Your butt is steaming

That's what paddle girl said to me as I got out of my boat on Saturday morning. I usually wear wet-suit pants with a dry-top. But unable to remove the funk from the wet suit, I opted for a better smelling fleece pair of pants. Paddle girl makes me work pretty hard - and I work up a good sweat (hence the funk). My fleece pants were drenched with sweat (sorry if that's TMI) and it was probably 45 degrees out. And it was a funny sentiment.

She then invited me out for breakfast. I agreed to go if she let me use the shower at her house first. Her car is in the shop, so we loaded up the boats onto my truck and headed back to her house. She lives a couple minutes from where we were paddling. I took a shower and changed into fresh smelling clothes. Then she cleaned up. She lives in a 2 bedroom house with 1 small bathroom. She shares it with 3 other girls. She has 4 boats in her garage - including a surf-ski and an olympic racing boat. Cool.

We headed out to a local eatery near campus that caters to college students. While we were waiting for our food, and lingering over coffee, she put her hand on mine. OK, I've been dodging this for a while. Looks like I need to take it head-on.

"Um, I think you're really great, but, I'm not at a point where I can get involved with you." I pulled my hand out from under hers. She looked hurt, and surprised.

"The guys from the paddle club. They talked to you."

"Uh, yeah, they did."

"Bastards. I wish they'd mind their own business. They can't tell me who I can date."

"Before you blame them - first, they didn't tell me not to date you. They told me not to hurt you. There's a pretty big difference. I think they really care about you. At least they mean well."

She shook her head, "Yeah, I guess."

"Even if they didn't talk to me, I couldn't get involved with you, not now."

"Why?"

I might as well come clean. "I'm in love."

"I thought big boobs was gone?"

"No not her."

"Runaway bride?"

I laughed - "Shit, this is complicated. The girl that broke my heart."

"Are you with her?"

"No. But... I don't know. I'm not over her. It wouldn't be fair to you."

She narrowed her eyes. "What? You're going to pass on relationships until you're over her? What about Big Boobs?"

"Big boobs was a bad idea. And I know, it sounds stupid - especially when I'm talking to someone as cute as you. Give me some time. We can paddle together. You'll find some young college stud..."

"You mean immature, poor, boys?"

I laughed. I remember being so unhappy about Lynn being involved with inappropriately older men. Now, that I'm older and wiser, I can see some merit to the arrangement.