It's always very discouraging when you've been with someone for 7 months only to discover he is a double-timer. That's what happened to me not so long ago and what bothered me most was the money he was spending on his "new sweety" while we stayed in to avoid "extra expenses." I am 34, professional and money isn't really a problem but Frank insisted going out was wasted money. Frank did well for himself too and the thought of that just makes my blood boil. It was the first Friday after the breakup and I was a bit shaken. The thought of a "Blockbuster Night" was depressing me even more. Lilly, a co-worker, had expressed concern over how I was acting since I broke it off with Frank and was always calling to help me get my mind off things. Today, she came to my office and invited me to a party or "small get-together" as she put it. The party was at 8:30and I readily accepted without seeming too eager. I figured I would be done by 6 and have more than enough time to get ready. At 7 pm I realized I was still at the office. There was no time to go home so I freshened my makeup and called for a cab. I arrived fashionably late and was greeted by Debby, the hostess. After telling her I was invited by Lilly and the other initial pleasantries, I was welcomed into her large home. She had a buffet in the center and small portable tables and chairs all around. I think she was going for the sidewalk cafe theme. Lilly immediately made a big fuss over my arrival and proceeded to immediately point out and introduce all the eliglible bachelors. After being paraded around for 10 minutes I told her that all I really wanted was a drink. She came back with a gold colored foamy thing. "What's this?" I asked. "Oh be different for once," she replied."It's a whiskey sour." I drank it rather quickly hoping it would get me in a festive mood but still hoping to find a nice glass of wine. Three drinks and a strong buzz later, I noticed all the men I found attractive were engrossed in deep conversation with other women. I knew that 7 months with Frank and being 34 had dulled my dating skills but decided to blame it on my being tired anyway. Lilly made sure I had a couple more drinks and at this point I couldn't decide if I was tired, horny, drunk or sick. I decided to sit with Lilly for a while to see which feeling would prevail. Three men walked by and they all greeted Lilly, barely acknowleding me. I am attractive but have been called conservative in the past. I opened up another button, hiked up the skirt a touch and checked the hosiery and shoes. Everything was in good order so I decided to look around and smile a bit. What really hit me was when Lilly was hauled off to dance. There I was, eating a Russian salad canape sitting all alone. What made matters worse was that I had little motivation to get up and mingle. I continued snacking when I felt a strong itch on my left arch. I uncrossed my leg planting it firmly on the floor. Gently sliding my foot back and forth in my bootie I felt some relief and went back to sipping my wine, looking around and snacking on the Russian salad canapes. Not knowing how much time went by, I suddenly caught myself trying to scratch my left arch with a pen I had slid between my ankle and shoe. Annoyed, I just unzipped the bootie half way and used my hand. It must be that I'm in these shoes all day I thought. Legs crossed, skirt somewhat hiked up and bootie half unzipped, I realized it was the horny feeling that was prevailing. "You haven't eaten anything all night," a voice said from behind me. I turned around and it was Allan, my first choice out of those I'd met. I tried to make some conversation but was interrupted. "Allow me to recommend the eggplant salad," