“Oh.”
“He was seeing someone.”
“I see.”
“But...it was about us too,” she confessed.
“I know you need some time,” he told her. She looked at him and was so drawn to him. She stood on the tip of her toes and reached to kiss him but was suddenly interrupted.
“Oh...I’m sorry,” Beth said, suddenly realizing she had walked in on a private moment.
“It’s ok, Mrs. Davidson,” Angela assured her.
“I was wondering if you wanted me to start cleaning up the food and drink tables.”
“Sure. Yes, we should get started on that. I’ll help you.”
She looked at Michael, yearning for him.
“I should get going,” he told her. “Unless, you ladies need some help,” he offered.
“No. No. We’re fine,” Angela told him.
“You’re ok to get home tonight?” he asked; almost an invitation.
“I’m fine.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
As Angela helped Beth clean the food and drink tables, a passion suddenly took her over. Who cared what was proper. What if she had just gotten out of a relationship; she loved him. She wanted him. She imagined herself making love to him, his tender passionate touch. She decided that after she was done with the clean-up, she would drive to his house and tell him she wanted him. It seemed bold, and she wasn’t sure she could pull it off, but she would certainly try.
Michael sat in his car, looking into the distance at the lights flickering on the buildings. He was not ready to leave. Most of the cars had made their way out already; just a few were lagging behind. He was waiting for her. He knew she had wanted to kiss him before they were interrupted and - he was going to get that kiss.
Twelve
Angela hadn’t realizedthe work involved in cleaning up the show. When they were done with the food and drinks, she had to set aside the tables and chairs and displays. As she disassembled the display boards, she cursed her screwdriver. She wished she had a powered one; anything to make this go faster. The faster she worked, the more mistakes she made which ultimately made her fall behind further. She looked at her watch; eleven o’clock. She felt like she was never getting out of there. The other volunteers were doing their best as well, eager to go home to their families.
As she left the building, she and Christine were the last ones out.
“You were fantastic tonight, Angela,” Christine told her.
“Thank you. I enjoyed it.”
“Michael was right. You are perfect,” she said as she walked to her car.
Michael.
Angela felt a pang in her stomach. It was too late to go see Michael. By the time she’d get there, it would be too late. She just couldn’t show up at his door at all hours.
Michael had been patient. He had waited for her. He spotted her as soon as she came out the door. He was glad to see Christine walk over to her car in an opposite direction. He finally had Angela all to himself. She was fiddling with her keys, carrying a box, her hip holding it against the car.
He walked over to her. She jumped at the sound of his steps; it was dark and she was alone. She turned around to see him. He didn’t say a word. He just took her box and sat it on the hood. He pressed his hands on her cheeks and kissed her intensely. His kiss was like nothing else; she couldn’t get enough of him. She drew him closer to her. Her tongue in his mouth, she pulled his shirt up, his warm soft stomach warmed her fingers; a sharp contrast to the night’s cool air. She felt him strongly against her.
“I just wanted my kiss,” he said, barely breathing.
“That’s...all you...want?” she said, between kisses.
She knew this was almost the point of no return. If she were to go any further, she could not think logically and might do something foolish.
“I think....we better stop,” she told him, breathless.
