One Year, and Now What?

So, it has been awhile since I posted, but I've got news that makes it worth while.

I don't know if I mentioned this, but a few weeks back, as several friends were sitting around celebrating my birthday, TO joined all of us. She came to wish me well. During the night, she let slip that her and her boyfriend had broken up. I perked up, but left it at that. I knew that things were just friendly between us, and really, what good is it hitting on a girl in mourning.

As the past few weeks went by, I would see her on Fridays for our show, and she would be sad. I would say nice comforting things, but that was it.

Then, last week, she came out and joined me again. We talked for a bit, and it was nice. I got to thinking things again, but thought I better not. Everything she had ever said to me just seemed to be encouraging a friendship only.

Then, this past Thursday, I was having a tough day at work, and thought it would be nice to go for a drink afterwards. I was trying to think of who to go with, when it occured to me that now I work near where she rehearses at night. So, I sent her a text.

I totally didn't expect her to return the text, or to join me for a drink, but she did both.

We met at the bar, and she showed up alone. We had some drinks, and talked.

It was great. I kept telling myself I was only here with a friend, but things changed. A guy came by us and started to hit on her, and she pointed him out to me saying, "What a creep he is. He keeps giving me the eye, and he must see that I'm totally here and all into you."

All into me?

That's when I realized maybe things were different.

We talked more and more, being much more open and frank than ever. At one point she called me cute, and then blushed. She asked if that was too much and I said it was not.

Then, I made a move. I told her that I valued our friendship, but that I was interested in taking it to another level. I added that, however, I respected where she was at that point. She smiled, and then at one point held my hand.

As we left the bar, she entwined her arm into mine, and snuggled in close. I walked her to her car, and she told me to get into the passenger seat. She gave me a ride back to my car, and as we sat there, she said, "Awkward."

Then, I leaned over and kissed her. She was receptive, and it went on.

She was smiling, and I just couldn't believe it.

Here it was one year almost to the day since the first night we went out and I dropped head over heels for her. All that thought, and wishing, and suffering, and letting go, and re-goo-gooing, and re-letting go, and re-suffering, and trying to just get to a spot of friendship, and there I was making out with her!

It was great.

After a bit, she made us stop (I probably could have gone on for days), and we seperated, and drove off.

She sent me an email saying thank you. I hope that is good.

I'm out of town all week, so I won't see her until next Thurs or Fri.

I don't know how things are going to change. I hope for the better, but I keep telling myself to just let it be what it is, and nothing more. We'll see.

I can't get her off my mind, but this time the image is from reality.