It had been a long day, and Sharon was tired. Every bit of the week's travels was starting to catch up with her. All she wanted to do now was get on the elevator and get back to her room where she could get out of her wet swimsuit and into a hot shower. Over the last two days, they'd had a very long drive from California. It had taken over 12 hours with some traffic, but Sharon knew to be thankful because it could have been worse. She was quickly reminded of one reason she preferred California to Arizona-the weather. She and Ricky had arrived at their hotel to a very hot spring day. While it was April, it was still 100 degrees, and she was instantly missing the cooler weather of Northern California they had just left behind. She also cursed herself that once again, she would be on a college tour at this school in the heat. She should have learned from her last trip and come in the winter. Still, she was glad to be here for a couple of days, glad to see Emily even if she was busy, and glad to have a little time to catch her breath.
They had arrived the night before after the long drive, and their day today had started with a campus tour. She remembered quite a bit from Emily's tour, but Ricky, who had been 14 at the time, had complained about the heat and everything else he could, so he had not paid attention the first time around. This time, he did, and he had enjoyed the tour, maybe more than Sharon expected. He'd professed over and over he didn't want to go to the same school as Emily, but she had to admit that it would be nice to have both her children in the same place, well, at the same school, at least. Emily would only be in school one more year, but that would be very for both kids. At the end of the day, it was still Ricky's decision, and right now, Sharon didn't know exactly what he was thinking. They had done a lot of touring over the past week or so.
Sharon was also a bit relieved that Emily had a test and paper in the morning. It wasn't that she didn't want to see her daughter; she did want to see her, but Sharon was ready to just sit. She and Ricky had met Emily for an early dinner, and then they'd all gone their separate ways. It was now Thursday evening, and Emily was studying, Ricky was at the arranged spring break high school mixer, and Sharon was ready to relax. They would stay one more night in Phoenix to see Emily, and then bright and early Saturday morning, she and Ricky were headed back to LA where they would sleep in their own beds Saturday night before touring USC Sunday. Again, it wasn't her plan to tour USC on the weekend, but that's when they could get a tour, so she was trying to roll with things. It would be nice to be back in LA after all the traveling, and maybe after this week, Ricky would be able to narrow down his college choices.
"There you are!" Sharon turned quickly, a bit surprised. She was in a daze, standing there waiting on the elevator as she'd thought back over the week she and Ricky had shared. The voice that startled her belonged to another person with whom she'd shared some enjoyable moments of the week as well.
"Andy," she smiled warmly after she shook off her dazed glance. "How nice to see you."
"Same to you," he smiled. "I hope I'm not too forward, but especially nice to see you in a swimsuit coming from the pool, even if you are partially covered up with that towel."
Sharon looked to the ground as she smiled. Andy had a way to make her smile, and he had a way about him that she sort of liked. He was really forward, not a trait she'd seen much from Jack, not in a good way, and Andy, she could tell, was trying to be sweet and flirty at the same time.
"Well, you missed the show in the pool," she nodded with the only response she could think. "I love to swim laps. That's what I was doing."
Andy put his hand over his heart, "You're killing me," he winked as he chuckled. "Actually, if anything is killing me, it's the hotel's gym. I'm beat."
"Ahh," she nodded at his workout attire. "I was about to ask if you went for a run outside in this heat. The weather is brutal, especially since we've been up in Northern California for a few days."
"Yeah," he chuckled, "you're telling me. Vegas was even hotter than this, and I think that alone convinced Nate it wasn't the school for him." He flashed a smile. "I never thought the weather would be the deciding factor, but it might. I can't even imagine move in day here in August in this heat."
"It is brutal," Sharon nodded. "I've moved my daughter in two times in that heat."
"Oh, that's right," he said, as the elevator dinged and the doors opened. Andy gestured for Sharon to enter ahead of him. There were no others getting on the elevator. "I'm surprised you aren't with your daughter tonight."
Sharon shrugged, "Well, she has a test and a paper due, both in the morning. Ricky and I took her to an early dinner, and then she went back to her room. Hopefully, tomorrow, we can see more of her. Is Nate at that mixer thing?"
