SOBER IN THE CITY

Meeting the Friends

November 8th at 9:32PM by Sara [283 comments]

Tristan and I settled into a routine quickly after that. We'd go to work, hit a meeting and then head back to my apartment where we'd eat dinner while watching TV and then fool around a little before passing out in bed, most of the time cuddling before retreating to our separate sides. Our weekends were spent exploring the city: going to museums, trying new restaurants and checking out bands we'd never heard of before. Every day together was an adventure and I was beyond thrilled to be spending it with this beautiful man.

For the first time in my life, I was having what would be considered by most as a healthy relationship. In the three months we'd been dating, we'd barely ever fought. Tara kept telling me that Tristan sounded too good to be true, but I knew that I'd finally found the right guy. What did people say? Once you find the right one, everything else falls into place? Okay, so I don't know who said that, but I know I'd heard it somewhere. And so far, it seemed true.

The thing was though, when Tristan and I had first gotten involved, we'd gotten so caught up in each other and our new relationship that we'd sort of started hibernating. I wasn't spending much time outside of meetings with the girls and Hunter, and it had been exactly four months since Tara and I had talked without an IM screen in front of us.

I was starting to think it was time my three worlds collided.

"So, my birthday's coming up next week," I said, one Saturday morning as Tristan and I were lounging around my apartment.

"I know," Tristan said, looking up from his copy of Details. "Have you decided what you want to do to celebrate?"

I got up from where I was lying on the floor and cuddled up next to him on the couch. He closed the magazine and put his arm around me.

"Actually, I think I have," I said, flashing him a smile.

"Please tell me it involves a sports game of some sort, followed by whipped cream and see-through lingerie," Tristan whispered into my ear before kissing the top of my head.

"Um, I think that's your birthday wish, not mine," I said, laughing at him. "I was thinking more people and less nakedness."

"Well, there goes my birthday surprise," Tristan said, feigning disappointment.

"I was hoping we could have dinner at that new restaurant Splurge and I could invite all my friends," I said, running my fingers across his hand softly. "I want all my friends to meet each other. And more importantly, I think it's time everyone met you."

Tristan lay there silently for a second before picking up his magazine again.

"I think that sounds doable," he said. "I'd love to meet your friends. After hearing so much about them, I feel like I kind of already know them. Do you want me to make reservations?"

I smiled to myself, excited that everyone was finally going to meet each other, and that Tara would have to stop making jokes about me having an imaginary boyfriend.

"Thanks, babe. That would be great," I said, turning around to face him. "Can you make it for six?"

"Anything for you," Tristan said and kissed me on the nose. "Now are you sure we can't talk more about the see-through underwear?"

* * * * *

I tapped my feet on the ground nervously as I waited for the first of my guests to arrive at the restaurant. I glanced at the door for about the tenth time since we'd sat down, and when I didn't see anyone I knew, I looked back down at the table.