So there we were. Walking down the street in a small town as the sky was turning dark. We were walking towards the car to drive an hour back to the city after a random day escapade in the hunt for a famous pie and local beer. So many thoughts rushing through my head after experiencing a somewhat romantic moment when the least thing I expected was a romantic moment. No matter how you put it, Christmas lights trail is either for families or cutesy couples.
I was thinking of all the time we had spent together a few times a week for the last couple of months. It hit me... he likes me. I don't think I'm ready for that. I randomly cut him off, a la Mean Girls, the word vomit came out. "Hey we're just friends, OK?!". He was not expecting that. Just responded "OK" and continued the conversation we were having. I felt so much better, like a weight off my shoulder.... only for about a week or two, because the weight came back. I was carrying a fucking loveseat sofa when he told over happy hour that he had a date. I felt like my drink came out of my mouth, along with a dragon worthy mile long fire. I started questioning him out of jealousy. Who is she? What's her name? Where did you meet? Have you been hanging out with her for a while? When? I thought we hung out almost all the time? How come you never told me? I feel weird for all these questions, I'm sorry.....After all, he told me, I had made it clear we were only friends. Well, fuck. "Fine, I like you, damnit!", I said... probably the same wording. He simply smiled. So did the bartender.
And then, we hit our local Christmas trail of lights. No pie.
The secret is out, like the jealous woman in me I did not know existed until I heard of another woman in the mix. Why isn't he holding my hand? I just told him I liked him. He likes me... then what the hell? Why wait? Families and couples only at trail of lights, remember? "You said we were just going to be friends", he reminded me. I'm pretty sure I stuttered like a little girl choosing plain vanilla ice cream and then seeing somebody else get the last bit of sprinkles on their ice cream after me. Damnit, I want those sprinkles! They could've been mine if I asked for them first! Now what the hell do I do? I demand those sprinkles, I lick them to claim them as mine like a little girl.
The moment I said it out loud, I just knew.
We've been dating for months now.
Doesn't mean I'll stop sharing disaster stories though.... like when he showed up an hour late to our first official date, and I thought to myself that would never happen to Reese Witherspoon.
