With flying colors

Looks like the religion issue is a non-issue, for the time being. He hasn't mentioned it again. And things continue to move right along.

I called him this morning, when I thought it was a safe hour to call. "Hello there," he said, all muffley. I had managed to wake him up, and said so. He tried to talk but sleep still had him wrapped up snug. I told him to go back to sleep, and he managed, "...call you in a little while...." I hung up the phone and smiled.

His sleep-muffled voice sounded quite...attractive...to me. I decided to say so and, a few minutes later, sent a text message saying so. Ah, flirting via technology. How me.

It's also a safe medium. He can ignore it if he's not so inclined, and I will learn something from it without have done something beyond embarrassing.

I had to run some errands, which helped me kill time. Just as I was heading home again and wondering if I would appear too desperate if I called again, my phone rang and it was him.

We had a nice day. Lunch, a movie at the theater, then another movie at his place. It still struck me as odd, though, that he didn't try to even hold my hand while we're at the theater. We're alone, at his house, and during just one pause in the movie, he kissed me. Now, I mean, the kind of kisses that curl your toes, but not another move other than that.

It's not that I'm saying he must make such moves, but it's puzzling to me. I've never, ever known a man who went six dates without trying anything. And my self-doubting nature wonders if it's to do with me....if maybe he's not that attracted to me. But the kisses say otherwise....so confusing.

So, we're together seven hours and he says nothing about the text. On the drive home, he finally mentions it.

"About that text you sent this morning," he starts. Ah here it is. He's going to tell me to cut it out. He has that uncomfortable tone to his voice, the one people use when they want to let someone down gently. Ugh.

"Uhm....where were you going with that?" he finishes.

"Just that you sounded adorable, so I said so," I say, lamely.

"Oh, okay, I see," he says. "I just wasn't sure."

"Were you worried about where I was going with that?"

"No, not at all. I just try not to presume anything because....well, my mom raised me to be a gentleman first."

"I've noticed. And that's good. I appreciate that." And I do. He's very sweet that way.

"Well, it's just that I'll let you decide the pace on those things. It's up to you -- I'll follow your lead. Otherwise, it can get....confusing."

I ponder this. "That will be new for me," I finally say. "I'm quite shy about that."

I think about how I've been restraining myself from touching his arm, holding his hand, as I've been waiting for that sign from him. But he's been waiting on me.

"So am I," he says.

And he holds my hand.