Charming, but single

Friday night I had dinner with a friend of mine that turned into drinks with a group of friends. I'd been telling myself all week that I was not going out and that I was not going to drink, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

The theme of the night was "I don't care that The Nurse didn't ask me out for this weekend." And I was trying my hardest not to care, but it was clear to everyone that I was a touch hurt, because my crush is quickly becoming more substantial.

Saturday I ran errands and enjoyed relaxing. I regularly go on "e-mail silence" until Saturday afternoon as a way to not feel as if I am working too hard on the weekend. So I was pleasantly surprised when I had an e-mail from The Nurse apologizing for not calling and saying he hoped I was feeling better. We exchanged a flurry of text messages later that evening.

Since B didn't have to work on a Saturday for awhile, I was to meet him and some friends at a bar. By the time I'd dressed and left my apartment, they'd decided to go home because they said the bar wasn't fun. So I strode into B's house in my favorite dark jeans and a stretchy shirt with batwing sleeves that is oh-so late 70s/early 80s chic. I'd deep conditioned my hair and let it air dry for an hour or so, so the pretty natural curls and waves that it has when I just let it be were bouncing down to my shoulders.

"Damn, it has been awhile since I've seen you," B said. 

"What do you mean?"

"You have long hair now." 

"I've had long hair for awhile."

"But, um, it isn't always, so wavy."

"I know. I deep conditioned." 

"It's very pretty."

I beamed and grabbed a Dos Equis from the fridge. I'd hoped my friends would at least be lively, but they were lounging around being boring.  

"You're very smiley," he said.

"I'm sort of casually seeing someone. Very casually." 

"Oh … so you're not seeing him tonight?"

"I might see him later. I didn't want to look too eager." 

And then The Nurse sent a text message that he was finished at the hospital (it was almost midnight) and he was going to a costume party at the bar where we'd met last week.

I joked about what his costume was and we bounced messages back and forth. B's ears seemed to perk up each time my phone notified me of a message. (I might have imagined this, but it would have been cool.) 

After some chit chat about what each of us was doing, The Nurse messaged asked what I though about seeing a play his friends were in next month. I played it cool in my response, but I was secretly thrilled that he was making plans with me so far in advance and to do something that seemed very girlfriendy. (I keep trying not to get attached, maintain my distance, but it is hard.) Plus, the good kissing.

A few minutes later I bowed out gracefully and left B's house to meet The Nurse for one last beer. I walked into the crowded bar and made my way through women in animal ears and various hats and capes.

He smiled when he saw me and gave me a sweet kiss hello.

And he barely let go of me for the rest of the night.