SAY AAAHHHH…
I spot Sarah and her fiance Ben, huddled up in a small group. I join in and I try catching up with the conversation, while my eyes roam around, taking in the rest of the birthday party guests… and that’s when I see him: standing a few feet away from us, in conversation with another guy, is one of the most magnificent male specimens I’ve ever laid eyes on! I like my men big, tall, and handsome... and this guy is a giant armoire, an Adonis escaped from my most daring fantasies, a huge Viking! His dark blond hair is tied up in a haphazard knot at the nape, and he's all broad shoulders, barrel-chest, and towering over six feet... His skin has delectable golden tan. He’s wearing a plain cotton t-shirt, that shows off gorgeous arms –muscled and corded, and a pair of khaki shorts hang low on his hips, displaying virile legs. My gaze travels up to his face: slightly up-tilted dark eyes, strong nose, a deliciously full mouth, and a shadow of stubble that spreads over his square jaw... I instantly feel drawn to this complete stranger, feel the urge to know how good he smells, to hear the timbre of his voice, feel his bulky muscles flex under my fingers.... The movement of his mouth as he speaks to his buddy fascinates me, and I instinctively bite down on my bottom lip. Then... Mr. Armoire Adonis turns my way, flashing me a dazzling grin! If I found him handsome looking away, with a lazy smile playing on his kissable mouth, the full force of his gaze on me, of his gorgeous grin aimed directly at poor ol' me, feel like a blaze all over my skin! Our eyes stay locked for a few seconds, then I break contact: I realize, a little too late, this insanely hot guy totally busted me ogling him… This is just what I needed: one of Sarah’s playboy friends catching me drooling over him! She told me all about their little group: who’s dating who, who dated who, who doesn’t date… and the guys are pretty much divided in two categories: the ones who are taken (married, engaged, or in some sort of serious relationship), and the serial womanizers. And I’d bet that this hunk with his amazing body, gorgeous face, mind clouding smile, and hypnotizing pull, is of the latter species! Even thinking that, I can’t shake off my ridiculous attraction to him… No: tonight is strictly about meeting my office mate's buddies, and giving a kickstart to my social life in my new town. Not, embarrassing myself around stunning Vikings!
I force my attention back to our small group, but after desperately trying to make sense of what’s being said, struggling to come up with coherent responses, and finally admitting to myself failure in both attempts, I excuse myself to go check the restaurant's bar.
Perched on a stool, I attempt to get my emotions under control. No need to panic, this is good: it means I still have the ability to feel that rare, insanely strong attraction that often leads to no good... at least it's better than feeling dead inside! My thoughts are interrupted by a low rumble sending delicious shivers all over my skin: “Hi”. I’m startled and turn around to face… Mr. Giant Viking! Of course, he had to come and talk to me! What else do you have in stock for me on this lovely evening, Universe? I answer with a hesitant: “H-hi…” 
“I was afraid I lost you in the crowd” he continues, a teasing smile lifting the corners of his full, pink lips. I swirl my stool around to face him: “Lost me, really?” A number of sensations hit me simultaneously: mesmerizing dark blue eyes, a mix of subtle cologne and of a scent that’s all him, the power of male pheromones at work, the heat radiating from his gigantic body...
“Uh-uh, unless that was a tactic to get me alone?” 
“Yeahhh... we’re not exactly alone.” I remark, grandiosely feigning calm and confidence when I'm actually an absolute mess on the inside! 
“True, but we could remedy that…” he says bending ever so closely, and smiling even more deliciously! 
I can’t hold in the short bark of laughter that escapes me. “You’re good!” 
“So I’ve been told”, he grins back. 
“And modest!” I retort, still laughing. 
“The perfect combo,” he concludes. 
God have I missed this: the sparks, the banter, the anticipation, the infinite possibilities of what could be… I have a stupid, huge smile on my face, and my stomach flutters of a myriad of butterflies... OK, time to refocus: I am not looking to be hit on, still working on my huge ass emotional baggage, thank you very much! And this guy is obviously trouble with a ginormous T! 
“I’m Abraham” he introduces himself, offering a huge paw. 
“Ah, the birthday boy! Well, happy birthday, Abraham. I'm Moira” I reply with a wide smile, putting my hand in his warm, engulfing one. I don’t feel any electric jolt or epiphany at his touch, only the soothing heat, comforting strength, and slight callosity of his large palm. And I like all of it… way too much. Our eyes stay hooked, barely there smiles on our faces, and we’re engaged in the longest handshake known to mankind… 
“You're Sarah's friend", he adds, still holding my hand...
"Guilty. Thanks for having me!" I try tugging on my fingers subtly... without success!
"You are most welcome." Abraham lets out slowly. "And you recently moved to town," he keeps on, still playing tug of war with my palm!
"Just how much do you know about me, birthday boy?" I ask, with a corked eyebrow. 
"I know enough..." is his insane response! And now his thumb is gently caressing my knuckles...
I try throwing a good amount of sass in my "Really?" but my voice comes out strangled under the effect of his burning hot look and gentle touch.
Abraham chuckles: "I'm just messing with you: Sarah told me she invited her new colleague, who moved from the East Coast recently That, and your name is all I know. So, do you like Monterey?" 
"I like it a lot: it's beautiful, a calmer pace than the city, my house is much more spacious, and the people are lovely. It's great." I conclude.
"That's good," Abraham responds, not hiding his interest for an iota!
"Yeah, it is. But listen, I'd love to chat some more, however you gotta give me my hand back, man." I deadpan. 
Abraham roars with laughter! And I'm completely seduced: he has the most magnificent laugh I’ve heard in forever. He looks even more handsome right now, and I didn't think that was possible... 
I roll my eyes and mutter something about having to use the restroom. In the ladies room, I splash my face with fresh water, stare myself sternly in the mirror, and take deep breaths, repeating a mantra of “you will not fall for the sexiest man you've ever met”…
On our way back to the party, Abraham’s towering over me, his large hand splayed at the small of my back: at his contact, everything around me melts away in a fog of muffled noises and blurriness... I feel like I'm only held together by the feel of his warm hand. It’s probably just a friendly, gentlemanly gesture to him, but it feels like the most intimate of caresses to me... And the sensation lingers: in fact, long after Abe leaves my side, and long after I leave the party, I carry his warmth through the night. In the silence of my house and the darkness of my bedroom. I carry it through the deafening silence of the late evening, and the chaos of garbage trucks tearing apart the early morning quiet. I carry his light touch for hours, days even... But that’s all I allow myself to accept from Abraham that night, because I sneak out of his birthday party without a goodbye to the man of the hour…
After we regain the party from our little fun time at the bar, he blows his candles, cake is passed around, and a small group gathers on the balcony for celebratory cigars. When I catch sight of Abe, a cigar planted at the corner of his mouth... my mental imagery turns full on Monica-Gate, and I take that as my cue to get the hell out of Dodge! After a quick peck to Sarah, I speed out, cutting all chances of another interaction with Birthday Boy. 
But that night, as I let the events of the evening rerun in my mind, and evoke the memory of my flustered feelings, a sense of peace invades me: I smile in the dark, sharing this little secret with myself, enjoying my girlie giddiness, and embracing the return of positive feelings for men. And I float on an Abrahamic cloud for the rest of the weekend, basking in flashbacks of his gorgeous smile and captivating scent, remembering the feel of his hand, the imposing way he carries his strong body. I indulge in harmless reveries…

