A Prologue
The blue light of morning filtered in streaks through draped curtains of the woman's apartment.
My eyes strained and fluttered, foggy. Her hand was still in mine. I sighed in contentment as last night's events rushed back to memory: the pub with mutual friends, the flat tire, the ride home, the long long longest talk we've ever had, the crying...
And then passion-- her perfume sweet as incense, flickering candles, whispered moans between silk sheets-- Oh my god, we actually fucked.
Beside me, Kate stirred. "Good morning."
I turned on my side to see her staring wide-eyed like a doe.
No, more like a kitten.
My insecurities threatened to carry me away as I momentarily felt like I had fucked this whole friendship up, but her hand stayed steady. I faced her dead on, close enough to see myself reflected back in her eyes. She smiled; I think I smiled back. She blinked. Our breathing synced. I began to feel at ease. We had been friends through high points and lows for four years. In fact, she had become my best friend. We were in uncharted ground, but on the right track together.
All of a sudden I wanted to lean in and keep the fire blazing, just as it was when we drifted asleep. So I did. Our noses smushed awkwardly at first, then her lips fell alongside mine. I rolled closer, pressing my bare chest against her braless night top and tasting her tongue licking eagerly back. Things were still crackling. Good. After a moment, I rested my head on her pillow and cupped her side.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
Her words seemed to dance on her breath: "Good. I was
not
expecting all this to happen yesterday! But very glad it did."
"Me too."
"I kind of don't want to go in today. Just keep hanging out, and relax," she said, hand playing now on my chest.
"What time is your call time?" I asked.
"9:30."
"That's not bad. I guess the show is still a few weeks away."
"The countdown..." she started to say -- but at that moment there was a
miao!
and pawing at the door from Kate's bonded pair of cats.
"Sorry!" she said, squinting in embarrassment. "They can get demanding. Stay in bed if you want, though! I'll be right back.
I told her it was okay. My thoughts were still hazy from love and dreamland anyway. I got up to pee while she fed the pets. I heard kibble pouring and the start of the coffeemaker. Meanwhile, I tried to push through my mind fog and get organized.
Her cats got fed, but to this day I have no idea how Kate managed to return so quickly. When I came out, she sneaked up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist.