Part 2
I came home for a few short breaks but wasn't in town for a nice span of time until winter break. One of the first days I was home I decided to take our new puppy for a walk down to Blue Lake, going right past his house. I didn't choose this road because it's where he lived, it simply has the best scenery. About halfway home I saw the same silver Audi that had just been parked in his driveway coming down the hill behind me. As he raced past I looked over to smile and wave. Hunched over the steering wheel, he peeked over and then quickly turned away. It was a face very similar to the one I'd seen at the wedding: a face that wanted to say hello but didn't know how.
My walks with Sparky became a daily habit, enjoying the sun right before leaving for work at the hospital. It turns out that he was also working second shift that winter and would leave his house to work out at the gym at the same time I would be walking down his road. Every day we'd pass each other, and every day he'd sneak glances at me but refuse to make eye contact. One of the last days I was home before heading back I finally cracked his shell. He had forgotten something and had to turn around, pulling into his driveway as I was walking past. Pausing my music, I yelled across the driveway at him that he had my permission to wave when he passed me. Shy as ever, he mumbled something, smiled a sheepish smile, then dashed through the door. I continued towards my house, but as he drove past me a minute later he looked over at me with the biggest smile I'd ever seen.
I continued to see him occasionally when I'd come home throughout the spring semester. The year ended and I moved back home. My relationship with one of the groomsmen from the wedding had ended badly and I'd decided to give up on men for a while. Within a week of returning to Denver I was back to work at LGH and was in a deep sleep that first Friday when my cell phone startled me awake. Seeing the number of my last boyfriend, I hesitated to answer. I'm so glad I did. He was out with Dan and my name had come up. Chris told him that we hadn't worked out and he was pretty sure I wasn't seeing anyone but offered to call and check. The phone ended up being passed to Dan, unfortunately I was too groggy and can't remember the conversation. The next day, now fully conscious, I spoke to my ex and asked him why they'd felt the need to call so late. It was then that my suspicions of Dan's interest were confirmed; they'd apparently spent half the night discussing me.
The next week a few of us made last minute plans to meet for a late dinner. Wanting to break the ice a little more, I stopped by his house to invite him to join us. Claiming to have an early morning he declined my offer. He seemed disappointed, so I decided to give him one last chance. I invited him to the birthday party of the bride from the wedding we'd met at the previous fall. He said he had no plans for the weekend and he'd probably be able to stop by. I'd been excited to see all my old friends that I hadn't seen in months, but my excitement reached a new height when he said yes.
My walks with Sparky became a daily habit, enjoying the sun right before leaving for work at the hospital. It turns out that he was also working second shift that winter and would leave his house to work out at the gym at the same time I would be walking down his road. Every day we'd pass each other, and every day he'd sneak glances at me but refuse to make eye contact. One of the last days I was home before heading back I finally cracked his shell. He had forgotten something and had to turn around, pulling into his driveway as I was walking past. Pausing my music, I yelled across the driveway at him that he had my permission to wave when he passed me. Shy as ever, he mumbled something, smiled a sheepish smile, then dashed through the door. I continued towards my house, but as he drove past me a minute later he looked over at me with the biggest smile I'd ever seen.
I continued to see him occasionally when I'd come home throughout the spring semester. The year ended and I moved back home. My relationship with one of the groomsmen from the wedding had ended badly and I'd decided to give up on men for a while. Within a week of returning to Denver I was back to work at LGH and was in a deep sleep that first Friday when my cell phone startled me awake. Seeing the number of my last boyfriend, I hesitated to answer. I'm so glad I did. He was out with Dan and my name had come up. Chris told him that we hadn't worked out and he was pretty sure I wasn't seeing anyone but offered to call and check. The phone ended up being passed to Dan, unfortunately I was too groggy and can't remember the conversation. The next day, now fully conscious, I spoke to my ex and asked him why they'd felt the need to call so late. It was then that my suspicions of Dan's interest were confirmed; they'd apparently spent half the night discussing me.
The next week a few of us made last minute plans to meet for a late dinner. Wanting to break the ice a little more, I stopped by his house to invite him to join us. Claiming to have an early morning he declined my offer. He seemed disappointed, so I decided to give him one last chance. I invited him to the birthday party of the bride from the wedding we'd met at the previous fall. He said he had no plans for the weekend and he'd probably be able to stop by. I'd been excited to see all my old friends that I hadn't seen in months, but my excitement reached a new height when he said yes.