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Giving Thanks: Chapter One By Annie_B
She was killing me. I could hear her behind me talking to our co-workers, laughing & carrying on. Her laugh alone made me smile, & you can imagine the effect she had on me when she actually talked to me. Lee was 27 years old, fit as a fiddle, brown shoulder-length hair, sparkling hazel eyes, a smile that made me melt every time she flashed it my way, and the most warm and inviting personality I have ever encountered. Man, I had to stop thinking about her, I had work to do.
A couple hours later everyone on my team had finished their workload and we all were sitting around talking about how antsy we were to get out of here for the holiday weekend. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and where I work we get Thanksgiving itself and the Friday after Thanksgiving off as a paid holiday! Everyone was very excited.
"So, Beth, are you doing anything special for Thanksgiving?" Lee asked me. I nodded and told her about my family tradition to go to a resort town in the Ozarks where the scenery was spectacular and the shopping was even better this time of year. It's true, the main reason this town is such a big tourist attraction is because of a HUGE outlet village. The day after Thanksgiving was well known to be the best shopping day of the year there. Turned out Lee actually knew the place and said she loved it down there, too! We all continued to talk about Thanksgiving plans until it was quitting time. I wished everyone a good holiday weekend and took off. I always disliked long weekends because I never got to see Lee, but this time I honestly was looking forward to my trip to the Ozarks. My parents, my brother Nick, and I have been going there every year since I was 9. Now at 26, this year was no exception.
My parents arrived in town early the next afternoon, and we headed out after a light lunch at one of my favorite cafes.
The 4 hour drive there seemed to take forever. Once we got there, we checked in, unloaded our stuff in our room, walked around the resort for awhile to see if anything had changed, and then headed out for Thanksgiving dinner. We ended up at our favorite seafood restaurant, being the unconventionalists that we were. Within five minutes of being seated, the waiter came back with a bottle of merlot. "Beth?" he asked while looking at me.
"Um, yes?" I replied.
"This bottle is for you and your family, compliments of the woman at the bar." the waiter said as he poured us each a glass. I immediately knew who it was, even before I turned around to see my angel winking at me from across the room.
"Well, who is that, honey?" my mom asked. Nick, whom I have told all about Lee, knew immediately who it was.
"Oh my God, Sis, is that Lee?" he inquired. I nodded. "Go get her!" He didn't have to tell me twice. I grabbed my glass of wine and headed to the bar. Lee was grinning slyly as I approached her.
"Woman, I can't believe you're here. Thank you so much for the wine, you really didn't need to do that." I mused.
"It was my pleasure. You seem to have a lovely family, Beth, just the way I've seen you relate to each other." She replied.
"You didn't answer my question, what are you doing here?"
"What, you're not happy to see me? Our conversation yesterday about Thanksgiving plans really made me miss this place. My parents decided to fly to Hawaii and use some free plane tickets they got instead of having me over, so I decided to head out here. It really is a coincidence we met up here at the same restaurant." Lee explained. My mind was reeling.
"Are you staying at the resort too?" I asked.
"Of course, and I'm all about the shopping scene tomorrow. I know how this town gets."
"Well look, I'm going to get back to my family. Want to get together later?" Lee beamed at the question.
"Sure! I was just about to ask you the same thing, actually. Are you up for ice skating?"
Lee was referring to the ice skating rink that was actually part of the resort complex. I expressed that this was a great idea, and we made times to meet. Lee hugged me briefly before she left. I was all smiles as I headed back to the table.
"OK, you were right, she IS hotter than my girlfriend" Nick said. I laughed.
"Care to let us in on who that was?" My mom inquired. I explained, and tried not to let on how incredulous I was that she was actually here. My parents have been trying to "marry" me off for some time now. They were PERFECTLY fine with me being gay, as long as I gave them grandbabies soon.
Anyways, fast forward a bit. I was heading to the rink after picking out the perfect sweater and the perfect cologne to wear for my "skate date". Lee gave me a big smile as I approached.
"I'm glad you made it!" she beamed.
"You thought I'd ditch you?"
"Well, no...I'm just happy to be here with you." I looked at her quizzically when she said this. She blushed and cleared her throat. "Let's go in" she said quickly. What did she mean by her being happy to be here with me??
We paid, got our skates, laced them up, and headed to the rink. We basically had the rink to ourselves, given that it was Thanksgiving evening. Neither of us had much experience ice skating, so we were cracking up as we tried to hold each other up on the ice. The only way we could move was to hold each other close and move slowly. This close contact with Lee was almost more than I could take. Never did I think we'd be holding each other like this and having this much fun. I just had to keep reminding myself that all we were doing was skating. There were a few moments there that I wasn't quite sure, though. Sometimes it felt like she was holding me a little too close, or keeping her face a bit too close to mine. It had to be wishful thinking, right? Soon there was an announcement that the rink was closing, and only then did we realize it was 11pm! We reluctantly got back into our shoes and walked each other back to the "living area" of the resort. We toyed with the idea of going to one of the few bars on the estate, but we decided we both should get some sleep for the big shopping day ahead of us. As we were saying goodnight, it seemed like she had something she wanted to tell me, like she was holding back a little bit. Was this my imagination too? We ended hugging before we parted ways.