Monday morning: 
I'm sitting at my office desk, scrolling through my emails , when one particular message grabs my attention:

From: abethemic@hotmail.com
Subject: about last night…
Moira,
It was a PLEASURE meeting you last night. I liked what I saw. I liked our little exchange. I was looking forward to getting to know you better. I thought we had an understanding: no more getting lost in the crowd! I guess I wasn’t clear enough… Would you let me be more convincing over coffee, lunch, dinner, tea, snack, breakfast… your choice?
Abe,
PS: I hate to be the one telling you, but Sarah’s not a true friend: she refused to give me your phone number, and I had to beg for your email address! She clearly doesn’t want what’s best for you, or she just doesn’t know… either way, my advice is to ditch her. Just sayin’…
Abe
From: mwright@dls.us.gov
Subject: Re: about last night…
Hi Abe,
Thanks for your email: it was a nice surprise, and a great start to my day! Unfortunately I’m going to have to decline your invitation. I’ll probably see you at the next get-together! Hope you enjoyed your birthday party :-)
Have a great week!
Mo’

I rub my chin, smiling to myself, intrigued: I can’t tell if she's playing hard to get... I don’t think I misread our mutual attraction, but she did leave the party when our eyes first met, then left the restaurant altogether before I got a chance to make my move... I shake my head, at the same time puzzled, amused and excited!

