by Rosemary Rey
Dashing, Message Three: “Perla, I’ve tried to call you a few times before. At the risk of sounding psychotic, I just hope I didn’t scare you off with being so forward. We did get intimate fast, but I want you to know that I’d like to see you again. We can slow things way down. I’d like to pick you up in the morning and take you to work. Maybe get coffee? Before this message gets cut off, have a good night.” I pressed save.
I let out a huge exhalation. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath. I clutched the phone to my breast and tried to slow down the fast beat of my heart. This is different, I told myself. This is good, I reassured myself. We can make this work, I determined.
I looked to see the text messages.
Chelz: U really gotta call me before I send in the troops.
I sent her a quick message.
Me: Hi Chelz. Had an amazing time with Dashing-Matt. At work this morning. He picked me up at 5 a.m. and brought me to work. I think I’m falling in love. Not kidding.
I retrieved Matt’s messages. Matt. I think that was the first time that I addressed him by his first name. I wasn’t sure what to call him before hearing his voicemail addressing himself so informally. He was Dr. Keene. Chelz and I nicknamed him Doctor Dashing. And after the mind blowing sex we had, I couldn’t call him Dr. Keene. I wasn’t going to call him Dashing to his face or referencing him to others. I hadn’t even remembered his first name until he reminded me. I was in a cloud of lust and I could barely remember my name. Boy, did I rush this.
Matt: Perla, I’m running late. But I’ll be home soon. Don’t leave, please.
He sent that one from the hospital. Because my phone lost power, I couldn’t retrieve this text. I read the next message.
Matt: Hi Perla. I was hoping to hear your voice. I left a voice message already. I had a great time today. I hope we can get together again soon. I’d like to take you to dinner, when you have time.
I ignored the voice in my head that told me this is too much. Too much attention. Too soon after meeting. Well, fuck it. I read on the next message sent a half an hour later.
Matt: I hope you’re not ignoring my calls and text. Is this a girl thing? It will break my heart if you’re not interested. Please, call me when you get my messages. Even if you need me to back off, just let me know.
Matt: I’m coming to pick you up in the morning. I’d rather you tell me in person that you have second thoughts about us. I can’t bear for you to walk away so soon. I hope I can convince you to stick around. Good night.
Wow. I never thought I’d affected him so much. I decided to reply, even though we spent time together this morning.
Me: Matt, sorry that I missed your calls, messages, and texts. I appreciate your picking me up this morning and getting me breakfast. You’re sweet. I can’t wait to see you this afternoon. Don’t be late-2 p.m. XOXO.
Within seconds, my phone pinged. When I went to retrieve the text, I was called by one of the members that an older woman had fallen in the ladies room. I asked if paramedics were needed. The response was that she was bleeding from the forehead, but that someone was with her. I asked the woman to stay with her. I called emergency response and gave all the details for the club, and I waited for them to arrive. Once they arrived, I guided them to the ladies locker room. We saw that an older woman was sitting on the floor. Another woman, in her swimsuit, was sitting alongside her holding a red tinged towel on her head.
After a few minutes tending to the accident, my phone rang. I looked to see that it was Matt. I pressed ignore. I’d call him back later. I needed to ensure that the woman was okay. She asked me to gather her things so that the ambulance could take her to the nearest emergency room. I went to the locker containing her things and gathered her belongings, bringing them to her side. The paramedics already had her strapped on the gurney. I smiled as I rested her bag and jacket in between her blanketed legs. She smiled and held my hand. I assured her that she would be fine as we continued out the corridor of the locker room.
I escorted them to the front door. I went back to the locker room and found the bathing suited woman and asked her a few questions about what she witnessed. She offered the story that she saw the woman stumble over the shower lip and fell onto her knees, but had hit her head on the tile, which caused the gash. My phone rang again. I pressed ignore a second time. I took her name and thanked the woman for her information. I stalked out to the front desk to write an accident report.
