me & tomfoolery

Contained pt. 3 | Mikal Bridges Short Story

"What is your biggest fear?" Flo asks while taking another sip of her wine spiked hot chocolate. She was a bit buzzed and started to loosen up. They were asking one another questions as the coffee shop shuffled through a new group of people.

"I think my biggest one is not getting to my fullest potential before I die." Mikal felt like he hadn't done enough in life yet and hoped he had a lengthy and plentiful career. "How about you?"

"Being forgotten." Florence worked in a field that had plenty of talented people in it. One great performance and their career would take off. Too many, too bad and they'll fall into the 'what could've been' archives.

He understood that well, he could relate to feeling forgotten. He felt that sometimes, especially the last couple of months. It was crazy how the moment he stepped out on faith, he ran into someone with a similar mindset.

Flo was leaning into him, knees touching as their barstools sat pretty close to one another. Her hands were on his thighs, she didn't even notice it until her hand grazed over his clothed raised flesh.

"I am so sorry." She covered her face in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to."

"It's fine, you're all good." He laughed, watching her become flustered. He had a hard cider drink that definitely got the blood pumping in all the right places.

"Why didn't you say anything? I didn't realize how close I was."

"I didn't mind." Flo turned to him, feeling a mutual burn of desire. She was attracted to him, he was attracted to her. She just wondered what they were going to do about it.

Swallowing hard, she blew out a breath, "That's good to know."

"Crazy question." Flo awaited whatever he needed to say next. Forward thinking would get them somewhere. It was getting late but neither wanted the night to end early, "You ready to get out of here?"

"Yeah but I'm not ready to go home yet."

••••

Mikal's place was the next location and it wasn't as far as it felt. The car ride wasn't silent, it was filled with neo-soul music and conversation about the craziest things they've ever done. The energy made her shift. She couldn't stay still in her seat.

His penthouse was homier than she expected given all the updated features but again, he was a true homebody.

"Where's Sonny?" Earlier in the evening he mentioned his dog, his best bud and showed her a bunch of photos that would mark anyone's heart leap.

"At the pet hotel. I go pick him up tomorrow."

Her fingertips glided along the suede couch as she looked around at his decor. There was a certain level of comfort, from the walls to the floor.

"Do you want anything to drink?" He offered.

"I'll talk whatever you're having." Her eyes landed on the photo of him and his mother on draft night. His smile was so big, it would attract anyone in the room.

As Flo sat on the couch, she contemplated what they were doing exactly because as she enjoyed talking to him, she was well prepared to placed on all fours. Her bomber jacket hung in the closet at the door and her shoes were over there too. This was as comfortable as she could be without being naked.

Sinking into the couch was a mistake because she had rested her eyes a bit while he went to change. "Ms. Taylor, you fell asleep on me."