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I switched the water to warm and finished washing my body and hair in no time flat, needing to get out of a situation where anything dangled dangerously. I got dressed and headed out to the kitchen to make coffee, wondering what to do with my Saturday. Part of me wanted to wait around the apartment to see what Charlotte’s plans for the day were. Another part of me said that was pathetic and maybe a little creepy, especially given she mentioned her hope to sleep in.
I looked at my running shoes by the door and my work bag hanging from an island chair while I waited for my coffee to finish brewing. None of that called to me the way sitting on the couch and pretending to watch college football pre-shows until Charlotte came out of her room did. Slightly creepy Saturday morning, it is.
Taking my coffee to the couch, I turned the TV on but made sure the volume was low enough it couldn’t possibly disturb my roommate. Maybe I should go get donuts? Or bagels? Or something? But then what if she leaves and I miss her?
I put my hands to my face, groaning into them. Who was this person she turned me into?
“Everything okay there, champ?”—I jumped—“Did you suddenly gain supersonic hearing or something? Why’s the TV so low?”
“No supersonic hearing, though glad your ninja powers are intact. I just didn’t want to wake you.”
Charlotte laughed. “Sorry I scared you. You okay on coffee or need more?”
She made her way to the coffee machine, which gave me a chance to look at her fully. I wasn’t sure if things would be awkward this morning or not. So far, so good. She didn’t look tense from behind.
“I’m okay. I just got this cup. I didn’t expect you up so early.”
“I didn’t think I would be either, but I passed out basically as soon as my head hit the pillow, and when I woke up, I felt well-rested. I guess six solid hours of sleep is an improvement on three or four hours of stress sleep.”
Charlotte sipped her coffee from where she leaned against the front of the kitchen island, facing me in the living room. Her hair was sleep-tousled, her face free of makeup, and she looked relaxed and at ease for the first time in weeks. But she claimed she fell asleep right away? Was it not awkward right now because she was going to pretend our kiss never happened? Because that just wouldn’t do.
“So, what are you up to today?” I asked as I stretched my arms over my head in a way that I knew would reveal the sliver of stomach above the band of my joggers. I watched Charlotte’s eyes take in that span of skin as she licked her lips. That was better.
“Uh… today. Yes.” Charlotte blinked, her eyes back on mine. “I realized I’ve been here for two months and haven’t had a chance to explore anything outside the district. So, I thought I’d hop over to Virginia and check out Old Town Alexandria. It looks so cute in photos. There’s supposed to be a great independent bookstore there, and lots of neat restaurants and coffee shops.”
“Oh, that sounds like fun. I’ve been wanting to check out Old Town too. Head out in thirty minutes?”
I finished the final swig of coffee in my mug and went to set it in the sink.
“Oh, uh, you want to come? I figured you’d have to work? You’ve been working weekends recently…”
I walked up to Charlotte and set my fingers under her chin, bringing her eyes up to meet mine.
“Not last weekend, remember? And before that, I didn’t want to be here and not be… well, be with you. So, is it okay if I spend the day with you?”
Charlotte nodded, moving my fingers up and down with her chin, her eyes wide.
I felt a broad smile cross my face.
“Great. See you in thirty.”
“Can we make it an hour? I’d really like to shower before we head out and not feel rushed.”
“Of course. Take all the time you need,” I said with meaning.
I bent to pop a quick kiss on Charlotte’s forehead before heading back to my room, leaving her stunned in the kitchen. I wasn’t going to let her pretend something wasn’t happening here. I’d respect the uncertainty I felt within her last night and go slow, but if she didn’t want this, Charlotte would have to use her big girl words to say so.
Alittle over an hour later, Charlotte and I were exiting onto the street in front of our building. It was crisp and sunny, a perfect day for exploring a new place with your current favorite person. Charlotte was dressed in a bright pink sweater and deep teal puffy vest that made her blue eyes shine. Her jeans made her ass look fantastic, and they were tucked into boots that came up to her knees. A few too many layers, maybe, but she looked so fucking cute.
“So, how are we getting to Old Town?” I asked, sliding my sunglasses on to protect from the bright autumn rays.
“The Metro?” Charlotte asked, pointing in the direction we would need to head to enter the closest station.
“What if we took the Potomac Water Taxi over from the Wharf? I bet the trees look great, and it shouldn’t be too windy on the water today.”
“Oh, sure. I didn’t realize that was an option. I do miss the New England foliage this fall. It’s the first time I won’t get to see Holly Ridge change colors.”
“Well then, we have to take the water taxi. I’ll order a car to get us over to the dock.”
