All characters 18+. This one might be a bit of a slow burn but planning plenty of spice through the story! Some parts based on truth, names changed where needed.
Looking out the window of my new apartment, in a new city, I could see the sun dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of fiery orange and soft lavender. It cast long shadows across the buildings, signaling the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Just as the sun surrendered to the night, so too did old wounds heal, making way for the birth of something beautiful and unexplored. This was the start of my new journey, and the opportunity of a fresh start.
I’ll start by sharing a little bit more about myself. My name is Anthony, 29 years old on the cusp up entering my 30s. As the years have gone on, my confidence in my own skin has continued to grow, shedding off the past. I’m 5’9, 170lbs olive skin of Spanish and Italian heritage. I was born and raised in the comforts of suburbia with my middle class family but for the first time in my life I moved away from home to grow my professional career and shed the memories of my most recent breakup. The ending of my last relationship was amicable but having been together for years, the challenges of having true separation from my past felt impossible and a new beginning was the right next step. Through college, I considered myself Bi having dated primarily women but enjoying the thrill of experimenting with former friends and teammates. Moving away from home was the opportunity I wanted for myself to find the person I wanted to be, without the ghosts of the past lingering closely behind.
I wasn’t entirely alone in this new city. Along with me came my nearly 1 year old puppy Bella. Her gentle whining for dinner snapped me back to reality after staring off into the sunset. Having her with me made this new adventure not feel so daunting, she kept me grounded in reality with the familiar comforts of home as I found my footing.
The first month felt like a whirlwind. I dove right into my new career and began making a name for myself professionally. Personally, I was beginning to explore the city and all it had to offer, building a new routine. With each day I knew I made the right decision and was excited for what was ahead.
One of those routines for me was Bella’s frequent trips to the dog park. Moving out of suburbia into the hustle of a big city, I was fortunate to find a place with a private terrace to enjoy the outdoors with a dog park so Bella could do her thing on the grass in what felt like a concrete jungle everywhere else. Her trips to the dog park allowed her to meet some new friends and I began to meet my neighbors and build new friendships.
It was finally Friday, and I just completed my first big campaign with a huge account at work and I was ready to celebrate with my team. Wrapping up the workday, we headed out to happy hour and dinner to cheers to the success before we dive into our next project on Monday. My assistant Jordyn made the reservation at the best restaurant in the city after I told her it was one I hadn’t had the chance to try yet. A few cocktails and appetizers deep and I could understand why this place was so popular. The food was excellent and the service team was on point. I was impressed and knew this would continue to be a favorite spot for me.
Our table was lively, the chatter felt great and for the first time here I felt like I was establishing roots. I sat back in my chair and took a sip of my wine appreciating the moment. I gazed around the restaurant to take in my surroundings. In that fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still and the noise of my surroundings faded into the background, leaving only the captivating man before me. His presence caused me to pause, taking my breath away.
Standing near the host stand, he had an aura of kindness, confidence, and control. He appeared to be young, roughly my age, in a wine red suit perfectly tailored to his body. Everything about this man was captivating. I could tell he was someone important within the restaurant simply by the way he owned the room. It felt like time slowed as I appreciated his chiseled jawline, the way his hair was perfectly styled, the tortoise shell glasses and a smile that lit up the room. While he didn’t see me, I felt drawn to his presence and was only snapped back to reality after hearing my teammate say my name three times, pulling me back to reality and the conversation happening amongst my table.
I rejoined the conversation happening around me but it was a moment etched in my memory, a snapshot of beauty and wonder that leaves an indelible mark on my mind. As we wrapped up our dinner, I scanned the room and unfortunately did not see him again. But after such a wonderful time here I knew I’d be back for a future visit and hoped I’d see him then.
As we wrapped up our dinner, the team and I said our goodbyes and good nights and departed our separate ways. The electricity I felt in the restaurant continued to flow through me, so I chose to walk home and skipped the Uber ride. We were on the cusp of the summer season and the refreshing crisp air felt too good to not take advantage of. I was riding the high of the day and strolled through the city as the sun set around me.
I finally arrived home, excited to see Bella and decompress after a long day. I fed her dinner while I switched out of my suit into something more comfortable before we headed to the dog park. I slipped on my favorite grey sweatpants and a light sweater to combat the crispness of the air. Bella was anxiously waiting for me to finally be ready to let her run around and get out some of that energy so we heading out the door on our way. Bella’s tail wagged in anticipation as we waited for the elevator. While living in a tall building on a high floor has its perks, the elevator has become something for B to get used to. It finally arrived and we entered the empty elevator to begin our decent.
Only a few floors down, the elevator slowed to allow someone in. Bella was anxious, so I squatted down to rub her back and keep her calm as our new guest entered, staring down at the ground. I began to stand and raise my head, looking over at who entered into the elevator. Raising my eyes I see designer brown shoes, a perfectly tailored wine red suit, tortoise shell glasses. As our eyes meet for the first time, a subtle shift occurred in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the magnetic pull between us. With a nervous smile and a flutter of anticipation, we exchanged a simple "hello”. There was a momentary pause, as if time itself holds its breath, allowing us to linger in the space between words. In that brief instant, the air crackled with electricity, charged with the possibility of what could be. Our gazes linger a fraction longer than necessary, each taking in the nuances of the other's expression, searching for clues in the depths of each other’s eyes. And though our conversation may be fleeting, there's an undeniable connection that lingers in the air, a tantalizing hint of what the future may hold.
As the elevator continued and slowed to a haunt, It took me a moment to even register that he also had his dog with him. My usually nervous puppy was completely at ease with her new friend and I knew this could be the start of something special.
My first story! Let me know your thoughts and if you’d like to hear more!