I stared at the sky while waiting in line for my morning coffee. My eyes crinkling in concentration, has it always been this beautiful shade of blue? Wow, I don't think I've ever seen the sky that blue before. And look at those fluffy white clouds; they look so pretty against the vivid blue backdrop. I sighed and stifled a laugh due to the weirdness of my thoughts.
Ok, lately I must admit that I am being oddly more appreciative of my surroundings. As Tyra commented, I have become "annoyingly cheerful" that people at the hospital are starting to get strangely jealous. And I exactly know why. It's because of that one special person who makes my heart flipped with his piercing eyes and smile. And he is none other than, my boyfriend, Dr. Micah Barnes.
Yup, my boyfriend! Even though we've been dating for weeks now, that fact still never fails to amaze me. Maybe because I only just realized how I blind I was not to notice him, or how thick-skinned I was not to discern his feelings for me.
Last night, he invited me to his apartment for the first time and cooked our dinner. Everything was perfect! The food was delicious; we drank wine and talked for hours. And then came my favorite part of the evening, making out with Micah. I feel my cheeks reddened with the thought, because Micah's an incredible kisser. Like really really good. Like the one in the movies where you feel like you're going to faint and your knees get all weak? Yeah, they really do happen in real life.
I was pursing my lips to keep from giggling like a high school girl, and unfortunately, that is exactly how Tyra found me.
"Good morning, Emily." She greeted me while giving me a knowing smile.
"Hi, Tyra." I greeted back.
"So… How was your date with Dr. Barnes last night? Details, please."
"Well… it was amazing as usual." I teasingly answered.
Tyra gasped in mock anger. "Emily Owens, you better give be more information than that. You know what I want to know. Spill it. Have you and Dr. Barnes finally…."
"What?" I asked in confusion.
"Ugh, do I have to spell it out in detail. Well, you've guys have been out on a couple of dates already, and usually, it's about time that you… do the deed. "
"Oh… the deed." I repeated unsteadily, my face flushing with embarrassment.
"Yup, and basing on your reaction, I am guessing that you STILL haven't done it." Tyra replied exasperatedly.
"I know and it was exactly my fault. I kind of let it slipped on our second date that it has been a very long time since I've… done the deed. And he totally misunderstood me. He thought I was telling him to slow down because I'm not ready yet. And after that, I'm so embarrassed to explain myself that what I actually meant was the exact opposite. And since then, he has been really careful not to lose control with me." I explained in frustration.
"Oh my God." Tyra stared shocked at me and started laughing uncontrollably.
"It's not funny, Tyra." I exclaimed and hit her arm lightly. She started laughing so hard that the people in line started looking at them.
"Ok, I've calmed down now. First, you have to fix this Emily. Micah likes you so much that he'll probably wait forever for you, but you both need this Emily. You, specifically! You have a hot new boyfriend, and you really need to get laid again. Not to mention that this will cement your relationship and make it more official." Tyra lectured.
"Right. I can do that. I'll fix this." I answered confidently to Tyra. But inside my head, I am totally panicking!
"Now enough with your love life and let's talk about me and hot Molly…"
I sighed exhaustedly as I circled the word "How?" for the nth time already. I'm in my office, and I was supposed to do some research for Dr. Bandari, but instead, I'm obsessing about Tyra's advice.
I gazed at the skin cancer poster that Micah posted on my wall to serve as my view. How I envy the woman on that poster, it's been ages ago since I had a nice real vacation. It would be lovely to go to a tropical island and swim gloriously for hours. I wouldn't have given a damn about skin cancer.
And then suddenly, something clicks in my brain. St. Something! From what I can remember, it's also been quite a while since Micah had a vacation. If there will be a place I can muster my courage to finally tell Micah that I want to take our relationship further, it'll be at St. Something.
I immediately turned on my laptop and googled for resorts and flight schedules. A luxurious resort with cabanas in middle of azure waters with a mesmerizing sunset in the background immediately grabbed my attention. Yup, this is the place. I can feel it.
I draw a check sign and smiled proudly at myself. Step 1 is done, I was able to find the perfect place. Step 2 will be a little harder, convincing Micah.
I nervously clasped the folder against my chest, which contains a printout of the resort which I plan to propose to Micah. I checked my watch and waited patiently beside his car.
