Chapter 17

The next morning I woke up with the pleasant memories of the night before buzzing in my head. I got dressed and started for the kitchen, though I lingered for a moment outside my room and gazed in front of Ruth’s door where we’d kissed. Grinning ear to ear I finished the trip to the kitchen and started getting out some fruit and a blender to make breakfast smoothies. A few minutes later Ruth came out of her own room, still wearing her nightgown.

“Good morning!” I greeted excitedly.

“Morning David.” She smiled, but she still looked a little tired. I walked over to her and reached out to pull her into a kiss, but her smile disappeared and she took a step back. Her posture stiffened and her tail flicked nervously. My heart sank and my good mood was instantly shattered.

“Did I do something wrong?” I asked quietly.

Her gaze fell to the floor.

“No, David. You did nothing wrong.”

“Then what?”

“We ... need to talk about last night,” she said, looking back up at me.

“O-ok.”

“I feel a great deal of affection for you, and last night was truly one of the most wonderful nights of my life.” I braced myself for what sounded like bad news. “But I’m not ready to commit to a relationship, and I need to take this slowly.” It wasn’t as bad as I’d feared and I sighed in relief.

“Ok, I can do that.” Her posture seemed to relax a little. I reached out my hand again, but this time it was just to take hers. I gave her plenty of time to pull away if she needed to, but I grinned a little when she didn’t. “So casual kisses are a little much right now then?” She nodded. “How about hugs?”

“Hugs are good.” Ruth smiled and stepped forward, wrapping her big furry arms tightly around me. For the next several seconds it felt like I was melting into her warm embrace. When we broke away I knew I had a sappy smile on my face, but I couldn’t help it. Ruth did too though.

“So how about dates?” I asked. “Are we going to go on more of those?”

“I would like that very much,” she replied. Leering cheekily I decided to push my luck.

“Can I still kiss you goodnight at the end of a date?” She glanced away bashfully.

“How about you ask me next time we go out?” She seemed to be more relaxed, and now was just playing coy. The happy swishing of her tail gave her away.

“Alright, I will!” I teased with a wink. “How about next Friday?” She sighed.

“I work...” I wrinkled my nose in mild disappointment. “Saturday is open though,” she added, winking back playfully.

“Saturday it is!” I exclaimed. Ruth’s expression softened.

“I look forward to it.” She glanced toward her room. “I’m going to get changed. I’m meeting Sara in a little bit.”

“Ok,” I replied. “I’m making breakfast smoothies. Want one?” Her face lit up.

“Yes, please!” Ruth went to her room, and I’d finished her smoothie about the same time she came back out.

“That looks tasty,” she said as I was pouring it into a to-go cup for her.