Chapter 6
In my past, I've dealt with a lot of negativity and rejection. It's not a complaint, but merely a fact that I've dealt with and moved on from. The fact that Andrew's mid-terms, course loads, and all around need to study have taken precedence over our time together would normally get me down, but we seem to have fallen into a really good place. He makes time for me whenever possible, and I really appreciate that. Honestly, all I need is to know he's thinking about me and I'm on cloud nine.
My new job is keeping me busy as well, so I haven't had a lot of time to think about how little I've seen Andrew. I've been training with Jen, the gal that I interviewed with (and my new boss) and she is wonderful. I've learned so much from her. It feels so good to finally be doing something in my life that is not only positive for me, but helps others. Plus, I've made some great friends as well, Jen being one of them.
Friday comes around and I haven't heard from Andrew regarding plans for the night, so when Jen asks me to join her out for drinks to meet some other new co-workers I jump at the invite. I follow Jen to a little dive bar just a few blocks from our Hospice agency and note that it's happy hour boasts not only two dollar pints, but three dollar mixed drinks as well (ohhhh this could be trouble).
"This place has the best un-discovered happy hour in town. The college kids don't usually pack in here until around ten pm, and they keep the free chips and salsa coming!" Jen says as she grabs my hand and leads me to a large pub style table already occupied by some of our co-workers. I recognize some and say hello, and Jen introduces me to the rest. I'm welcomed warmly into the group and for the first time in my life, I feel right at home.
"So Kami, what brings you to Ann Arbor?" Lucy, one of the home health care nurses asks. She's as cute as her name with a grey wrap dress hugging her slim petite frame. Her shoulder length brown hair is slightly frizzy, suggesting that perhaps its actually curly and she flat irons it. She has haphazardly bobby pinned it out of her face and her hazel eyes are framed by trendy tortoise shell glasses.
"I needed a fresh start I guess," I reply, not really wanting to delve into my past with people I've just met. "My sister lives here, she's a professor at UofM, and has been kind enough to let me crash with her while I get back on my feet," I say, hoping my simple response is enough about me without having to go into further detail. "How about you Lucy, why did you become a nurse?" I ask, turning the conversation away from myself. She goes on to explain about loved ones she lost as a young girl, and how she has always enjoyed helping people and thought nursing would be a good fit.
I've just come back to the table with a round of drinks when I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. It's a text from Andrew... Happy Friday Love, anything going on tonight?
I'm out putting the happy in happy hour...care to join? I text back hoping he says yes.
Hell yes...I could use a beer like yesterday, where are you? I text Andrew the address and he lets me know he's about twenty minutes out, but on his way.
****
Jen's eyes bulge slightly and her cheeks flush as she looks towards the door about a half hour later, "Holy hell Ladies, the hotties have started to arrive early tonight...check that guy out!" she says, and everyone not-so-nonchalantly directs their attention towards the bar entrance. Andrew smiles when our eyes meet and gives me a sweet little shy wave. I smile back and wave him over, pleased with myself that I can call the hottie, mine.
"You know that guy?" Hope, another home healthcare nurse asks, tipping her head toward Andrew as he walks to our table.
"That's my boyfriend," I say like it's not a big deal that he's the hottest guy in the place. Andrew approaches and I will say... standing there in jeans, and a fitted t-shirt under his unzipped leather bike jacket, helmet in hand...he is hot as hell. Andrew leans over, whispering hello into my ear, apologizing for taking so long to get here, then kisses my forehead.
"Ladies, this is Andrew...Andrew, these lovely ladies are my new coworkers," I say fanning my hand around the table Vanna White style. Andrew greets them with a charming smile and they all take turns introducing themselves.
"I'm going to grab a beer, can I offer you ladies another round?" Andrew asks while pulling his phone out so he can take the table's orders.
"You didn't tell me your boyfriend is so gorgeous Kami, and he rides a motorcycle?" Jen teases after Andrew goes to get the drinks.
"Was I supposed to divulge that during the interview process?" I tease, the cocktails have certainly helped to put me more at ease...or maybe it's just Andrew's presence. I hold both hands up doing air quotes with my middle and index fingers and say, "Hello, my name is Kami Mason, I'm here to interview for the Laison position with UofM. Here is my resume, and oh...my boyfriend is gorgeous and rides a motorcycle,"?
"Yah, I supposed it wouldn't quite be legal to hire you based on that criteria, huh?" Jen laughs, "But you impressed us so much during your phone interview that the in - person interview was just a formality really."
Again, validation that my choice was the right one. Without even meeting in person, I had been chosen as the best person for the job. I try to hide the huge smile that is creeping across my face but I can't. Pure elation mixed with alcohol makes it impossible to hide the feelings I already wear on my sleeve. Jen meets my smile with a conspiring wink and I know she is happy with my hire as well.
