Since it was after lunch on a weekday, the store was very slow. Therefore, a few of the sales associates meandered over, having nothing better to do, and soon it became a one-man fashion show.
At first, he was very stiff. Glowering when he emerged from his dressing room, clearly uncomfortable. It didn't help that he had no idea how to put on nice clothes.
One of the sales guys, Mason I think, noticing how Matt had left his shirt untucked and was wearing dress pants without a belt, shook his head, saying, "You need an intervention, bro."
As it turned out, Mason and Keely-the female attendant who had set up Matt's dressing room-were dating and were happy to tag team him, where Mason was bad cop and Keely was good cop.
"No, bro. Don't wear it like that." Mason unbuttoned the top two buttons of Matt's shirt. "You can't button it all the way. You only button it all the way if you're wearing a tie. Didn't anyone ever tell you that?"
"No," Matt answered honestly, turning to look at himself in the mirror once Mason and Keely had adjusted his clothes. His frown turned upside down and he blinked, like he didn't recognize himself, but he liked what he saw.
It was such an adorable moment, I could only tuck my hands under my chin and watch quietly.
"You look so great," Keely said enthusiastically. "This is like one of those makeover shows."
"How long y'all been dating?" Mason asked me at one point while Matt was changing.
"Oh, um. We're not. We're just friends."
Mason blinked at me, his eyes traveling over my body. "Is he gay?"
Keely smacked her boyfriend on the shoulder, laughing. "He's not gay. He's clueless."
"Clearly." Mason mouth transformed into a dissatisfied line.
"Don't worry, Mamma." Keely gave me a wink, leaning close. "He'll figure it out. Sometimes you have to lead the horse to water."
I shook my head, and it was on the tip of my tongue to correct her, to say that I wasn't interested in him that way, but I couldn't. Because over the last two weeks, we'd worked together, seen a movie together, eaten dinner and lunch together, and now, shopped together. The more time I spent with Matt, the more denying the escalation of my interest in him sounded like a lie.
14
Pizza Shoes
A pair of sneakers with a button on them that allow its owner to order pizza (by pressing the button . . . and that's it). I swear to God, I'm not making this up.
Source: Pizza Hut
My hopes were starting to revive without me explicitly telling them to do so.
I was hopeful . . . and confused.
My first clue that things were seriously amiss was my growing preoccupation with buying things for him. Everywhere I went, I saw items I wanted to get him. A Robocop mug (robomug). A Space Invaders tie. An Ultron bathrobe.
I did end up buying the Space Invaders tie. It was on sale. Yep. So I actually saved money when I bought it.
Right.
Currently, it was Thursday night and Matt had texted me again, this time to see if I was dead, or if I wanted to eat dinner. Once more, his timing was impeccable. My copy of The Cuddle Sutra had just arrived in the mail that afternoon and I needed a partner to try out the positions.
Although at first, Matt and I spent time together because of his research, but that hadn't been the case for weeks. He'd call because he was hungry for something coconut. Then because of a movie we both wanted to see, or a bar that had good cocktails.
Pretty soon, we were hanging out frequently and texting multiple times a day. It was like having a boyfriend, but without the sex. Or commitment.
Except, we did touch. A lot. We hugged and kissed each other on the cheek. Sometimes he'd kiss me on the neck if he was embracing me from behind. We even held hands when out in public.
Unless I was misreading Matt completely, I thought maybe, possibly, he was starting to feel something for me beyond just simple attraction. Sure, he hadn't said anything, but he was just so . . . so . . . big sigh.
Brilliant and affectionate, and hilarious-so hilarious-and handsome-so handsome-and just wonderful.
I felt like maybe our friendship was on the precipice of becoming something more. If additional cuddling didn't push things-and him-in the right direction, then nothing would.
Marie: You can come over but I'll need you to help me with something.
Matt: What?
Marie: Cuddle positions.
Matt: I'll be there in 5 minutes.
Matt arrived with his laptop and a 1.75L bottle of Patron Silver. For margaritas.
"Or shots?" he suggested with a grin, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
I took the gigantic bottle from him. "I've never seen a tequila bottle this big before."