It was hard falling asleep when all I could think about was Lee and our time together. It was really bugging me the more I thought about her lingering and her hesitancy tonight though. It was a figment of my imagination, right?
The next day my brother and I were out fighting the crowds at the outlet village. Thoughts of yesterday had to temporarily be pushed aside, because I was trying on this HOT leather jacket that looked killer on me. I was doing all kinds of poses in the mirror, contemplating the $200 price tag. I was looking down at the jacket when suddenly I felt someone press up against my back and slide their arms around my waist. Startled, I looked up at the mirror. It was Lee! She was trying on this tight black dress that looked absolutely tasty on her. I had to admit, I couldn't help but think what a cute couple we would be as I was looking at our reflection in the mirror.
"Lee, please tell me you're buying that dress." Lee laughed.
"I tell you what, I'll buy the dress if you promise to buy this jacket, it looks so good on you", she said as she toyed with the collar. "No wait, even better, I'll buy the dress, you'll buy the jacket, and we'll wear them tonight for dinner and dancing." I couldn't believe my ears.
Later that evening we were riding around town together to find a spot for dinner. We ended up at a rather upscale bar & grill that seemed to be pretty popular. Throughout dinner, it was so hard not to stare at her. She was SO HOT in that dress. I had to physically remind myself not to let my eyes wander lower than her neck. It was getting kind of late, and the lights were lowered, upping the romantic atmosphere. They also turned on some slow music and the lights for the mirror ball. Lee smiled at me, stood up, and reached her hand for mine. She lead me onto the dance floor, and we got pretty close together as we were dancing. Now, I'm rather short, and Lee had a good 5 inches on me, and it took every fiber of willpower I could muster from burying my face in her cleavage. But God help me...the heat she was letting off, coupled w/ the intoxicating perfume she was wearing...I could tell a cold shower was in order when I got back to my room.
"I like you too." Lee whispered. I quickly snapped back to my senses.
"Wha...what did you just say?" I asked. I think we stopped dancing...I wasn't really sure. I couldn't feel my legs. Lee was laughing...I think.
"Beth, come on. I've known you had a crush on me since you first joined the company. I'd see all the looks you steal at me. It was because I was looking, too. And I noticed how flustered you get when you talk to me. And the smile you have on your face whenever you see me. I bet you don't even realize you're doing that. You're probably too nervous to realize I'm the same way with you." Then she kissed me. Right there on the dancefloor. In front of God and everyone. Lee kissed me. And it didn't feel right. I broke the kiss.
"I can't, Lee. I'm sorry." I said as I ran out of the restaurant. I didn't get very far though. I remembered then that Lee had drove. She'll probably be out any time now. I needed to think. What the hell was wrong w/ me???? Lee shares my affections and I'm freaking out??? I didn't even want to think about what she was feeling now. She was brave enough to say all those things and kiss me like that. That takes guts. And I totally ditched her. Then it hit me, I knew what it was. Perfect timing too, because Lee walked out just then.
"Beth...aw fuck...I made things weird didn't I? I'm so sorry, I just...I thought you...felt...I am SO sorry!" she exclaimed.
"No, you were right. I do like you. A lot. A whole fucking lot. I've just never...I've never had anyone that I like THAT MUCH like me back. I've lots of crushes before...but that's all they were. Crushes. Women I've lusted after that I knew I couldn't have. I've just never had this happen to me. You're so amazing, Lee, and I never even thought you could be gay...and I especially never thought you could be into me. I'm sorry I freaked out back there, I just got really overwhelmed."
"I understand" Lee said after a long pause. "Please know that my feelings for you are real, and that I don't regret telling you what I did. I am sorry about the kiss, though. I realize that was overkill. I just got caught up in the moment, I guess."
"I've calmed down now, Lee. If it's ok with you, I'd like to try that kiss again."
As soon as I said this, Lee gave me the most loving look anyone's ever given to me. "Are sure?" she asked. I nodded. She positioned herself in front of me, brushed my cheek w/ her hand before putting it under my chin, lifting it ever so slightly, putting my lips to hers yet one more time. This time, it was marvelous. I felt months of tension escape from my body, and for the first time since I've known Lee, I wasn't nervous at all. I held her tight and relished every second of that oh so tender kiss. When it finally ended we still stood there holding each other for a few more moments. When Lee finally backed up a bit to look me in the eye, she still had that loving, longing look in her eye.
"So, babe, where do we take it from here?" she asked.
To be continued...