Risky Business

Everyone has at least one. That opposite sex friend you share stories with. Confess intimate details of your life in an easy give and take approximating a relationship. Joke and laugh and cajole through the day. Occassionally offer a bit of comfort. And then one day it happens. You find yourself single. They find themselves single. And that little voice at the back of your brain starts a nagging... wondering... conjuring salacious thoughts and pleasing little images. What would THAT be like. And there it starts my friend - the anticipation game.

The mental tug of war over whether or not to put your supposition out there, risking not quite your heart, but maybe your dignity for a steamy snog against a wall, a little shiver on the back of your neck from warm breath in your ear or fingertips trailing down your spine. And that warm, safe comfort of someone who couldn't possibly hurt you. Who's held your hand and your heart through some rough patches. Wait a minute, are you really willing to risk that for a bit of passionate fumbling? Maybe the dry spell warrants it. Put on your confidence and take a walk into the unknown. Risk the friendship and go for it.

Think you may need to slow your roll, cowboy. What were the signs? You know, those little indications that he'd be snogging back. Well, none really. Is this the point where I mention I am somewhat obtuse when men enter the equation? Let's poll the girlfriends, is he interested? He's sending you links to poetry and emailing six times a day, check, he's interested. But, he doesn't take it to another venue, but he doesn't just ask you out, but his wounds are too fresh. And thus begins the circular rounds of logic, keeping you frozen in place.

So what's my point? Eye of the Tiger has me a bit captivated. Not sure what to do about it. We're definitely flirting. I'd like him to back me up against the wall and kiss me senseless. But would he? And can that really be an opening line at this point? We've known each other about 6 years. "Hey, I'd like to see you naked, or at least feel your pecs," could be an awkward topic. And so my friends I've created a ticking time bomb. When talking about angst he mentioned that if I asked him to skip work the next day and hit NYC he'd be in a tizzy as his schedule would be on end and what would he do. He went on to say he'd have the same reaction if it was (2) weeks from now. Never one to let an opportunity to poke fun go by, I threw out, hey! Let's skip work in (2) weeks and hit up Providence, much milder than NYC with the allure of non-Hartford. And he said lets! And then we compared non skip items - my vacation, his big work presentation. And D-day is fast approaching. Do I bring it up? Do I let him? Do I go? Do I make a move? The world may never know...