As I was retrieving the paperwork, a text pinged. I didn’t have time to respond, needing to report all the details. I filled out the forms and signed, filing a copy and putting one in the manager’s box. I took a deep breath. This was the first time that I’d ever experienced a medical emergency at the gym. I could still picture her sweet face and her shaking hands. She was definitely rattled, and that made me unsettled. I had a flash back of my mother; ill and dying. I shook the thought away.
When I finally pulled myself together, I looked at my phone. There was a couple of voicemails. I didn’t want to hear his voice in that moment. I opened up the texts.
Matt: You’re all I can think about since last Wednesday. Thanks to you, I can’t get rid of this erection. Nothing will keep me away from you at 2.
I couldn’t believe how open and honest he was about his feelings so soon after meeting. Texting allows some disconnect when writing to another person. You feel like you can pour your heart out and not have to observe the physical and emotional response of the recipient. I looked at the second text.
Matt: Are you okay? Your response was cut short. Was it something I said?
I decided to respond so that he wouldn’t worry. I looked at the time and it was already noon. I will see him in two hours, and I didn’t want him to come here.
Me: Matt. I’m okay. There was an accident at the gym that needed all my attention. I had to finish the report. Sorry. See you at 2?
Within a minute, my phone pinged with his response.
Matt: You were about to see me in 5 minutes. Thanks for responding. I don’t want to bother you at work. Sorry about the accident. You’ll tell me all about it at 2.
Me: I will be busy doing other things to you at 2, so there will be no talking about it.
Matt: Naughty girl!
Me: You like it. Must get back to work. Don’t be late. XOXO
I smiled at our virtual interaction. A nervous chill ran up my spine as I considered what I was getting into. I tried to reason that no matter what happens with Matt, I was going to enjoy the time spent with him. He may be the rebound guy. After being single two years, would he still be considered a rebound? He broke my two-year celibacy. We went on a first mini date this morning. He has been thoughtful and attentive this entire time, so why shouldn’t I enjoy this?
I don’t want to be left hurt and broken. Ben broke me. He tried to curse all my future relationships by his actions during the last year of our marriage and dragging out the divorce for over a year. It was brutal. My heart was made frozen and then shattered into billions of pieces. And I don’t want to give another man the opportunity to screw me over like that.
I wanted to listen to Matt’s voice again. To hear the reassuring tone that told me that he wanted to see me, to be with me, and that I wasn’t mistaken when I thought that he missed me when we weren’t together.
I pressed to hear his voicemail.
Matt: “Hey Perla, I didn’t hear back after the last text. Just want to make sure I’m not pushing it with you. Call me, please.”
I saved it. Why am I saving these? I started to feel ridiculous. I needed to just be casual about this. I needed this to go slowly. I pressed to hear the last voicemail.
Matt: “If you don’t call me back in the next ten minutes, I’m just going to show up, Perla. If there is something wrong, let me know. Call me, please.”
He was truthful when he said that I would see him in five minutes. I wondered if, when I texted, he was already en route to the gym.
The rest of my shift was un
eventful. I cleaned up the service desk area, and waited for Gina to relieve me of my shift. When she came in, I gave her information about the day’s events and alerted her to the incident in the morning. I logged out of the computer. She clocked in and I clocked out at 2:02 p.m. Matt didn’t appear in the gym when I clocked out. He was late by a few minutes, which surprised me. He was at my apartment at the precise time I leave for the bus, which indicated that he was unusually late. I didn’t want to text him, which would fall in the realm of desperation.
I waited outside of the gym in the main corridor of the large building. I checked my phone to see if he called or texted and I just didn’t hear the sound. There was nothing. The time on my phone said 2:13 p.m. I persuaded myself to wait. As a doctor, he could have been called away. I checked the sound level on my phone and turned on the vibration to simultaneously buzz with the ring. I held onto my cellphone to ensure I didn’t miss his call.
I walked toward the glass entry doors to look to see if his black Range Rover passed by the building. Traffic seemed pretty light, which didn’t give me any comfort because I couldn’t excuse his lateness because of heavy traffic. Disappointment was starting to creep in and settle in my heart.
