One of the girls you dance with, Jade, just moved into a new apartment with her fiancé sort of in our neighborhood. Since you helped her move in, they invited us over for dinner and to see the new place all set up. I like Jade, she's really smart and really funny and really beautiful. Not as beautiful as you, babe. What I really like about Jade is that you two bonded while you were out on tour. She was your roommate for most of the month, and you two were able to commiserate over missing your significant others. You two kept each other company, sane and in the long-run game.
You come back to my place from work with a bottle of wine and hop in the shower to get ready. I offer to help, but you smirk while saying it'll take longer that way. You're right, it totally will. We don't have to dress up for them, so you come out into the living room with your hair wet and wrapped up in a bun, v-neck t on and jeans that make you look like you're not from this planet. Suddenly, I don't want to leave.
You see the look in my eyes and pat my ass with a "Nu uh, Baby" and walk out the door, with a little extra sway, waiting for me to follow you into the hall. I don't think I look up the entire time I do. We make the short walk over to Jade's and are welcomed into a warm apartment that smells divine. We've only been dating for a short while, so I'm still not used to all your friends, but Jade is kind and inviting and you love her, so I'll love her.
Turns out, Jade and Mike just got a new kitten and I know I'm in trouble. You love animals of all kinds and you're on the floor playing with the kitten before we even settle in. Jade just laughs, and I giggle as I sit down. You look up at me with big blue eyes and I know the discussion of pets will come up sooner rather than later. I'm more of a dog person though, so I hope when it happens, we can agree.
You had a cat growing up and talk about him constantly. He passed on a few years ago, and I can tell you're still upset about it. You have such a big, open heart. You love all of your friends' pets, you love pets in your building, you love pets you see on the street or sidewalk cafes. You are just too much sometimes and it's too adorable.
We start chatting about the neighborhood, and Mike asks me for restaurant recommendations. That really gets me going, and I tell him about my favorite hole in the wall Italian restaurant that's around the corner from here. They only take cash, and they make the most delicious food. "The chef is this little old Italian man who is in his 80s and he still cooks every day. Sometimes he'll even come out of the kitchen and ask random tables how everything is." I glance over to you as I'm talking, my hands waving around, and your face is glowing. The smile you give me sends me chills. I'm talking about the place I took you on our first date.
You chime in with a couple comments and recommendations, still on the floor with the kitten. I can feel myself relaxing around Jade and Mike, glancing at you as you entertain yourself with the furball. Mike is in the middle of a good joke when I see you stand up out of the corner of my eye. You walk over to the loveseat and sit down next to me, kissing me on the cheek and pulling my hand onto your thigh. I can tell he's getting to the punchline when I see something move on your shirt. I pull my attention away from Mike and stare at your chest. You have the kitten tucked into the breast pocket of your t-shirt, his head bobbing back and forth as he fights the sleep that is so desperately taking hold.
I just about die right there.
I can feel my heart jumping through my body with overwhelming adoration for you. It is so completely cute that I can't stand it. I squeeze your thigh and you look at me, a smirk on your face.
You know exactly what you're doing to me.
The best part about it, though, is that you're not even trying to do it. You're just being you. Your amazing, beautiful, wonderful you and I can't even handle how much I love it.
Jade notices the kitten, and lets out an aww, picking up her phone to snap a photo. She texts it to you and gives me a knowing smile. We all get quiet for a second and I can hear the little furball start purring. You giggle, it must tickle, and he flinches but doesn't wake up. His little butt is curled in the bottom of your pocket, pulling your shirt down with his added weight, but no one wants to move him. We resume our conversation and after a few minutes he wakes up and yawns, but doesn't make a move to get out of your pocket, instead purring contentedly. You scratch under his chin and his purrs get louder.
When it's about time to eat dinner, you reluctantly pull him from your pocket and set him in the corner of the couch. He lets out the tiniest mews and I can see you struggle to leave him there. I grab your hand and lead you over to the table, kissing it as we walk.
Dinner is delicious and wonderful, your friends are fantastic. We eat dessert in the living room and the kitten curls up on your lap, immediately drawn to you. I know the feeling. All animals seem to love you as much as you love them. It's as if they can see your soul and your heart, like I can.
Jade and Mike are an absolutely fabulous couple and I know they'll be a go to when we want to do group activities. They're warm and engaging and they complement each other so well, kind of like we do. It warms my heart knowing that I fit in with your friends and that I like them. I think I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Jade, though.
After dessert and some more wine, and some great stories from the two of them about how they met and one disastrous vacation they took together, we all seem to notice how late it is at the same time. I see you stifle a yawn out of the corner of my eye and know that you're exhausted. You never really let anyone know when you're tired though, always so mindful of everyone's feelings and never wanting to cut the fun short. But, it's late and we all know it.
We stand up and say our goodbyes. I see you squeezing the little kitten tight and dropping a kiss on his tiny little head and feel my smile radiate through my body. Jade catches me looking at you and teases me, but I don't really even have a good comeback for her because I'm just so lost in you. She shoots me a wink as she closes the door behind us, she knows as well as I do that I'm a goner. I'm just glad she approves.
You grab my hand when we reach the street and bump my shoulder with yours, yawning again. I kiss the back of your hand and you shoot me that smile I love. That smile that you only give to me.
And I swoon. Again.