I call a cab from the lobby of the prestigious downtown Seattle condo building and wait for my ride back to the parking garage of our office building so I can get my own car.
When I finally get home to the house I share on Alki Beach with my best friend, Natalie, I see a strange Lexus convertible in the driveway and lights coming from the kitchen at the back of the house.
"Natalie?"
"In the kitchen!"
"Do you have company?" I am so not in the mood to meet Nat's new friend.
"Yeah," she calls back.
"I'll see you tomorrow, I'm going to bed." I climb the stairs to my bedroom, closing the door behind me and take a long, hot shower. My skin is still sensitive from my romp in Nate's bed, and his scent clings to me, all clean and musky and sexy, and I can't help but regret leaving just a little. Perhaps there could have been more fun during the night before the harsh light of day settled in.
And along with it, The Talk.
No, thank you.
I really don't need to have Nate spell out all the reasons why this was a one night indiscretion. I certainly don't think I can handle the awkwardness of the morning after. It's better to just pretend like it never happened, and get back to business as usual.
I pull on pink panties and a white cami and pull my phone out of my purse on my way to bed. There are no messages or texts.
He's probably as relieved I left as I am.
I lay awake all night, trying to figure out what I'm going to say when I call in sick at work tomorrow.