Breathe Ch. 2
I started work a month after the non-wedding, a full month earlier than originally planned. I found a small apartment to put my used furniture in, beginning my new life. I didn't date anyone or even look for several months. When I came home for Christmas, my sister mentioned that Susan had taken a new job in St. Louis as well. I told her to have her call me and I would show her around, not thinking much of it.
Once back in my apartment, I had forgotten about this when on a Saturday morning my phone rang with a strange number. I decided to answer, hoping it was a scammer I could play with for a while (yeah, I was lonely!).
"Hello?"
"David?"
"Yeah..."
"This is Susan! Your sister gave me your number. She said I could call. I got in town today... I don't know where anything is. I don't suppose you could show me how to get around this place, could you?"
"Susan! Hey, of course, I owe you big anyway. I was thinking about going out for lunch soon anyway, I can pick you up and show you around."
"Sounds good! Let me find my address..." Once she found it, it turned out she was three buildings away in the same complex. I told her I'd be there in ten minutes and gave myself a quick clean-up before heading out.
I arrived at her door and knocked. She opened the door and I think my teeth fell out... I had seen her at the wedding, but I guess I just didn't notice how hot she was. Five foot six-ish, true red hair that was wavy but not tightly curled, a nice set of boobs set out for viewing in her top, perfect waist-to-butt ratio... and the angel's face. I think I stood there for a full minute until she started laughing.
"I... I'm sorry. I guess... what the hell, I guess I just didn't know how beautiful you are! I... Wow!"
"Well, thank you David! You're a cute guy too. You may want to shut your mouth so you don't catch flies, though. I'm going to take this as a complement, but I am getting hungry..."
I took her to lunch at a diner close by just to talk to her and calm myself down. She was not only hot, she was funny. She was smart. Her green eyes were looking into mine, sparkling with laughter through most of the lunch. At the end of lunch, she took my hand across the table.
"David... I'll only bring this up once. Kimberley was stupid. She was a slut... I just figured everyone knew. When I found out you were Leigh's brother, I knew I had to make sure that you knew what you were getting into. I'm sorry for how it went down. Based on the last half-hour, you're a great guy and anyone would be lucky to land you."
"Well... I'm pretty much over it. I haven't dated yet, but soon. You're gonna make some guy pretty damn happy too, based on the last thirty minutes."
"Have to meet someone first, I guess."
"How is a girl like you not attached?"
"In a word, assholes. Most of your brethren... are assholes."
"Well... I hope you don't feel like that about me! Let's go explore a bit and you can tell me what you need to find."
We went out, finding the nearby grocery stores and a mall. We found everything she wanted, then on a lark we went to the Arch, taking the elevator to the top. Looking out over the St. Louis skyline, she pulled my hand into hers. "David... you want to go to dinner?"
"I can eat! I'll take care of it."
"No... not what I was asking, I guess. I mean, I'm hungry, but... David, you seem like a nice guy. I know I'm friends with your sister, but that doesn't make me off limits. How about the rest of the evening be considered... more... of a date?"
"I... uhhh... wow. I've never been asked out before."
"You didn't answer..."
"Yes! Yes, let's go on a date tonight. I... I like you, Susan. This whole afternoon was fun."
We went to a pizza place and ordered. We talked, we laughed, and we found that we had a lot in common as we waited for the food to arrive. We ate, both of us managing to get sauce on our shirts, and we laughed some more. We went and had a few drinks before heading home, dancing a few times and getting to know each other better.
Back at her place, as I dropped her off, she stood on tiptoes and gave me a kiss. It started small, but it got very steamy very quickly. After what seemed hours, she stepped back, flushing, said good night and closed the door. I walked back to my place, getting the door unlocked when my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Damn, David, what did you do to Susan?"
"Hey Leigh, what do you mean?"
"She just called me. I think you blew her mind. She's mad that I didn't tell her about you years ago!"
"We... I just showed her around, no big deal."
"And then you took her out, according to her! She said you were literally the perfect guy... David, I think she really likes you. Just don't screw this up, don't make her mad at me."
"Leigh, we only had one sort-of date. We aren't getting married tomorrow. She's nice, she's hot, and I do like her. You know me, I won't intentionally screw this up."
"I know... but this is the first time I've heard her this giddy about a guy in, like, forever. Just sayin', I wanted you to hear it from me, I guess."
"Thanks... I need to go to bed, I have some things to do tomorrow. I'll call next weekend, ok?"
"Sure thing. Love ya Dave."
"Love you too, Leigh. Later!" I hung up, smiling a bit. I was much giddier about this than I told my sister. She seemed almost too perfect. I decided to wait a day or two until I called her, not wanting to appear too pushy.
The next morning, I woke up and was making some breakfast, just toast and jelly, when there was a knock at my door. I pulled on a t-shirt and opened it, finding Susan standing outside dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, shivering.
"Good morning, David! I probably should've called, but... I really need to go get groceries, and I kinda got caught up last night. I don't suppose you have a small bit of food to spare?"
"Sure, c'mon in! I was making toast and jelly, but I can do something else if you like."
"Got some strawberry jam?"
"Always, it's my fave!"
