I am running 30 minutes late and I'm lost.  What a terrific way to show up on a first date.  I am smooth.  There is no way around it.  Do I call and get directions for the second time?  Or do I drive aimlessly down the street again?  I can either be 45 minutes late or a complete idiot.  I choose the latter.  She answers the phone, "Where are you, Roman?"  I say, "Ummm...I'm on your street, but I can't find your place."  She looks out her window and saw me drive by.  She said, "You just passed it.  Turn around and I'll come down."  I hang up and turn around.  As I head back down the street, I see her.  I pull over and park.

   I had picked some stuff up at the store to make for dinner.  I grabbed the bag and head towards my friend.  She looked amazing.  I had never seen her put together.  I always thought she was cute.  Tonight she was beautiful and sexy.  I guess that was my signal.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  We had been friends for a long time, but nothing more.  So when we decided to get together for dinner and a movie, I wasn't sure what to think.  Then I thought, "Maybe she is just planning on going out after we're done...maybe this is just a friendly date...arrgghh.  Why can't we wear signs?"  So we head in to her apartment.  

   I set the groceries on the table.  She looks at me and pouts, "You really made me mad.  I thought you had second thoughts and weren't coming."  Then she smiles and said, "So I had to have a few drinks to calm myself down.  I'm so glad you're here!"  I walked over and gave her a hug and held her tightly.  I whispered, "So am I."  Then I let go and said, "What about dinner?"  She said, "Well I'm not hungry.  What about you?"  Of course, I concurred.  So we went to the living room to watch a movie.  She asked, "What do you want to watch?"  I said, "Whatever you want."  So we discussed it for a minute or two.  Finally, she put something in.  I have no recollection of what it was.  Then we sat on the couch.

  She sat between my legs and leaned her back into my chest.  I wrapped my arm around her belly.  I could smell her hair and feel her body breathing.  Nothing else mattered at that point.  We started talking a little bit.  We made each other laugh.  We told some secrets.  It was wonderful.  At one point she turned her head to look at me.  I felt a thousand butterflies dance in my stomach.  She was so beautiful.  Her eyes were like windows to my future.  We both moved in closer to kiss.  I cannot explain the feeling I received.  It was like time stopped and no one else existed.  I didn't want it to end.  I brushed her cheek with my hand.  She smiled and pulled away.  She asked, "How come it took you so long to do that?"  I said, "I have no idea."  She replied, "I've only been waiting forever.  You don't read signs very well."  I laughed, "You have no idea Lindsay.  I am an idiot at this."  She laughed, "Well you're my idiot now."  I nodded. 

   Somehow, the movie was over.  It felt like 10 minutes had gone by.  She said, "So, now what?'  I thought to myself for a second, "Do I tell her?"  I decided to take a chance.  She'll probably think I'm a goof, but I decided to tell her, "I made you a mix CD.  We could listen to that."  I tried in vain to gather the words back into my mouth but could not.  She looked at me and said, "You made me a CD?  You are so sweet.  Where is it?"  I said, "It's in the car.  I'll go get it."  She joked, "You won't get lost will you?"  I assured her I would not and I sprinted out to the car.  On the way out I laughed.  She was shocked that I thought about her enough to make a mix CD.  Little does she know, I would lead lighted sparkler tours through a gasoline plant, if it got me another date.  I grabbed the CD and sprinted back.  She put the CD on and we resumed our positions on the couch.  We kissed and listened to the songs.  She kept saying, "Oh my God.  How did you know I liked this song?  This is perfect."  I smiled.  Do I tell her that I used to watch her when were somewhere and songs would come on the radio.  Watch her reactions so I would know if it was a song she liked; probably not...too soon.  There were a million things I wanted to tell her.  I didn't have the courage to tell her any for fear of ruining the perfect evening.  Then BEEP!  BEEP! BEEP!  BEEP! 

   My eyes popped open.  I was in bed.  My alarm was going off.  A voice in my head screamed, "NO!  NOT AGAIN!"  It was a dream.  Lindsay was still just my friend; my friend that I was desperately in love with.  The mix CD was still playing in the background.  I had gone to sleep listening to it...again.