"Ok, Emily. You can do this. You cannot afford to fail." I whispered to myself encouragingly.
"Emily? Who are you talking to?" Micah asked behind my back.
"No one, I was just practicing what I'm going to say to Dr. Bandari tomorrow."
"Oh ok." Micah nodded as he stepped closer and gave me a quick kiss on my cheek.
"So Micah… I actually have something to say to you."
"What about?" He inquired curiously, his eyes directly focusing on me and trying to read my thoughts.
"It's actually about St. Something."
"The skin cancer poster?"
"Yeah. I was thinking, that it would be nice idea for us to…" I trailed off nervously.
"To?"
I felt myself lost for words as I saw him looking confused. Damn it Emily, just ask him.
I closed my eyes, took a quick breath and hurriedly say all the things that I want to say.
"What I actually want to say is that I was looking at the skin cancer poster that you gave me, and this idea suddenly just popped in to my brain about St. Something. We both talked about it before how it would be nice to take a vacation there. So why not? Let's both file for a leave of absence and have a vacation together. We totally deserved it. So I googled and found this amazing resort, and if you like, I mean if only you agree, we can go there together this weekend."
I exhaled and opened my eyes a little to check his reaction. And he was smiling. Ok, that's a good sign right?
"Just to be clear, you're asking me to go on a vacation with you in this resort you found at St. Something?" Micah repeated slowly.
"Yes, Micah."
He suddenly turned serious, his eyes piercing, making my heart pound even harder. I bit my lip nervously; his gaze wandered hungrily on my lips then he stared deeply into my eyes again. He stepped closer and grabbed my shoulders, his closeness sent delicious shivers down to my spine. He lowered his face and whispered hotly into my ear.
"Emily…. I would love to go on a vacation with you."
My folder slips unnoticed from my fingers as Micah kissed me passionately. I moaned and clutched the collar of his coat feverishly. Yup, stage 2 is definitely and deliciously done.
"I'm so proud of you, Emily." Tyra praised as she helped me pack for our vacation.
"Me too! And I'm so happy that everything worked out in the hospital as well. Dr. Bandari agreed after I promised her that my research wouldn't be affected. Then Micah got AJ to agree to cover his shifts. So you see, my plan is going extremely well."
"I definitely approved of this new Emily, she's more fun and bolder. I would also like to commend that you went shopping for this vacation." Tyra approved as she held up her new electric blue bikini.
"I'm actually afraid that I might have bought too many clothes. I practically explored the whole mall which I never did before. I bought new dresses, shoes, swimsuits, underwear and even lingerie." I winked mischievously.
"Trust me, you can never have too many clothes especially now that you're finally dating the man of your dreams. Looking at your new wardrobe, I have to say that Dr. Barnes is one lucky man."
Emily laughed and started placing her clothes into her suitcase. She's so excited that she's afraid she might have difficulty sleeping tonight. She can't wait to start her vacation already and have five wonderful days with Micah at St. Something!
"So… I actually have a going away present for you. What kind of a friend am I if I don't give you one, right?" Tyra took a medium size parcel from her hand bag and handed it to her.
I opened the parcel and stared at Tyra's gift in awe. I can feel my face blushing furiously. It's a huge box of condoms!
"Tyra!" I screamed and threw the box of condoms in her direction.
"What? Don't be embarrassed. I just want you to be prepared." Tyra laughed as she ducked the box condoms. She picked it up and threw it inside my suitcase.
"Look Emily, we're both adults. And we both know what you and Micah are mostly going to do at St. Something. Which as your friend, I am very supportive about. Well, usually the guys bring the… contraceptives. But this is just in case you run out… which I'm guessing might actually happen considering the way Dr. Barnes looks at you sometimes." Tyra teased.
I stared at the box of condoms which Tyra threw unceremoniously on the top of my clothes. Is it really possible to run out? I have no idea since this will be my first time to go on a vacation with my boyfriend. Well, there'll be no harm in bringing it along. Tyra's right, just in case.
"Fine, I'll bring your gift Tyra. Thank you so much for your very thoughtful gift." I exclaimed sarcastically.
"You're welcome, Emily. Who knows, you might actually thank me." Tyra winked naughtily which made me blush again.