My heart leapt from my chest hearing that. I raised my eyebrows and was at a loss for words.
“I mean, I saw you all the time, but just never really noticed until now.” She continued.
“I’m not that good looking, come on.” I scoffed.
Sharon shook her head with a low growl of disagreement. “Oh no, mister. You have no idea how handsome you are. You’re a heart breaker.”
I chuckled as I took a sip of my coke, trying to be coy and innocent. I had to laugh to myself because just eight hours earlier, I was jerking off to the thought of this woman thrashing atop me like a primitive beast in the throes of exquisite, impassioned lovemaking.
“Well I uhmm…” I started, trying to think of a comeback. “I think that uhmm…”
“Cat got your tongue?” Sharon demurely replied.
“Yea.” I admitted. “I don’t hear many women say that to me.”
“Its because you date women who are way too young, darling.” She replied. “You were born old, and I’ve known you long enough to know wisdom and maturity when I see it. You have it all, and most women would die to have someone like you.”
I couldn’t believe what Sharon was saying. I mean, she was always very brash and confident in her words, but to hear her verbalize this was beyond my wildest expectations. I felt slightly dizzy, it hit me that hard.
“Well, believe me,” I started. “Some guys would love to have a shot with a woman like you.”
“Huh.” Sharon huffed. “An old divorcee like me? Yeah, right.”
“Uhhh, I don’t agree.” I replied, gathering all of my courage. “No, you… you are what most guys would love to have.”
“Ooh…” she started to object.
“No wait, let me finish.” I said, standing my ground. I wanted her to hear this, and I meant every word.
“You have no idea how amazingly beautiful you are. I mean, I look at you and wonder why the Hell I ever asked any of my girlfriends out. You’re just like… everything a guy would want.” I said with the conviction of a thousand men.
“Oh please.” She groaned under her breath.
“No,” I said. “You’re beautiful, Sharon. You’re a sexy woman and to be honest, there’s a lot of you I look for when I ask a girl out. I mean, since we’re being honest.”
She smiled, not knowing what to say. I could tell this had now crossed the line into awkwardness… Biting her lower lip, Sharon gazed off. I could tell I got to her, and the thought of us together was dancing around in her mind.
“Let’s uhmm,” she started. “Let’s just get passed the funeral, okay?”
Oh shit… did I blow it? I nodded my head and went back to my salad as I sensed I crossed a line with her.
The rest of our lunch was rushed as I could tell she was bothered by what I said. I did my best to act like nothing happened, but I could tell I had unnerved her. Shit… now I felt terrible. And as we finished up, Sharon quickly made her way to her car and did a forced ‘goodbye’ as I watched her leave the parking lot. God only knew when the next time we would talk, let alone see her.
Two days later…
The funeral was unbearably sad and heartbreaking. I was finally able to get all those sinful thoughts out of my head about Sharon and focus on what I should have been doing all the time… grieving. I was able to see Sharon throughout the service, and thankfully, she seemed grateful to see me as well. We hugged throughout the service, and before we got to the graveside for our final good-byes. It was then I ditched my girlfriend, and decided to be the man Sharon needed at this moment… a strong source of comfort, love, and strength. My girlfriend understood, and gladly allowed me to step in and be at Sharon’s side at the graveside.