Surrendering (Surrender 1)
“Okay,” that’s all I can say because now I’m watching his lips move and my insides are turning to liquid.
“I think that now would be a good time to start the movie.”
“I think you’re right.”
He lets me pick the movie while he gets us another drink. I’m not sure what he likes so I pick my favorite DVD and relax on the couch. When he comes back in the room, he sits right next to me and hands me the glass of wine. Then he leans back and settles in, putting his arm around my shoulder and pulling me closer. I’m not quite sure what he’s doing, but I don’t fight it. My butterflies have returned and my palms start sweating. I’m pretty sure my insides are turning to liquid again. When I look up at him, he’s watching me intently. I decide not to question him.
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“What? Almost Famous is my favorite movie of all time. It’s probably one of the best rock and roll films ever.”
“Beautiful if anyone finds out about this, I’ll lose my man-card.”
“Would you rather watch The Notebook?”
“Fuck no.”
“Then Almost Famous it is.”
*****
After the movie’s over, I become anxious. I don’t want Declan to leave yet, but I’m not sure what to say. The entire time we watched the movie, I was a bundle of nerves. He had settled so close to me that my head was on his shoulder. He found little ways of touching me delicately throughout the movie, like brushing my hands with the tips of his fingers when he reached for his beer. He even brushed the tears off my cheeks when I was silently crying. Every single touch shot electricity through my body to my bones. I’m so worked up right that I’m scared to look at him. I’m certain he’ll see the lust in my eyes.
“I better go; I have somewhere to be in the morning.”
Disappointed, I stand with him. “Yeah, I have somewhere to be at 9:00 so I guess I should head to bed.” Something flashes in his eyes; it resembles my own reaction.
“Where do you have to be?”
“I try to go to yoga on Saturday mornings. I should go tomorrow; especially after all we ate tonight. I think I may go to a double class.”
“Is that where you were coming from when I ran into you?”
“Yes.”
“You always dress like that when you go to yoga?”
“If you mean do I wear workout clothes, then yes.”
“Those were a little skimpy for workout clothes.”
“Not really.” I get a little twinge in my stomach. I like that he remembers what I was wearing. I also like it that my skimpy clothes seem to bother him.
“New plan, I always play football with some guys on Saturday mornings. I’ll swing by here and get you at 8:30 and we can go together. Then when you’re done, I can bring you home.”
“That’s not necessary; I walk to the yoga center because it’s much quicker than trying to find parking. It’s just easier.”
“I want to pick you up- please?”
“Seems like an odd request, but okay. I’ll see you at 8:30.”
He smiles down at me and I melt, again. I suddenly realize that tonight was so much larger than just a movie night.
“Hey, Declan, I know you said you don’t date, but I think you broke your own rule tonight.”
“How so?”
“Well, in my book, when a man does dinner and a movie with a girl, it is labeled a date. Then you threw in dessert. That screams bona fide date.”