This is for ALL my favorite h00rs…although this first chapter is especially for EmilyD.
Enjoy! (I hope!)
It was a hot and muggy August night. Emily had just managed to convince her husband she needed a little escape from her three children. She thanked him just long enough to grab her net-book as she headed off to the nearest Starbucks for a few moments of caffeine-laden sanity. It's not that Em didn't love her family. Everything she did: every choice, every breath was for them. But, even the most loyal of companions...the most loving of mothers needs an escape every now and then.
You see there was one obsession Emily held dear. One thing she'd allow herself to become preoccupied with in spite of her family. In fact, this was a passion completely separate from her family and daily life.
The fascination: Edward.
Whenever she escaped the family...whenever she grabbed that netbook and ran, it was always just a cover for her time with Edward.
On this particular night, she noticed he had left her a private message on Facebook.
"Cute kids. Been thinking about you lately."
She couldn't help but wonder exactly why he was thinking of her and her thoughts quickly wandered to what might have been.
You see, Edward was the one that got away, or rather the one she pushed away. They grew up friends, and as attracted as she found him, the relationship never became anything more. And now, with their new Facebook rendezvous she cannot help but wonder "what if?".
Her heart jumped when she saw his name appear on her Friends list indicating he was currently online. How she wanted to message him right then! But what would she say? Usually it was he who made first contact. She typed: Been thinking of you, too. She erased it. She typed: So how's life treating ya? Emily erased that too.
Everything she could think of was either too personal or too generic.
Afraid he'd sign off before she could get his attention she typed a simple Hi and was about to press send when a message from Edward popped up on her screen.
E: So glad to find you here.
Emily smiled and wrote back: Glad to be found. What's up? It was harmless flirting, she figured. No actual human contact involved.
E: My air is on the fritz.
Emily wanted to make a reference to him being even hotter than normal, but instead she just giggled as she typed: I'm so sorry.
E: Can't get it serviced until tomorrow.
Emily wished she could offer the spare bedroom at her place, but how would she ever explain that to her husband. Even more than that she'd love to offer to "service him" herself. But instead she behaved herself: Do you have anywhere you can go?
E: I'll be okay once it cools off outside. Killing time now with free air conditioning and wifi. Enjoying the free eye candy, too.
Emily read that last line a few times, each time shaking her head. It was completely out of character for him.
E: Did you remember red is my favorite color.
Emily was completely confused until she noticed her red sleeve as her hand reached the keyboard. She froze in her seat. Could he? Was it possible? She was afraid to even turn around in fear that his beautiful green eyes would be staring back at her. "Don't be silly" she told herself before her screen made a noise indicating she had another message.
E: Cat got your tongue? Or did you burn it on your vente latte.
Ohmigod! Emily had chatted online with Edward for months, sneaking out routinely to share time with him. But never had she even considered actually meeting up. All at once she excited and nervous, scared and a bit guilty. Her mind raced as panic rushed through her body. She had left the house in such a hurry! She hadn't even brushed her hair. Could any of the make-up she applied when she took her youngest to his pediatrician appointment possibly still be present? She took a quick survey to be sure her shoes matched and her clothes were spit-up free. She tried, nonchalantly, to straighten her hair.
E: Can I join you?
Before Emily could type the three letters she wanted to scream, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hi. I hope this is okay?" Edward looked exactly as he had in high school, only more mature and even more handsome with a slight feathering of gray along his sideburns.
"Of course." Emily smiled through shaky lips. "Sit down."
"You look terrific." he said, not even trying to hide the fact that his eyes were scaling her frame.
"You, too." She managed, afraid to go too much into detail regarding exactly how good he looked.
"No. Me...I get by. But you! You look happy, content. Fate has obviously been very good to you. I can see you must have a pretty great life."
Emily thought about all she had. A loving husband, three great kids, a nice home and the freedom to live out her dreams as she wished. At that moment she had a bit of an epiphany.
She smiled back at Edward. "I do. I am very lucky. I have a wonderful husband who treats me good. We have three wonderful children that I am fortunate enough to stay home with and enjoy every day until they start school." She watched his face. In it she saw envy and longing. "And how about you?" she insisted on changing the subject. "I saw on your profile you're still single. Certainly there must be lots of ladies anxious to spend time with you."
She noticed his fingers move up into his hair, something she remembered him doing whenever he was anxious or apprehensive when they were younger.
He sighed before speaking really slowly, almost defeated. "It just seems, Emily, that all the ladies I meet are either juvenile adolescents or older women on the prowl." He smiled and averted his gaze before continuing "I wish I could find someone...someone...more like you."
Emily felt the blush as it covered her cheeks. She knew by the look on his face that he meant what he'd said. And for the first time ever, she hoped he did find someone other than herself who could make him happy. She gazed down at the ring sparkling on her finger. She was unavailable and content with the happiness her life and her family provided her.
They spent another hour reminiscing about old times, all the while Emily taking a mental inventory of all her available girlfriends before deciding none of them would work. He could find someone else...as long as it wasn't anyone she knew…or had to see him with!
Before Edward left he leaned in to Emily, making her heart flutter, and placed a very gentle kiss on her forehead. "Thank you." He said "For reminding me just how perfect an evening with the right kind of woman can be."
Emily left the Starbucks that evening anxious to get back to her family. The whole way home her mind swirled with thoughts of the evening. He was sweet and kind and charming, but …he wasn't the man who won her heart. That man was waiting for her at home.
Although she hoped to never run into Edward in person again, she had every intention of continuing the occasional online rendezvous. Even a loving wife and dedicated mother needs a little extracurricular mental stimulation from time to time.
If you wish to be a part of this little game of mine…let me know via review or on the GR board.
