Chapter 3
"Are you ready to talk now?" He asks amused.
"Yep." You reply.
"I had fun earlier today." He says.
"So did I," you agree "The most fun I have had in awhile."
"How was your flight?" you inquire.
"It was ok," he said. "Bad Food."
You chuckle, "Airline food is the worst! Where was your flight too?"
"Oh, um, New York. It's only for a couple days." He says. "I was hoping that you could come over for dinner when I get back."
"I'd love to!" You say hoping that you don't sound desperate.
"Great, I'll be back on Friday afternoon. So how about Friday evening?" He asks. "Say 8 o'clock?"
"Perfect." You reply.
"Ok see you then." Mike says. "Bye."
"Bye." You whisper.
His voice echoes in your head. God, what was it about that voice? She felt close to melting and just a little turned on listening to him speak. You knew you could happily sit and listen to him for hours. His voice was like a warm breeze caressing your skin. You shiver just thinking about it. Yet still in the back of your mind is this nagging notion that you have heard that voice before.
"Ridiculous!" You think to yourself.
For the first time in over a week you sleep all night and wake up in the morning feeling somewhat more like yourself instead of the zombie you had become. It's time to step back into the real world and start your life again. You had spent enough time wallowing and your boss at the Jeffersonian was getting a little testy about your absence. Although he could hardly complain you had not taken a sick day or a vacation day since you started working there three years ago. You loved your job though. Ancient Artifact acquisition was something that was perfect for you. Examining, investigating and cataloging all artifacts that came into the Jeffersonian were thrilling! You had never tied yourself to a time era or geographically place. You loved it all! So this was exactly right for you!
It was a long day. 15 artifacts had needed to be cataloged today. One piece in particular drove you mad today. You finally figured out after hours of research that it was 13th century Japanese. A Jomon period vessel from 3000-2000bc. You had known it was Japanese in origin, but you had a hell of a time discovering the period.
Deciding that you are not in the mood to cook tonight; you run by KFC after work. Its 8 o'clock by the time you get home. After a half hour of eating way too much, especially the cole slaw your sluggish brain thinks it might be a good idea to make it an early night. Besides that means Friday will come quicker. You can't wait until the following evening!
You put on your nightgown and climb into bed. You sigh as you sink into the bed. You're exhausted but you love it. You're just about to fall asleep when the phone rings. Reaching blindly in the dark you grope for the phone. Finally getting hold of it you bring it up to your ear.
"Hello." You mumble sleepily.
"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" says that voice and it's apologetic.
The voice permeates you sleep fogged brain and your eyes fly open.
"Um, no, well yes, you did, but it's ok." You say.
"I'll let you go back to sleep then. I'm sorry for waking you." He says awkwardly.
"No!" You say quickly. "Really it's ok."
"Are you sure?" He asks?
"Of course," You respond.
"How come you're asleep so early? Isn't it only 9:30 in California?" He asks.
"I had a long day at work today an since I'm really looking forward to tomorrow evening I figured the best thing to do was just to go bed." You say honestly.
He chuckles lowly and you feel a swooping in your belly. That has to be the sexiest thing you had ever heard.
"Are we looking forward to dinner tomorrow?" He asks teasingly.
"What if I am?" you respond in equal.
"I would have to say that's a good thing because I'm looking forward to it too." He says and you can hear the slight quiver in his voice. Is he embarrassed to say that? It's sweet and cute and it intrigues you makes you wonder. You want to know more about him.
He changes the subject, "You said you had a long day at work so I was wondering what you do for a living?"
You have to admit you love it when people ask you what you do for a living. You love the awed look you get when you tell people where you work and what you do. Plus you love talking about your job!
"I work at the Jeffersonian institute. I work in the acquisition department indentifying and catalog ancient artifacts." You try hard not too sound too proud.
"Wow! Really? I love ancient history!"
And this is the point it truly starts...that initial connection. You talk for hours about ancient history and everything under the sun! He's very smart and you love the way he speaks. Very few people can handle you in lengthy conversation. They get lost and eventually have no idea what you're talking about. They just smile and nod like they really understand what you're saying and you end up doing most of the talking.
He never gets lost. Part way through the conversation you ask him "Ok now I have to know what you do for living?"
He hesitates, "Uh, well, I I'm in music."
"Oh really? Like teaching music or playing music?" You ask.
"Well playing I guess," He says chuckling a bit. "But I teach a little too. I teach music classes for some underprivileged children."
"Wow! That's very commendable." You say.
"Well I love children and music is being cut from a lot of schools. Especially the inner city schools." His voice has an edge of sadness to it. This affects him.
Your eyes happen to zero in on your alarm clock and you realize that it is now 1:30 in the morning! You had been on the phone for four hours! You can't stop the gasp that escapes you.
"What is it?" he asks you.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" you ask, laughter ringing in your voice.
"What? No I don't, why?" he asks suspiciously.
"It's 1:30 in the morning here. Doesn't that make it like 4:30 in the morning in New York?" you ask.
"Are you serious?" he replies. "Hold on." He comes back in a few seconds and says "Wow, I didn't think that we were on the phone that long."
"Neither did I." you laugh.
"Well I should probably get some sleep. I have to be up fairly early." He says ruefully.
"Did I keep you up?" you as embarrassed. Did you talk too much?
"Not at all," He responds. "I had a great time talking to you. I'll call you tomorrow to tell you how to get to my apartment. What time do you get off work?"
"I'm only working a half day tomorrow." You answer. "I have some shopping to do. So about 12:30pm. I should be done shopping by late afternoon. So why don't you call me about 3:30, I should be home by then."
"Ok, well I'm really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow." He says quietly.
"Me too," you respond in kind.
"Sweet dreams." He whispers.
"You too." You whisper back. "Good night."
"Sleep well." He says.
You place the phone back in its charger and lean back against the pillows. What an amazing and charismatic man! One of the things you craved was a man who could actually talk to you. Most of the men you had dealt with had a tendency to think of you as a know-it-all. Your eagerness about the following evening increasing even more. Your thoughts wander towards the all time important question about Friday evening.
What in the hell are you going to wear?
