As the crowd began to mingle, I lost track of you, walking through the room, making small talk, shaking hands, smiling, making nice with people when I would much rather already be back in my room, with you. I glanced to my right, scanning faces, and not seeing you, decided I'd make the best of it, and enjoy myself while I was here.
I talked to people I only saw at functions like this, business contacts that required a few minutes of my time, and I quickly lost track of time. It seemed about every other conversation or group of people I talked to added a fresh drink in my hand, and after a while, I was feeling very good about everything. The only thing that dampened my mood, was I was ready to take off my heels and relax.
When I saw a friend walk towards me, I thought, finally, someone I can talk to without the fake smile in place. "Erin, how are you?" I asked as I pulled her close in a hug. "It's been too long, really it has, you look incredible."
"Thanks, you too," she smiled down at me. She was a few inches taller than my 5'5" anyway, but in heels even higher than mine, she could do that, look down at me. "I'm great, I've had about three too many drinks though, so it could just be that."
"You too," I laughed, "I feel incredible right now, but if I don't get out of these damn shoes before long, I'm gonna fall over."
"Oh! Me too, I thought I was the only one suffering in silence!" she giggled. "Let's go up to your room, kick off our shoes, and raid the mini-bar, whaddaya say?"
"You read my mind," I said, and then, immediately stopped us both as I remembered. "Oh, umm, listen, Erin, I, umm, that sounds great, but, umm, I think, maybe not, maybe another night, I umm, have a headache." She turned and looked at me, and I knew immediately I was busted.
"Liar, why don't you want me to come up to your room?"
"I, umm, I told you, I'm not feeling well, and, umm, I just, well, some privacy is probably what I need, and another hot shower," I giggled to myself at the thought of another shower, with you there to greet me as I step out of this one.
"Who is he?"
"What?"
"Who has a key to your room?"
"I, uh, I don't know what you are talking about."
"Mmmmhmmm, well then, you won't mind if I come up with you."
"OK, Erin, listen," I glanced around, seeing who was around us, "God, how did you know? Am I that easy to read?"
"Know, I've just known you a long time, and that look that crossed your face a minute ago, well, it only means one thing."
I had the decency to blush, then I looked back at her, "Look, I'm sorry, can we hang out tomorrow? I swear, tomorrow."
"Nope, tonight"
"Erin, you don't understand. I mean, really, you don't understand. I'm so frustrated right now, I could explode at any time." I quickly gave a few of the more vague details of what had occurred already tonight.
"Damn, in the elevator? You KNOW there are cameras there."