"He is," Andy stated. "We toured UNLV this morning and well," he chuckled, "he didn't even want to stay after that. It was so hot, and he said he was done. So, we high tailed it down here knowing he wanted to go to that mixer tonight. Now, you might have to explain to me his thinking if he vetoes UNLV for the heat but not Arizona State," he shook his head. "We'll see."
Sharon covered her mouth as she laughed, and the elevator arrived on her floor. "Well, this is me," she nodded.
"Hey," Andy reached out and stopped her arm. "I was thinking about going to another movie if you are interested? I saw a theater about a mile from here as we drove in. I was pretty tired then, but after my workout, well, a movie sounds good. Nate said they aren't supposed to finish until midnight or so. Is that what Ricky told you?"
Sharon stopped in the elevator door to keep it from closing on her, "Yes," she nodded. "That mixer is supposed to end at midnight with shuttles back to the hotels. Ricky begged though to stay with Emily. Now, as confusing as the desert climate might be for Nate's college decision making, explain why the kid who doesn't want to go to the same college as his sister is begging to stay with her?" Sharon smiled as she chuckled and shook her head. "This is all why Emily is trying to get her paper done and studying finished. Ricky is staying with her on her couch. She's in this apartment style place with two roommates, and Ricky thinks he's some college bigshot for getting to sleep on her couch while I'll be roughing it here at the hotel. She's going to pick him up at midnight."
"Got it, so this really is a vacation for you, at least a couple nights?" he teased.
"It is," she said. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "You asked about a movie. You know what-I would love to go," she offered a bright smile. "Could you give me about 45 minutes?"
"Of course," he grinned. "I can stop by your room to get you if you like?"
"Perfect. I'm in 517. See you shortly," she waved. She stood there after the elevator door closed, a huge smile still on her face. Something about him she really liked, yet she didn't really know anything about him. She knew he was divorced, from LA, a recovering alcoholic with two children, and that was about it. She also knew he was kind, courteous, and bold. She smiled as she walked to her room. Exhausted as she was, this college road trip was quite enjoyable.
A bit later, she heard the knock on the door and glanced at her watch. It was exactly 45 minutes later. She had to hand it to Andy; he was prompt, something Jack never was. Jack was always a few minutes late, well, except when it was payday, and he was quick to empty out their checking account then. Thank goodness, she had divorced him, but it was refreshing to have a gentleman arrive on time as he promised.
"I'm ready," she said, a bit breathless as she flung open the door. Her sparkling green eyes met his, and she noticed, really for the first time, that he had a beautiful pair of chestnut eyes, even darker brown in some light."
"You look fantastic," he said happily. Sharon looked down at her simple white shorts and black print top.
"Oh," she shrugged, "I couldn't stand the idea of pants in this heat, even for a movie theater. I'm sure I'll regret it later."
He nodded, "So, bad news about the movies."
"Oh," Sharon looked up, now perplexed.
"Yeah, I called the theater, and they are actually closed tonight. Get this," he chuckled. "A/C is out."
"Oh!" Sharon exclaimed, covering her mouth. "That is a problem. Even if they were open, I couldn't do the movies in this heat without a/c."
"Agreed," Andy held up his hand. "So, I guess we really don't have plans, which is a shame because you do look so nice."
"We could watch a movie here," Sharon said before she realized what had come out of her mouth. She panicked a little, hoping that wasn't evident on her face, as she looked to Andy. Now that it was out, she couldn't backpedal, so she proceeded with caution. "I mean, I have this suite style room. I love this hotel for that. Living room area with the couch and all. It's not the movies, but I do offer air conditioning and bottled water," she teased.
Andy chuckled as he spoke, "Hey, you don't have to do that. I am perfectly capable of going back to my room too. I know you are probably as tired as I am. Yes, I was feeling energized after my workout, but honestly, I don't know if I'll make it through a movie."
"Oh," Sharon bit her lip and nodded. "No problem, then."
"I didn't say no," he smiled to her as he put his hand on hers. She had her arms crossed, and he touched the hand closest to him. "I just don't want you to go to any trouble, and I wanted to warn you I'm feeling tired and old tonight."
"It's no trouble," she smiled, "and, you can't be tired and old because then I would be too. I have a cooler full of bottled water for the trip. I'm light on snacks, though" she grinned. "Ricky and I need to restock tomorrow, but we can see what is on if you like?"