By 2:37 p.m., I’d had enough of waiting and decided to go to the library, which was my usual waiting place in between shifts. I could read for a couple of hours and relax before starting my next shift. I thought it would be appropriate to text Matt that I was no longer waiting.
Perla: Matt, I’m sure something came up, so I’m going to leave and run some errands. We’ll connect another time.
I walked out of the glass front door, and walked toward the subway. My phone rang. I looked at the number and recognized it as Matt’s. Tears of frustration welled in my eyes. I took a deep breath to compose myself from the mix of anger, disappointment, and excitement. I pressed to answer.
“Hello, Matt.” I tried to sound upbeat as I suppressed my sadness.
“Perla. I’m so sorry. I’m on my way. I was on the phone with an injured athlete’s medical team. They wanted me go to New York City today to consult. I was on video conference and couldn’t call you. My attention was on the treatment plan and couldn’t text. I feel like I failed you.” He sounded so dejected.
I sighed. “I thought you had second thoughts about me.”
“No. Never was a thought. Where can I pick you up?” He sounded hopeful.
“Maybe we should do this another time. Our time together feels rushed. And at this late hour, we wouldn’t have enough time together.”
“Please, Perla. I’m right here. I can see you. Can you see my vehicle?”
I heard a honk reverberate from both the phone and in front of me. He pulled over to the curb and parked. He stepped out of the car and ran over to me. I hung up the phone, and met him. As much as I tried, I couldn’t change the disappointed look in my face. I wanted to believe that he was there for me and that we could spend time together. This is the second time that his job had caused him to be late for me, which made me wonder what life would be like as his girlfriend. How many dates would he cancel or delay because work came first? And while I dared not think farther into the future, I wondered how marriage and parenting would work on his busy schedule. I could imagine that I would be a married, single mother. He did mention that he traveled a lot when married, but ‘slowed down’ after it ended. I shook the thoughts away.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect this call. I couldn’t disregard the group. Having another sports team . . .”
“No need to explain, Matt. I’m disappointed, but I do understand.” I looked at the time on my phone. “It’s 2:50. I have to be at my next shift at five.”
“Come home with me. We can just hang out and talk until I have to drop you off at the Inn. Please?” He put his hand on my arm. He came closer and leaned in for a kiss. He smelled so wonderful. I touched his face and felt his beard. Waves of desire mixed with insecurity coursed through me. He took my hand and I followed him to his car. He opened the passenger door for me, and I sat down. He closed the door and jogged to the driver’s side. He swiftly sat down, turned on the car, and peeled off down the lane.
“I’m sorry, Perla. I didn’t want to disappoint you. I really meant to be here at 2. I was planning to be here fifteen minutes early and wait for you instead of you waiting for me.” He reached out and touched my knee. I released myself from a self-hug and put my hand on his. Immediately, we interlocked fingers. We seem to have a mutual need to touch.
“When you didn’t show or call, I thought you changed your mind.” He squeezed my fingers and rubbed my skin with his thumb.
“Never.” He looked at me. I looked into his eyes and saw a longing for me.
“Watch the road.” I cautioned, needing to pull away from his sincere glare. “Never say, never. We don’t know each other well. You may get tired of me sooner than you think.”
“I already know what I like and why I like you. You showed me yourself at the club and the next day in my home. You’re caring and attentive. You were concerned and committed to your friend who was celebrating a major life event. You stayed in my home when I asked. You didn’t steal, which is always a good start.” I slapped the back of his hand, and laughed. “You cooked for me and waited till I got home to eat. You’ve made me feel more wanted and alive than I have in a long time. And I don’t plan on changing my mind. Unless, you have?”
“No.” I whispered. Despite his sweet response, negating that he’d changed his mind about us, I was still upset by his lateness. His arriving late stirred something in me. Ben constantly disappointed me by being late for dinner or changing our date night plans. The excuse was always work related. I never believed it because we both worked at the same company, but I never had proof that he was lying or worse, unfaithful.
