I opened the door to see if my hunch was correct, and sure enough, there was Paul. You think I would have been prepared for what happened to me whenever I saw him, but I wasn't. That intense feeling came to my stomach and I know why skin heated up a few degrees.
"Hello Paul," I repeated for his sake.
"Anne," he said, coming forward and kissing my cheek. I knew it was just a greeting, but his warm, soft mouth pressed against my cheek was almost more than I could handle.
"Won't you come in?" I said, knowing that's what he wanted. I was being very calm, considering everything in my being was telling me to ravish him.
He stepped in brushing past me, his hand touching mine briefly. He was not making this easy. He fidgeted around for a couple seconds, and I could tell he was trying to form the right words.
"Well, get on with it Paul. Why are you here?" I was using my only defense mechanism I had at my disposal, bitchiness.
"I came here to tell you�well�I need�I�I broke up with Dot" He replied, the last part of his sentence coming out in a rush.
"Yes, I know. I saw her right after you broke up with her."
As I expected Paul was taken aback by my revelation. "You did, how did that happen? Is she all right?" His two questions coming right after each other.
I expected his first question, but not the second. Damn it! He had to go and be all concerned, causing my bitchiness to lessen a bit.
"I've rented the room next to Cyn's. Cyn wanted to introduce me to Dot, but she was not in the mood for introductions" His face reddened, and I could see the concern in his eyes. That was the last straw. I walked up to him and I saw him flinch. I guess he thought I was going to smack him. Instead of a slap I gave him a hug. It took him a second, but he eventually returned the embrace.
"Paul, why do you have to be so cute?" I said hanging on to him, not wanting to let go.
He didn't answer me; he just nuzzled his face in my hair. After a while he pulled back still holding on, to look in my eyes.
"What are you doing to me? I don't know which way to go with you. You're driving me absolutely batty," He said pulling me close again.
I looked up at him raising my eyebrows. Did he think he was the only one suffering? "And what do you think you were doing. I really liked you, but I wasn't going to even begin to get involved with a guy who has a girlfriend. That's just not the kind of person I am. Though I have to admit, it was very tempting. You are very tempting," I said winking at him.
"Oh, god." He said, pulling away from me. " If you keep doing things like that I'll never be able to leave and I have to leave in a few minutes because I've got practice. So I can't stay much longer," He said regretfully. "But, if you want I have tomorrow off, and we could you know�"
"Go on a date" I answered for him.
"Yes. Out to dinner and maybe a club? About 6?"
"That would be great," I said smiling.
"So I'll pick you up here then?"
"Oh. No. I'm moving in next to Cyn tomorrow, so you can pick me up there. Room 204." He blanched, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. "Dot moved out this morning, so you don't have to worry about a nasty scene." I added for his benefit.
He was visibly relieved. "Whew. That was scary. I thought my heart was going to come out of my chest. Going to pick up me new girl when my old one lives right next door. Scary that is." Scary that is? He sounded like Yoda. However I was more interested in another comment of his.
"So I'm your new girl, huh?"
"Well� I guess�umm�I have to go. Tomorrow right?" I nodded as he hurried to the door. I stopped his rapid exit, by grabbing his arm and forcing him to turn back around.
"Bye, Paul" I said pulling him close to me and kissing him on the cheek, hoping it affected him as much as his had me.
"Oh, God" he said pulling away and walking out the door.
I closed the door, a satisfied smile on my face. I had him right where I wanted him, slightly scared and sexually frustrated. It was a great combination.
Though Paul's visit had lifted my spirits considerably, I was still exhausted. I had a lot to do the next day, so I settled in for sleep. My last conscious thoughts were of Paul.
I awoke the next day refreshed and ready to take on the tasks of the day, and boy did I have a lot. I had to check out of the hotel, and move what little I had over to my new apartment, or flat, or whatever you want to call it. Then, I had to get proper bed cloths, because the room was furnished with a bed. I had to thoroughly clean the room, and then finally get ready for my date with Paul.
I gathered all of my stuff; I had about three shopping bags full clothes and my other belongings. Checking out of the hotel was easier than I thought it would be, though I did have to contend with the haughty guy. However, he was quick to let me check out. I think he wanted me gone.
Next, I went to my new flat and got my key from the landlord. My room was extremely dusty, it seemed no one had occupied the room in quite a while.
I added cleaning supplies to my list of shopping needs. I was ready to set off to shop for the things on my list, when I realized that I didn't know where to go. I hoped that Cyn was home, and I went and knocked on her door. She answered and luckily, she agreed to go along with me and show me the best stores.
While were traveling on the bus I told Cyn all about Paul asking me out on a date for that night.
"Well, he's a fast worker isn't he?" Cyn asked.
"I guess so, but don't worry he had to work for it" I said smiling.
"Well good, he should!" She said and went on to tell me about her and John's first date.
Cyn was very helpful, and helped me find all that I needed to get started putting together my flat.
When we got back to the boarding house, Cyn and I made plans to get ready together because she had a date that night too.
I cleaned my room thoroughly and when I was through, I went to get a shower. After my shower was through, I gathered the things I needed to ready and headed over to Cyn's. I used my bonnet thing to dry my hair. It took a lot longer than the hairdryer I had at home, but it was ten times better that using the breeze to dry it.
After my hair was dry, Cyn helped me style my hair. She wanted style it in some big haired sixties style, but I wouldn't have it. Instead, I left it strait and Cyn helped me curl the ends. After my hair was done, I put on makeup and slithered into my dress. I loved the dress and I hoped Paul would too. It was a sage green a-line and fit me very well. It came to an inch above my knees, and had a square neckline.
When I was done, having only five minutes to spare, I rushed back to my room to await Paul's arrival.
