Twice the Second Chance

Chapter 3 - A Year Late In A Life

(one year later)

The dissolution of our marriage ended up being fairly amicable. We shared an attorney, there were very few arguments in the splitting of our assets, & we walked away as friends. We even had mind-blowing, breakup s*x.

Although it was the best s*x we'd had in years, it seemed to solidify it was the best decision for both of us. Although Don claimed to have been happy, even he seemed happier after the split.

I'm glad to have finally moved on, but that didn't mean it's all been sunshine & roses. I still get lonely, but now I don't have to hide my "battery operated toys." It's not the same as a man, but it'll do in a pinch.

I also began working out again. I used to be in amazing shape, but the last few years of our marriage, I had put on some weight. I think I was subconsciously making sure I would not be tempted by someone else. Yes, I've got my own issues. I know.

But I'm looking pretty good now. Am I where I used to be? No, but who is at 50?

I've been on a few dates, here & there, but nothing serious. It's just so weird. I was with Don for 30 years. The dating landscape had completely changed in that time, & Don was right about one thing. We were comfortable with each other. I'm not even sure if I'll remember how to be that fully comfortable with someone new.

Which leads me to tonight. I somehow let myself get talked into going out on a zombie pub crawl with a group from work. Surprisingly, the makeup feels like the easiest part of the night. I feel like I've somehow mastered the balance between showing enough of my figure to look alluring while still looking dead & decaying. Who knew there was such a thing?

***********************************

I'm one of the "elders" of our group, but I am having a surprisingly good time. Since I have Huffs, my chocolate lab to take care of when I get home, I've been trying to pace myself on my drinking. I follow up every drink with water or soda. I have a good buzz going, & no one with us is the wiser.

Suddenly the perfect song for a Zombie pub crawl comes on: Thriller by Michael Jackson! I drag as many of my coworkers as possible onto the dance floor with me & begin to teach them the dance from the video. I practiced it so much with my friends while watching Friday Night Videos back in the day, that muscle memory takes over. By the end of the song at least half the bar has joined in with us in singing, dancing, & laughing along.

As Thriller ends, Faithfully by Journey begins. What is it about this bar & the 80s music? I'm digging it though - it's like a nod to my youth. However, it is a slow song, so it's my signal to exit the dance floor, but before I can leave the dance floor, a large, warm hand grabs my own.

The next thing I know, there's another hand on my opposite hip & a deep, baritone of a voice rumbling in my ear, "Dance with me." My breath hitched. It was like shock waves were dancing throughout my body. I swear my toes curled.

I was frozen. His warm breath on my ear was heating my core. Before I could process what was happening, his hand snuck around my waist & I was spun around into a mountain of a man.

My breath again hitched as I was met with the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes with amber flecks. The kind of eyes you could get lost in for days. It felt like they bore into my soul as he again rumbled, "Dance with me."

It felt like every ounce of moisture pooled together, making my thong a sopping mess. I was afraid to say anything for fear of my voice cracking. Mesmerized by his eyes, I nodded my head, never breaking eye contact.

He pulled me close. So close I could feel every ripple of his muscular chest. I could also feel that he was responding in kind to me, if you know what I mean. He smelled ridiculously good, too. Like sandalwood & cedar & musk. It was intoxicating.

He leanded in so close to my ear that he was nearly touching it & whispered, "Just breathe." I turned my head & flushed with embarrassment, realizing I had been holding my breath. I swear I saw him smirk.

Enough of this foolishness. I'm a grown, a** woman - act like it! I decided to look him straight in the face, fighting the urge to once again gasp. Not only was he over a foot taller than me (easy to be when I'm only 5'2") & chiseled, he had rich, golden-bronzed skin with shiny, shaggy, chocolatey brown hair & a hint of a dimple that showed when a hint of a smile began to tug at him. And then there were his lips. Full, soft, cushiony lips that i found myself wanting to know how they'd feel kissing me ask over. It was like he was molded in my dreams.

Only he was young. Much too young. He was probably 20 years younger than me!

I suddenly realized he had never let my hand go as we transitioned to dancing. I prayed it wasn't sweaty & clammy, as I relished the feel of his other hand grasping my hip.

"I'm Evan," he whispered. Who knew a whisper could resonate around the body & nearly bring you to your knees? Somehow, his whisper did.

"I'm Marni," I breathed out, having finally my found my voice.

A smile crept up on his face as his voice seemed to drop an octave & become even gravelier, "Marni.." It was like he was mulling it over & trying out how it sounded coming from his lips. And I liked how sounded. Very much.

I didn't think it was possible, but he somehow pulled me even closer as his hand curled around to the small of my back, then slid further south. "Marni…" he repeated, tightening his grasp on my backside. He then leanded in closer, allowing his lips to brush my ear as he said, "it's almost as beautiful as you."

And just like that I was lost in a bubble of just the two of us. I couldn't help but ask myself, how did I get here?