The time was 9 a.m. My favorite coffee shop was populated by probably 30 people plus counter help. My lap top sat in front of me, its screen displaying a design. Fully absorbed in the project, I sip a latte as I work
At 30 years of age, I'm a freelance graphics designer with a thriving enterprise. The project on which I am working is nearly complete. I had secured another contract but would give myself a day off before starting it.
I never suspected that my life would change that morning, until it did. In the parking lot I encountered James Lance, an X jock whom I had not seen since high school days.
James is a strikingly handsome dude. Dark-brown wavy hair frames his face. He has brown eyes, bow-shaped lips and a prominent Adams apple. His body is toned. Just the right amount of muscle makes it sexy.
We fell into easy but brief conversation there between my Toyota Carolla and his gray Chevy Silverado under the warm northern Ohio sun. I talked about being a graphics designer in my own business. He listened, but said little. He mentioned having an older brother who was a senior when we were eighth graders. I admitted to being an only child.
Back in the day we hung out with different friends, he with the "cool kids" and I with the geeks. I wasn't exactly a studious type but I did love to draw and paint. In fact, art had been my favorite class. I had always known subconsciously that I wanted to make a living as an artist.
Something in the way he looked at me at that moment, our first contact in 12 years, gave me the sense that we would see a lot of each other.
Like me, James had never married. The funny thing was that there was never a time when he didn't have a girlfriend. At least it seemed that way.
I, on the other hand, never had a girlfriend, nor had I felt any desire to be with one. Since the onset of puberty I knew I was attracted to boys but hid that side of myself until college when I had briefly dated Fred Clarke. Fred and I had just a semester together.
By 10 that night I had stepped into the shower. Being naked made me imagine myself doing James, the images giving me an erection. My hand slid rapidly along the six-inch shaft as warm water washed away the perspiration.
After fitful sleep I sipped my morning coffee while scrolling through my high school's Facebook page. Jame's name came up so I texted him.
"I'm glad we ran into each other yesterday. At the moment I'm browsing the school's Facebook page."
I found myself hoping that he and I would see more of each other. I was ready to give him all the time he needed to figure out what he wanted to build with me. I wanted more than friendship.
His reply came by the end of the day.
"I would have answered sooner but I just got home from work."
He added a smiley face Emoji.