"Sure," he smiled, and Sharon moved aside for him to enter the room. They took a few seconds to get situated on the couch, Sharon putting out water for both of them, while she handed Andy the remote.
"I really don't have a movie preference, so please pick," she nodded. Andy searched for a couple of minutes, before he sighed.
"Well, there isn't much on," he frowned.
"Baseball?" Sharon asked. "Do you watch a lot? I remember you saying you went to games. I'm good for a baseball game."
"Really?" he grinned. Sharon nodded, and Andy turned to the sports channel. "Ahh, looks like the Diamondbacks, and while not my favorite team, it's still baseball."
"Agreed," Sharon said. "Cheers," she offered her water to his. He smiled, clinking his plastic water bottle with hers as they settled into a comfortable silence.
It felt like minutes, but Sharon quickly realized they must have fallen asleep because it was now just after 10:00. She sat up, feeling badly that she had fallen asleep on Andy's shoulder. As she sat up, she jostled his head, noting that while her head was on his shoulder, his had rested against hers, almost as if they were putting their minds together. She glanced over to see the game was still on.
"Oh, did I fall asleep?" Andy groaned as he sat up. He put his head in his hands and tried to wake himself up. "Sorry about that."
"Hmm, we both did," Sharon said, as she sat up too and looked over to him. His glance met hers, and before they knew it or could say who initiated it, they kissed. It seemed to surprise both, as they pulled back, stunned expressions, both pensive as they tried to make light of their kiss. That look only lasted a moment or so before they kissed again. Sharon hummed into the kiss, pulling Andy closer, and he reciprocated by running his hand through her hair. Their kiss intensified, and before long, Andy broke apart.
"I should go," he sighed, shaking his head.
"If you want," Sharon shrugged and bit her lip. Andy looked up at her surprised. She continued, "We could, I mean, it's, well, no one since my husband," she finally explained after she stumbled over her words. Sharon could feel herself turning bright red, especially for once, she was the bold one. Andy's surprised look dropped off quickly as he caught up to her.
"You're sure?" he asked.
Sharon nodded, "Ricky's gone, and you said Nate wouldn't be back for awhile still. There's something I've really liked about you since I first met you. When I divorced my husband, I told myself I was going to live in the moment, and I've been trying to do that, not very successfully, but still," she smiled. "This is me living in the moment," she gestured to herself.
Andy stood, pulling her up too, as he kissed her again. "Oh, I don't have," he turned red. "I mean, I don't do this sort of thing so I'm not prepared."
She smiled at him, "Not to worry. I'm on the pill, medical reasons," she shrugged.
He grinned again, "I knew this college road trip was a fantastic idea." Sharon laughed as they closed the door to the adjoining room.
It was an hour later that Sharon regretted her evening, not because of Andy, but she didn't like feeling that bold. It was uncomfortable for her to suggest something she held so sacred, especially to someone she'd only recently met. What made it even worse was she still didn't know much about Andy. Now, as she stood against the door to her room, after kissing him good bye, she thought back and rolled her eyes. She was an idiot. Who did this kind of thing and on their kid's college search? People always made fun of college kids going wild on spring break, and here, the joke was on Sharon. College mom gone wild on spring break. She groaned, smacking her head against the door. She should not have done that, not that she hadn't enjoyed herself. Andy had been so great to her, and yet, here she was thinking of how stupid she had been. She still had to face the guy, and now, she didn't know what to say. Maybe she wouldn't have to see him, though, as she thought to herself. He was doing the early tour with Nate, he had mentioned, and then they were driving to San Diego to see his daughter. Just like she was spending a couple days with her daughter, Andy was doing the same in San Diego. It was going to be awkward, very awkward if she had to see him, and now, she didn't even know his last name. She sighed, covering her face with her hands and shook her head as she walked to her bathroom. She needed to freshen up and get some sleep. For once, she was very glad neither of her children were anywhere around to see what a foolish mistake she had made. Her day had taken a turn she could never have imagined, and now all she wanted to do was hide in her room. Maybe if she hid long enough in the morning, she wouldn't have to see Andy ever again.