I believed Matt when he said that he was on a medical call. I had determined that I would show him my disappointment when we reach his apartment. Soon after, we drove in silence, our hands remained locked, and it was comfortable. We arrived at his apartment building. He stopped the car in front of the valet. The valet opened my side of the door and I collected my purse, leaving the cooler in the front seat. I had no intention of eating. My appetite was done and I wanted my time to be spent enjoying him.
“Joe, please keep the car close. I’ll be going back out in about ninety minutes and I don’t want to wait till you retrieve it.” Matt pulled out his wallet and handed the valet twenty dollars.
“Yes, sir. Thank you.” He smiled at both of us and I returned the smile with a small one of my own.
Matt took my hand and walked us briskly to the front door. He pulled the glass door and held it for me as he ushered me inside. Once he was right beside me, he sought my hand again and walked me toward the elevators. Without releasing my hand, he punched the button to the elevator with his free hand, and he leaned into me for a kiss. “Don’t change your mind.” He whispered before giving me the a sensuous kiss.
The elevator dinged its arrival. I felt a tinge of nerves in anticipation of being alone with him again. It was fine when we were in his car, still in view of the passersby, but this tiny confined box made me quake internally. The doors opened and with his hands on my lower back, Matt led me inside.
As he reached to press the button to his floor, we heard a command, “Hold that elevator!” As soon as I saw the older couple walking toward the elevator, I instinctively put out my arm to stop the doors from closing. Matt gave me a stern look, showing he wasn’t happy about the interlopers. I smiled at the couple as they entered the lift.
“Thank you, young lady. People are so quick to get to their destinations that they never wait for others. These elevators are so slow I didn’t want us to miss the next one.” The older gentleman said. “Thirty one, please.” He directed at Matt. I lowered my head and had a quiet chuckle. I’d really thwarted Matt’s intention of groping. There was no way he would be able to touch me without the chatty couple noticing.
When the
doors closed, I took Matt’s hand in mine threaded my fingers between his. I could feel the electricity coursing between our bodies. He looked at me with dark eyes. I gave him a small smile, but resisted the urge to kiss him.
I felt Matt tug at my hand, bringing it to his crotch, and squeezing his hand over mine to feel his hard girth. I tried to contain a gasp, but didn’t succeed as the man turned and asked if I was alright.
“Yes, sir. Asthma. So much rain lately. Makes me wish I lived in Arizona this time of year.” I smiled.
“Poor, dear.” His female partner responded. The floor slowed and the bell dinged sounding our arrival at Matt’s floor.
“Excuse us.” Matt stated as he put his arm out to guide them over to the side.
“Have a great day.” I extended to both of them.
“Take care, dear.” The woman said.
“Thank you.” I yelled as the doors closed. Instantly, he grabbed me and pushed me against the wall, kissing me deeply, as he pressed his aroused groin into my stomach. I whimpered with surprise and arousal. His strong hands glided down my hips to my thighs where he lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him to me, grinding my pelvis into him. I held him around his neck. I moaned as he matched my humps and kissed me deeply. I felt the intense longing and wetness in my vagina.
“Not here, Matt. Let’s go inside, please.” I asked looking into his heavy lidded eyes. He groaned, pressed his forehead to my cheek, and carried me toward his front door. He pulled his key out and unlocked his door with one hand, as he held my body with his left arm and his left hand cupped my bottom. His strength made him even more desirable. Each time he picked me up, I felt myself falling for him more and more.
He opened the door and carried me inside. With his leg, he shut the door, and reached behind him to turn the lock. He brought his working hand back to hold my bottom. I smiled at him and gave him a kiss.
“Put me down.” I said, my voice husky from lust.
His eyes were questioning, but he did as I requested. He let me slide down his body. I felt every hard edge and curve of his body. He pressed me tighter to his groin as my toes reached the ground. I pulled away from him, pulling my satchel over my head, and shrugged of my jacket. I placed them on the table by the front door.