Mo’
My tray rests in front of me, neglected: it's lunchtime and I'm still under Abe's email's spell, read at 8am this morning! I’ve been smiling like a total loon, even giggling to myself at times… And at this very moment, I have the email pulled up on my phone, my fingers scrolling up and down the screen, in an almost caressing gesture, rereading Abe’s words for the umpteenth time... 
Sarah materializes at my side, scaring the Bejeezus out of me with a loud: “Girl, you’re the shit!” A few heads turn our way: lunchtime in the staff cafeteria is usually a pretty quiet affair. She pulls out a chair to sit facing me, resting her food on the table with a tad bit too much energy, and resumes: “Mo’, I salute you! You were my girl but now, you’re my sister!! No one, I repeat no one has ever turned down Abe! And I've known the guy since elementary school...” she elaborates in a voice that's still way too loud for the subject and the professional venue! 
I fidget in my seat, and whisper-shout: “Sarah! People are looking at us.” 
“Oh… Sorry!” She looks around somewhat apologetic, then keeps on: “You do not understand how exciting this is Mo’: Abe’s a fucking magnet! People, without distinction of age or gender chase after him! Dogs hump him! The man's a universal catnip...”
I chuckle: “you’re crazy.”
"Uh-huh, Moira, I don't even know how you stayed true to your insane male sabbatical, because let’s face it: the guy’s seriously hot…” 
I can’t help the dreamy sigh that escapes me: “I know, right?!” “You like him”, she smiles huge. 
“I’m attracted to him, Sarah” I say cautiously, “and this feels good, fantasizing about a guy, having the butterflies; but I don’t know him, and I'm not going there.” 
“He’s one of the good ones, babe. You should consider giving him a chance...” 
I raise a skeptical eyebrow: "really? what happened to everyone chases after him?" 
"Doesn't mean he lets himself get caught," she deadpans, and I can't hold in another giggle. Sarah's the funniest! She looks at me with soft eyes: “you should have fun...” 
I shake my head. “I have a job I love, great friends, an amazing family, I live in a beautiful city, and most importantly, I’m at peace with myself. For the first time in forever.” 
“What about companionship?” she asks, wiggling her eyebrows and smiling mischievously: “I’m serious. You need some action, girl. Let the guy woo you, enjoy yourself!” “Sarah, you’re a terrible person. Leave me alone. I am not getting any kind of action with Abraham!” 
She smiles affectionately, but a wicked glint still sparkles in her eye: “we’ll see...” 
“Sarah!” I warn. She winks at me, then attacks her lunch with gusto. 
“How did you even know I refused his invitation? It just happened!” 
She finishes her bite before answering: “I have my sources.” “Sarah!” I almost shout, drawing more disapproving looks. “OK, Abe called.” she admits. 
I don’t even try to mask my excitement: “what did he say?” “More like: what did he ask… he wanted to know if you were the kind to play hard to get or if there was something else, like me ruining his rep.” 
“Oooh..” Shoot, I didn’t think he might interpret my refusal as playing games, or Sarah backbiting him! “What did you tell him?” 
“I said no to both, of course. I also added that all you need is some convincing...” She’s still shamelessly smiling! 
“And?!” I almost yell... again. 
She takes all her time to answer, wiping her mouth delicately like the lady she's not, then threading her fingers under her chin, Sarah looks me square in the eye. “Well, I told Abe that if he really likes you, he’ll just have to figure out a way to win you over.” 
“Sarah!” I gasp at her betrayal.
“Moira, he’s one of my best friends, and a great guy. I haven’t known you all that long, but I think the world of you. I believe you two could really hit it off.” 
I can’t help but be touched by her kind words and intentions. “That’s really sweet of you, Sarah.” I smile then add: “did you really refuse to give him my number?” 
She grins like the cat that got the cream. 
“I think you’re the shit”. We high five and burst into laughter, gaining a loud throat clearing from a colleague sitting at a nearby table. Sarah and I whisper apologetic sorries and take the remains of our food and our extreme animation to the outdoors area!

Later that afternoon, surprise, surprise: I get another email from Abe…

From: abethemic@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Re: about last night…
Mo’, you won’t share a drink or meal with me?! I’m hurt! Give me your phone number, please. We need to talk this out…
 
From: mwright@dls.us.gov
Subject: Re: Re: Re: about last night…
Talk this out? Really?? 718 560 6505

“Hey" his deep voice resonates in my ear. 
"Hi Abraham" Ianswers in an almost whisper, a smile on my face...