"How was your day Hun?" Andrew asks as he takes a seat vacated by one of the other nurses that was smart enough to leave after the last round and will most likely be the only one not nursing a hangover tomorrow (hehe I'm punny).
Andrew smiles brightly at me as I grab his hand, placing it on my thigh. I take a quick sip of my gin and tonic before answering him, "It was great, Babe, I've missed you though. How are your mid-terms going?"
"Ugh, brutal. I'm glad I got ahold of you this evening. I've been missing you too but if I don't have complete tunnel vision and focus on my classes I'll let myself get completely distracted by you and it'll take me twice as long to get through school 'cause I'll be repeating all my classes."
"No worries, I completely understand," I say, "Besides, I've got a lot to learn right now as well, so we're in the same place. It's kind of nice in a way...we can focus on our own stuff, and when we get time together we'll appreciate it that much more."
"True. Thank's for not being one of those girls that pressures her man into spending every waking moment with her. It can be a little overwhelming to say the least." Andrew chuckles and the face he makes speaks volumes. I'd say he's had to deal with a stage five clinger or two in his past.
"I like where we are right now. We've fallen sweetly in love but we're okay with letting that be it for right now. We both have our own things going on and I like that we can be at peace with just being happy. I've done the hard, lonely, frustrating relationship thing. I'm happy for the first time in way too long Andrew, and you have a lot to do with that. I want to just hang out and enjoy that feeling for a while without any added pressure," I say.
Andrew just shakes his head slightly, letting out one of his throaty laughs and squeezing the hand on my leg. "That was sweet, but how much have you had to drink tonight?"
"Too much," I laugh along with him, completely forgetting that we are now ignoring my co-workers, "I get a little flowery with my words when I've had a few, sorry."
"It's cute...but I think I'll go get you a water." Andrew says then stands to go to the bar.
"You two are too adorable," Jen says as Andrew grabs some water from the bartender, "how long have you been dating?"
"Not long actually, but it's a cute story that I'll tell you sometime when I'm not filled with gin and taco chips," I say as I reach for the water that Andrew has just returned with.
"She threw coffee on me at Zingerman's then flirted with me later that night on Twitter. How could I not fall for that?" Andrew says as kisses the top of my head gently then starts to put on his jacket.
"That does sound like a story I need to hear," Jen says.
"It is, but definitely not tonight, I'm about to turn into a pumpkin Ladies, sorry. It's time for me to go," I say. I stand up and Andrew helps me shrug into my jacket and grabs my purse for me.
"You aren't driving, are you?" Jen asks.
"I've got her. I don't condone drinking and driving," Andrew answers for me, and I can tell he's remembering his last girlfriend Maya and how he had felt thinking the driver that hit her car and killed her had been drinking and driving. I'm sure he'd never wish that feeling on anyone ever. "I'll make sure she get's home safe...it was great meeting you ladies, thanks for letting me crash your happy hour."
"Anytime!" Lucy exclaims a little more exuberantly than I think she planned and the whole table erupts into a drunken laughing fit.
"Thanks for tonight ladies, I look forward to seeing you Monday," I say before Andrew grabs my hand and leads me out of the front door. Once in the vicinity of my car he presses my key fab twice to make sure the alarm is on then guides me to his car.
"Your place or mine, Beautiful?" He asks as he opens the door for me.
"Yours. I'm definitely going to need a greasy breakfast in bed tomorrow and Natalie is out of town," I say, not even semi-kidding...the gin is really hitting my system now and I can tell tomorrow is going to be rough.
"My place it is, and lucky for you, breakfast is my specialty Ms. Mason."
****
"Ow....ugh....dammit," I growl. Normally I'm a morning person but the sunlight that is currently piercing through my closed eyelids is straight up pissing me off. I'm unable to open my eyes at the moment, but the overwhelmingly Andrew smell that has invaded my nostrils reminds me that I've woken up in Andrew's bed,not mine and I smile (well, as much as my pounding head allows). I hope I didn't embarrass myself last night, 'cause the gin in my system with nothing but a taco chip as a base has currently blocked any chance of a memory of last night's antics.
"Morning sunshine," Andrew throaty chuckles next to me.
"It's still morning? That's a shocker," I say, draping my forearm over my eyes to block out the sunshine.
"How are you feeling? I brought you some OJ and Excedrin. Are you still interested in breakfast? If i'm not mistaken you requested french toast with lots of maple syrup, maple flavored sausage, eggs that were scrambled in the maple grease from the sausage because, and this is a direct quote here, 'maple is the only thing that will save my life tomorrow'."
