Then the group chat buzzed with more messages:
Jane: “love it Alice, wrong chat though 😬”
The ticker told me Alice was typing, and I considered taking a screenshot before she realised her mistake and deleted the photo. Then her messages popped up in quick succession.
Alice: “Ooops 🙈”
Alice: “Rob, close your eyes”
Alice: 😬
Not knowing how to respond, I quickly marked the messages as unread and tried to slip my growing erection up into the waistband of my gym shorts. There was no doubt in my mind that Alice knew how to delete a message, but she chose not to.
My initial excitement turned quickly to panic. Did she see me as such a non-option romantically that me seeing her like this was irrelevant? Her and Jane had become close…maybe she had strict loyalties around her friends’ partners. I felt a pit in my stomach. All the signs I had been reading into endlessly could just have been my imagination working overtime.
I tried to be rational. It was a long shot anything would ever happen anyway, and there was no point in getting worked up about it. I promised myself that when we arrived for my 30th that following evening that I wouldn’t spend my night living in dreamland. I was going to ring in this new period of my life with old friends, drinking into the wee hours of the morning and reminiscing on good times. Well that was the plan anyway…
We hopped in the taxi Friday morning with bags packed, and that holiday buzz you simply can’t replicate. On our way to the airport, we picked up Alice, who slid into the back and squeezed in beside me. Jane and Alice leaned over my lap to exchange a hug and kiss, and I gave Alice the standard greeting of two pecks on the cheek. Wishing to seize the initiative and make up for my lack of response to Alice’s photo, I placed my hand gently on her shoulder.
“Great of you to dress up Alice, I’m not used to seeing you with this much clothes on”.
She gave a mock expression of sheepishness and swatted my tease away with her hand “I’m used to making a fool of myself in front of you. Plus, it’s nothing Jane hasn’t seen. We shower naked together after yoga you know”.
I couldn’t stop the incredulous look from forming on my face, and as soon as she saw it Alice let out a loud giggle, placing her hand on my knee “I had a feeling he’d like that idea Jane. Not true I’m afraid, sorry to disappoint”
“Well, I’m sure he’s had that idea all by himself at some point” Jane said while pointing a smug face in my direction.
“Oh?” Alice cooed “do tell”.
“I’ll fill you in later” Jane confided “don’t want to upset the birthday boy before the party’s even started.
I shook my head with exasperation as the two chuckled quietly to themselves. The energy between us was fizzing now, just like it had at dinner. The weekend had gotten off to a promising start.
After a comfortable flight and a short taxi ride, we arrived at our hotel suite. The room, as advertised, had a king bed slightly right of centre, and the double bed, where Alice would sleep, was tucked into the corner of the room near the large bay window.
“Ok birthday boy” Jane said in a sing-song voice “we are going to nip down to the spa for an hour and get facials before tonight. That should give you enough time to get ready and have a few drinks in with the boys. We’ll text when we’re on our way.
The girls, to my great disappointment, went into the bathroom to change into their robes for the spa. Leaving the room in secretive giggling, they waved goodbye and told me they’d see me soon.
Source: reddit.com/r/eroticliterature/comments/y93u7k/an_unforgettable_birthday_mff_slow_buildup