New Friend

Out of Sight but On the Mind

A week later. No calls. No texts. Not even a stolen glance during a random passing at work. Tara even changed up her bus route and time to work to avoid any encounters. Tara felt like the decision to walk out was a responsible one but it left a dull ache in her stomach pining for Alex's smooth lips and sweet touch.

And finally, seven days passing, ordering in the cafeteria at work, Tara heard a familiar burst of laughter down the hall. She turned to see Alex talking in a group. Relaxed, she looked. Laughing gregariously with her head tilted back and squeezing an arm of a friend in the group. There's not a whole lot that can be said right now, thought Tara. She decided to grab her drink and head toward the elevator. Waiting for the elevator to open, she took another glimpse at Alex, and saw the two women exchange numbers. As the doors closed, Alex pulls up her sunglasses, and she and Tara lock eyes.

Noon rolls around and Tara's boss has asked her to sit in on a meeting for him with the Products and Services Outreach team. Tara makes her way up to the floor and as she shuffles by the cubicles, she notices a flowery candy dispenser at the corner window cubicle. Her heart stops for a moment as she sees the silvery short blonde curls. A slower walking pace and she sees Alex lick her lips and bite the pen cap as if she's in deep thought.

Damn those smooth, plump lips - Tara thinks to herself.

Tara closes the meeting and says bye to the staff. This time walking back to the elevator she works up the nerve to stop at Alex's desk.

"He--..." _ Tara gets cut off.
"So...you've decided to stop staring and come speak, then?" - Alex
"There's a lot I have been thinking about. A lot I should have said. And...it wasn't right to leave you hanging like that. " - Tara
"I know you needed time. I would apologize for telling you how I felt but I am glad I did. When I am around you, I feel so happy. You're different. You inspire me." - Alex
"I don't want to keep pretending like I'm not falling for you. But I also don't want to hurt Cory. He loves me and I want to be with him." - Tara
Alex looks down and sighs.

"Yeah I know. I'm ok with being here. Being around until you figure your shit out. I'll be discrete with you. I've been in that situation before and I don't want to confuse things for you." - Alex
"It's not fair to keep you waiting on me. I thought we could do this and keep it causal but I'm falling for you too and (laughs sheepishly) gosh, I just haven't felt this way about another woman in a long time." - Tara
"I'll be around. I'm not mad at you for leaving. I don't want to put you in a situation to have to do that again though." - Alex
"Ok, I have to get back to work. I'll call you." - Tara
Alex smiled with just the corner of her mouth, sort of unsure about what's next with Tara. At the same time, she had work to get completed and just got another woman's number. They had a connection but nothing like what she felt with Tara.
"Ok, talk to you soon." - Alex
Tara headed back to her floor, relieved that she finally had a chance to talk with Alex.