I was soaked by the time I got back from the bar. So was Mike.

He took off his wet t-shirt and put it on a radiator. I was making us a cup of coffee and I stole a glance at his body.

He was in decent shape but I found my mind wandering back to Frank’s broad, hairy chest, and experienced hands. There was simply no comparison. My heart had raced out of control when I had seen Frank without his shirt on but Mike didn’t have the same sort of effect on me at all.

Mike was clearly wondering whether to take off his pants as well.

“You can take them off as long as Mr. Floppy stays inside his little house.” I guessed that a bit of humor would take any awkwardness or uncertainty out of the situation now that it was clear that nothing was going to happen between us.

I had already told Mike that he was invited over purely as a friend who was in need of a bed for the night. He was only in town for a couple of days to visits his family but didn’t want to turn up drunk to his uncle’s house.

I had told him that there was a spare room he could use at my place. My earlier moment of weakness had passed and I could now see him as a possible good friend rather than a regrettable one night stand.

Sure, he had tried to kiss me but he had gone all apologetic when I had pushed him off. He was a good guy who was maybe just a bit lonely and needed someone to talk to, just like I did.

I was aware that my wet clothes were clinging to my body, so I put an old jumper on over them and instantly felt less vulnerable.

“I think you could be a good friend, Mike. I would like to have a male friend I could talk to now and then.”

“Ok, I got the hint like the seventh time you said ‘friend’ tonight. So, tell me more about how you gave up your job?”

“What? Did I say that?”

“You did? Right back at the stage when you were horribly drunk and didn’t know what you were doing.”

“Oh my God. I didn’t sing a medley of Bon Jovi’s greatest hits in the style of Frank Sinatra, did I?”

“Umm no, do you normally?”

“I did the last time I was totally wasted. I thought I was being creative and edgy but it turned out I was just making a fool of myself. Again.”

“If it you makes you feel any better you just said something about sleeping with the boss.”

“What! No way! I can’t believe I said that. You just made that up.”

“Uh huh. You sure did.” Mike took a big swig of coffee and smiled at me innocently.

“Yeah well, it’s kind of difficult to explain.”

“So let’s start with you screwing the boss. Was it in his office?”

“Hey, that’s personal.” I thought about it for a second and decided that it was time to open up to someone. This stranger who was standing in my living room with no shirt on was my only current option. “In the grounds of the clinic.”

“Outside? You got jiggy with your boss in the great outdoors? You did the no pants dance al fresco?”

“Yeah, that’s what I mean. I think.”

“Oh my God, you are nuts.”

“I know. I mean, I’m not normally nuts enough to whip off my bosses pants at work but I just kind of let myself go this time. It was all kind of crazy and there was a lot of tension in the air.”

“Do you love him?”

“I do…I did…I might. I don’t know anything anymore. Apparently, he has a reputation for being a ladies man.”

“Just like me, huh?” Mike made me laugh by putting on what was presumably his best ’ladies’ man face.

“Do you think a rich, successful, older man could really be attracted to someone like me? After all, I’m as poor and unsuccessful a person as I know.”

“What do your instincts tell you?”

“I don’t know.” I thought about it for a few seconds while Mike looked at me. “My instincts are a bit confused right now.”

“Did it feel right when you…umm…you know?”

“It did, Mike. It felt like I was-”

“Ok, ok. You can spare me the freaking details.”

“I was just going to say that it felt like I was connected with him on a spiritual level. That sounds soppy, right?”

“It sounds amazing. Jeez, I hope I can feel spiritually connected to someone at some point in my life.”

I made another cup of coffee and we settled down to talk some more. This night looked like it could turn out to be exactly what was needed after all.