays? I don't want to stop you from doing what you need to do to succeed."
He tried to address my concern, "Jodi last night I said that you were more important than work. Now that doesn't mean work isn't important or is going to suffer. It means that I have to be better at managing my time. Prior to this past weekend there was no incentive for me to be more efficient. Now that you have come into my life I need to get better at what I do. I can do both."
I felt my heart race. I said, "TJ, I trust what you are saying is doable. You need to promise me that our relationship will not interfere with your work."
"Jodi our relationship is only going to make me better at work. I promise if I can't handle both I will sit down and discuss things with you. Are you good?"
I smiled and said, "I am. I'm so excited. Where are you now?"
"In my office."
"Are you kidding me? It's 8:30. You need to go to your hotel. You've been at this since 5:00 this morning."
I heard him laugh as he said, "Simmer down Jodi. When I leased the first Tampa location I did so because it had a shower and bathroom in the warehouse. I built my own en suite with a walk in closet in the warehouse. I envisioned that as I grew my operations this would be my home away from home. I brought some of my clothes, had a TV installed with cable so I can relax after hours. I bought a small refrigerator. Finally I had a king size bed delivered. I take all my clothes to a dry cleaner. I stay here at least three nights each week."
I was flabbergasted and amazed. "That's unbelievable. Who thinks like you?"
"Hopefully not too many. That's how I'm able to funnel profits and cost savings into expanding my operations. Tomorrow I will go to Sarasota then return here. Wednesday I will spend time in my other Tampa office and return here. Thursday I'm driving to the Boca Raton office then check in at the Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa before I go pick you up."
"Where do you get your energy? Im exhausted after 8 hours at the office. Heck I'm exhausted listening to what you do. You are amazing!"
"Jodi if you love what you do the energy is always there."
I looked at the clock and saw we had spent an hour talking. I said, "TJ I'm going to say good night. I need to re-energize after this amazing weekend. I'm going out with my friend Mia tomorrow night to update my wardrobe. Any requests?"
"Short and tight will always look amazing on you. Good night Jodi. Call me tomorrow when you get home and let me know what I can look forward to seeing you in this weekend."
"Good night baby! I'll call you and maybe text you some pics."
Wow! Wow! Wow! There was no way I'm going to be able to fall asleep after that conversation. The more I find out about TJ the more my feelings grow. I went online and found the Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa. It looked wonderful. I smirked at how naughty and carefree I'm becoming around TJ.