"OMG I'm and idiot when I'm drunk. Thanks for driving me home last night," I say, slowly uncovering my eyes and sitting up to get the Excedrin and orange juice into my system ASAP.
"Not an idiot, absolutely adorable. I enjoyed meeting your work friends and taking care of you last night."
"Well that's embarrassing, you had to take care of me?"
"I got you some water and had the pleasure of undressing you for bed. There is nothing worse than waking up in bar clothes, especially hung over. You kept asking me to help you slip into something more comfortable and wiggling your eyebrows at me...feisty," he says.
"Is that why I'm naked?" I say after a peek under the comforter to see how I ended up.
"Oh yeah..." Andrew returns the wiggling eyebrows, "nothing happened, I tucked you into my bed and got a few hours of studying done before climbing in bed and holding you all night."
"Mmmm...that sounds nice," I say as my stomach starts to growl.
"It was nice, and bonus...my studying last night freed up some time this morning with you. So come on sleepy head, get dressed. Feel free to throw on something of mine and meet me in the kitchen in a few minutes. I'm making my girl breakfast," Andrew says before kissing me sweetly on the lips and heading out his bedroom door.
I dash through the shower quickly to freshen up and wake up a little bit then borrow his toothbrush (damn he is brave for kissing me on the mouth with the taste I've got going on right now) then throw on his grey sweatpants and his Ohio State t-shirt for laughs. Of course, I'd never get caught dead wearing this in public, but I think it's a cute nod to the day we first met. I'm suddenly reminded that we briefly discussed how we met with Jen last night and I smile. The fog in my brain starts to lift and I remember telling Andrew last night just how happy I am being in love with him but taking things slow, and right now, I could not agree with Drunk Kami more. I've got a good thing going with this next life love of mine. No need to add the drama that comes with heavy discussions of the future, and how we really feel about each other. We have found a great little love with each other, and for now and as far into the future I can even imagine that seems perfect. I've found a little piece of happiness, and that's all I need.
****
"I had a little talk with Andrew today," my sister Natalie says as she walks through her front door. I've just come home from work and have changed out of my work clothes and into my go-to yoga pant/tank top/ long-sleeve ensemble.
"You did?" I ask. Natalie finally figured out that Andrew is one of her students and I've been waiting for the 'I had a talk with Andrew' conversation to come. I love Natalie, but sometimes she takes the protective big sister role to the extreme.
"Yes, I invited him to Thanksgiving dinner here next week, is that okay?"
Well holy shit, a seat at Natalie's table for Thanksgiving dinner is coveted, I would have never expected her to invite Andrew, especially as she only knows him as a student...I hope that isn't crossing any lines. Come to think about it, I can't believe he and I haven't even discussed plans for the holidays yet. I wonder how he is planning on spending his...will he go home to Texas, or stay here with me? We've both been so busy lately, and enjoying the simplicity of our relationship that we haven't really talked about anything heavy like future plans (even if its something simple and near future like Thanksgiving and Christmas).
"That's really sweet, Natalie. Thank you for including him. I hope that doesn't cross any student/faculty lines," I say giving her an out in case she hadn't thought of that, and could get in trouble for inviting him.
"I don't think it does, I'm not in a relationship with Andrew, you are. I didn't introduce you, Zingerman's and fate did. His grade in my class has nothing to do with the fact that he's dating you, especially since the semester is almost over and I've just figured out that your Andrew is one of my students."
"That makes sense," I say, "It was still really sweet of to include him though, thank you."
"No problem, I was going to talk to you about if first, but the opportunity to presented its self today, and I really wanted to be the person to invite him so he doesn't feel awkward or unwelcome. Andrew is your boyfriend first and foremost Kami, He's only my student for a few more weeks."
"True. Thanks Nat. I was expecting you to say that you threatened him within an inch of his life if he hurt me or some big sisterly thing like that."
"Well, that would most definitely be crossing a line, but I did elude to that in my own way," Natalie says. I don't even want to go there, so I just give her a huge hug, then go to my bedroom to direct message Andrew in private.
So I hear you've been given a coveted spot at Natalie's Thanksgiving dinner table...You should feel honored, Sir... I tease.
Yes ma'am...I'm bringing my Grandma's famous pecan pie.
OMG my Fave! Can't wait! I making mashed potatoes so good you'll call and thank my momma for creating me :) I joke, I love DM flirting with Andrew, it makes my heart twist in the best ways.
LOL, you're funny Hun. I'm done with mid-terms Friday, want to come over and celebrate? I'll make you a maple syrup extravaganza again on Saturday...maybe you won't be too hung over to eat it this time :)
Ya, sorry again about that...*makes note not to drink well gin again* Friday it is!
