Under the Sheets - Love Under Lockdown

I wish I could reach over and fix it for him, but I know better than to be so bold. Also, it’s rather adorable like that.

“So,” he says, smiling at me. “I know we haven’t had much of an opportunity to talk outside of work. Tell me something about you that I don’t know.”

I fantasize about you taking my virginity, I want to say, but I don’t.

Sadly, though, I can’t think of much else to say. I’m a rather boring person, and work is basically my life, and he already knows everything about that.

“I, um, have a dog,” I say quickly, as soon as the thought pops into my mind, and then I wonder if that’s lame. “Cocoa.”

Since I’ve already brought it up, I decide to plunge along down that path.

“I miss her but she’s in good hands with a dog sitter,” I tell him. “I’ve had her for quite a while now, and she is just the most fun little companion.”

“That’s awesome,” he says, smiling almost nostalgically.

“Do you have any pets?” I ask.

“Unfortunately, no,” he says. “I used to have them when I was younger, and I’d love to have one now. But I work and travel so much that I don’t feel I could take good care of one.”

“I understand,” I tell him, thinking it’s nice of him to not selfishly take on a pet he knows he can’t give enough attention to. “What kind did you have when you were young?”

That must have been what the nostalgic smile was about.

“A collie,” he says. “Named Lady. She loved to go for walks in the snow. She’s bound off into a snowbank and I was so little that she’d pull me along with the leash. I’d end up cold and shivering, but it was a blast.”

“That sounds like a lot of fun,” I tell him, as our food arrives.

The pizza has been cut in half for us, so we each pick up our portion and take a bite.

“This is delicious!” I tell him. “I’m so glad I could have famous Chicago pizza as soon as we landed. Thank you!”

“It’s no problem,” he says, smiling. “I’m happy I chose well and that you like it.”

“So, did you have any siblings?” I ask him. “Or just Lady?”

“Ha,” he says, chuckling. “Lady really was like a second sibling. But I have a brother, Jim. He’s in real estate. We were pretty close growing up and still keep in pretty good touch. What about you?”

“Sadly, no,” I tell him, shaking my head. “I was an only child. And sometimes pretty lonely. I think that’s why I like animals so much. They’re great company to keep.”

“They sure are,” he says.

We continue to talk about our childhoods as we eat. I find that we have a lot in common, despite being part of different generations. We both had Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. And a collection of books, although his were The Hardy Boys and mine was Nancy Drew— an old-fashioned choice, I know, but my mom was a librarian and they had been her favorite books growing up so she passed her love of them onto me.

By the time the check comes, and Mark pays for it, I feel tired, but I’m wishing that the night didn’t have to end. I’m excited for the rest of our time together.

When we walk through the lobby and to the elevators, I swear he comes close to holding my hand, but he doesn’t. Maybe it’s just in my imagination, or at least that’s what I tell myself. However, when we step into the elevator, he does put his hand on my back lightly.

He’s just trying to be polite and make sure I get inside the door okay, I tell myself. But that doesn’t stop goosebumps from tingling all over the area where he just touched.

“Here you go,” he says, when we get to the door to my hotel room in the hallway. “Mine is one over.”

“Thanks again for the great night… I mean, food,” I tell him, blushing immediately as what I had mistakenly said.

“You’re welcome,” he says, peering down at me. “And I had a great night, too.”

We linger for a moment, looking into each other’s eyes, and I wonder if he is going to kiss me. I start to hope that he will. But then he takes a step towards his own hotel room, which I know is the wisest decision, even if I wish things could be different.

“See you bright and early,” he tells me.

“Yes,” I say, already looking forward to it. “See you tomorrow.”

Chapter 8

Lisa

Mark and I have spent a long time preparing for the meeting this morning. We got up early and discussed all our topics in the hotel lobby and on the ride over.

This morning I was so nervous while I was getting ready in the fancy hotel room. I hadn’t wanted to get out from under the fancy silk sheets, but I knew I had to meet the day with all the energy it required.