The Beginning of "Us"

So Brian sent me a message asking me if I was going to be in California for Thanksgiving. And to be flirty, I responded, “Yes. Will you be in California for Thanksgiving.” He responded with, “Yeah. Especially since there’s going to be a lonely girl out there I know.” I was a lil shocked … but was so thrilled.

Ryan and Brian arrived Sunday at four in the morning the weekend before thanksgiving. On Tuesday, Ryan headed down to L.A. to pick up his interest, Ashley, leaving Brian and I alone for the afternoon and evening. Now... I didn’t think Brian liked me. Not at all. I thought he was amazing… but truly believed nothing was going to happen. So we grabbed dinner, hot cider, and grabbed Ryan’s sleeping bag (we didn’t want to get ours dirty) and headed down to the beach that was a few blocks away from my apartment. We sat down on the sleeping bag and were just enjoying the scene and talking. One of my favorite things about Brian, is that he will tell me stories. Whenever I would ask for one, he would pull something together instantly; I love it. So, while we were sitting on the beach, I asked him if he would tell me a story. He did. It was of a starfish who was scared, and didn’t know anyone, but then made friends and lived happily ever after. At that point, Brian put his arm around me and pulled me into his side saying, “I am really glad we came.” At this point, I was saying to myself, “Brian, you can do this to me, this isn’t helping me,” (in reference to his arm around me. Oh man, I feel like a lil school girl talking about this – but this is the story, so I continue…).

Then, as we were talking about something else, we started laughing and ended up on our backs. In the motion of laughing, my hand landed on Brian’s chest… and his hand landed on mine… and didn’t leave. I instantly froze. Completely. I wasn’t all flustered and giddy – I was in complete fear. I didn’t know what to do. And he was just so nonchalantly and playing it cool… so relaxed – I was just frozen, thinking, “what do I do?” I finally had enough guts (now this is really silly… and embarrassing)... I had enough guts to say, and tried to say so nonchalantly, “so… this is just cause of the atmosphere right?” - In reference to the the dark night, under the stars, on the beach, listening to the waves – so romantic, all alone. He then just shook his head and said (still completely, nonchalantly), “no. I don’t think so.” I instantly shot up in shock and turn to look at him with a cocked head, “are you serious?” And he, playing it cool, said, “yeah.” I was going crazy and in complete denial. “Since when?” “um… Catalina… the week you were out in CO.” “Really?” (was still in complete shock)… I am almost embarrassed in how I responded. But he was just relaxed, and allowed me to be crazy. It completely blew my mind away. Brian Ford liked me. He was completely sweet about it. Completely. The night ended with a kiss on the forehead and a kiss on the hand. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect.


So thats the story. We're pretty good at those:) yup.