Last updated on October 22nd, 2025 at 05:38 pm
Joe makes it a tad difficult to be guarded with him. I don’t know if he has the intention to broach the subject of our future together, we becoming an official couple, but I’m ready. This, the entire thing with Joe, feels safe, and I’m ready. Well, as long as he is. We’re back at the hotel and I’m getting dressed for a date with him. I’m excited to really explore the city. Yesterday, we were at his place all day. After the frame got delivered, I insisted that he send me the soft copy of the pictures. We created a Google Drive folder “for us.” It seems minor, but it’s the start of new things.
I remember the little moment we had when I saw the frame. It got me really emotional, seeing myself look so happy and relaxed with him—a complete reflection of my inner state. After the kiss, which really shocked Joe, we stayed hugging and swaying for a while. The desire that we had suppressed was, at this point, fully bubbling. After a while, no words spoken, we untangled ourselves. I stayed rooted to the spot, my legs weak as I watched Joe chug a bottle of water at once. He winked at me when he noticed me staring at him then went into his room, leaving the door open. The next thing I heard was the shower running.
This time, I completely get dressed in the bathroom. I’m not up for trying any silly games. Right now, I don’t trust myself. The chemistry is there; it’s intense. We can both feel it, we felt it before our first kiss yesterday. I smile again at the memory. Joe’s soft and skilled lips, clean breath, solid body… I manage to tame my thick hair with a lot of bobby pins and adjust my dress, then, satisfied, I step into the room. Joe is sitting on the couch, the TV remote in his hand. He stops scrolling as soon as he sees me.
“Oh Lord, Oh Lord. Angie.” He rubs a palm on his face, then gets up. I’m struggling to hide my smile and at the same time, inwardly sending prayers to Zabby for her assistance with my outfits.
“I’m ready, let’s go.” I pick my purse and deliberately walk in front of him to give him a complete view.
It’s not that I’m not prepared for sexual intimacy, I mean, have you seen Joe? We have to tie up a few loose ends before taking that step. Some believe that sex is just physical, but for me, it’s more. Maybe I’m attaching too much to it, but that’s how I like to think of it. I look at Joe, who’s been a little quiet today. He seems nervous. I would ask, only that I am also nervous. I think we both know what this date means. We can make it light and simply talk about it now, but nothing with us has ever been that plain. It’s finally our chance after many years; it can’t be plain.
—
We’re in another high-end restaurant. I don’t fully take in the surroundings as I’m too nervous. We both sit and smile at each other. Joe’s handsomeness is mesmerising. It would be the same even if I didn’t love him. There’s something ethereal, peaceful and grounding to his personality. He squeezes my hand as we order our food—the one which we both know will remain untouched.
“So,” Joe clears his voice. I sit up. “Yesterday got really intense.”
“Hmm,” I shrug and fold my lips.
“Someone got carried away and initiated a kiss.”
“Which the other person returned.”
“But someone started it. So, can I say that I’ve won?”
“It’s not that easy. You wish.” I reply. And just like that, the atmosphere is lighter. Joe smiles. We’re quiet and the nervousness starts creeping back in.
“Can we both agree that you’re more likely to lose, though?”
“What are you driving at?”
“I want to use my winner’s power.”