Great, gotta get back to studying...love you.
Aaaaaand....there are those heart twisties. God, that feeling is addicting. Love you too babe, good luck on the rest of your mid-terms. I say then shut off my iPad and head out of my bedroom to make dinner for Natalie and myself.
****
I knock on Andrew's door friday, and when he opens the door I surprise him with a nice bottle of Shiraz and a boutquet of wildflowers.
Andrew kisses me softly, taking the gifts from my hands then asks, "Thank you love, what is all this for?"
"The wine is for us to enjoy tonight with dinner, and the flowers are too congratulate you for making it through your first set of college mid-terms," I say as I follow him through the doorway. The most amazing, smell hits me as I walk into his kitchen. It's a hearty, savory, tomato-ey smell and it has my mouth watering instantly.
"I hope you like pot roast, it's one of my favorite meals on a cold night like this," Andrew says as he removes the lid to check on dinner.
"Lasagna, pot roast...how did you learn to cook like this? I've hear horror stories of the food the Army serves, and aren't 'college kids' (I say with air quotes so he knows I'm not being condescending) supposed to live off Ramen? I know I did,"
"My grandma was an excellent cook, and fortunately was fastidious enough to catalog her most epic meal recipes as a christmas gift my first year living with her. I still have it and use it frequently."
"Ahh, there really is nothing like Grandma's home cooking, huh?" I say as I wrap my arms around Andrews neck, coming up on my tip toes to kiss him.
"Mmmm...you can't talk about grandma's then kiss me like that babe, it fucks with a guys brain," Andrew says with a chuckle then grabs my ass. He spins me around so my back is pressed against the island, and he quickly lifts me up and sets me on the countertop standing in the V my open legs have created.
"So," I say as I break our kiss, "We haven't really talked about holiday plans. I mean, obviously you're coming over for Thanksgiving next week, but you haven't mentioned your plans for holiday break. Will you be flying home to Texas?" I ask, trying to keep my voice cool and calm like I haven't already pictured us opening sockings while sipping spiked eggnog Christmas morning.
Andrew laughs and gives me one of his 'you're adorable' kisses on the cheek. "I am spending Christmas with my family. It's the only time we are all together and I think my brothers would kick my ass if I don't show up. That, or my mom will disown me." He chuckles.
I try to keep my expression passive and not sad we won't be together but also remind myself that a.) we haven't been together for that long so it's not exactly fair to expect him to drop his traditions to be with me, b.) It might be good to spend my first holidays as a divorcee by myself and truly be the strong independent woman I keep telling myself that I am, and finally c.) I still have Natalie to spend Christmas Day with so it's not like I'm actually going to be alone. "Well that sounds like fun, I haven't actually asked Natalie what our plans will be but knowing her, a marathon shopping spree at Briarwood followed by sushi and more shopping downtown will be in order," I say.
Andrew grabs my chin gently, raising it slightly so that I look up to meet his eyes, "Just because I'll be home for Christmas Day doesn't mean I haven't thought about spending time with you," He says, then kisses me softly on the tip of my nose. "Plus, I booked my flight back to Michigan on the twenty seventh, so even if I have to deal with delayed or cancelled flights, I should still be back in time to spend New Years Eve with you. I thought that might be more special for you."
I can't even try to hide how ridiculously happy the fact that he had me in mind when making his plans has made me as a huge smile crosses my face. "That sounds perfect. Thank you for considering me when booking your flights, Babe. We haven't really been together that long so I wasn't sure if are doing the whole holiday as a couple thing."
"I love you Kami, it's important for me to be with my family during the holidays, but there is no one else I want to kiss at midnight on New Years Eve," Andrew says, then kisses my lips hard and passionately, pulling me close as I wrap my legs around his waist. "There. That one was just a practice," he says with a wink, then picks me up off the counter and sets me on my feet. "Why don't you grab some plates, dinner is ready."
Later on as I lay in Andrews arms, both of us panting after round three of some nice, then fabulously rough, then beautifully soft love making I gently rub the shrapnel scars over his heart as I say, "Thank you again for thinking of me when making your holiday plans. That means more to me than you will ever know."
Andrew kisses me softly on the top of my head, squeezing me tight, "Love, there is no where else I'd rather be on New Years Eve than with you. I can't wait for us to start this next year in your next life together."
I thought after three amazing rounds we'd both be satisfied for the evening, but just hearing those simple words, the fact that he genuinely wants to be with me after feeling for so long that I am nothing but an afterthought stirs something deep within me. Just like this next life of mine, I grab the reigns and take control of round four of the evening with Andrew...okay, round five as well.