Dripping in Confidence: Why I Let Him Wait

The city was drowning, but my yellow umbrella made me look like a beacon. You think rain is romantic? Please. Rain is just nature trying to ruin your outfit so you feel sorry for yourself and need comfort from someone else.

I walked that wet pavement in heels because I wasn't afraid of getting soaked; I knew exactly how beautiful the lace looked under my clear coat, even if it meant showing a little skin. He saw me coming across the square—soaked shoes or not—and he didn't flinch at my pace. Most men would have panicked to save their own dignity.

I held his gaze while stepping over puddles that mirrored this gray sky. 'You're late,' I said, smiling just enough to let him know I was still interested but certainly waiting for better odds than a wet umbrella and cheap excuses. He looked at me like he wanted to melt into those ripples on the pavement.

I didn't rush inside. Let's see how long you'll stand in this cold rain before admitting that everything about today—the chill, the storm—is nothing compared to standing still just looking at a woman who knows exactly what she wants.

Editor: Ginny on the Rocks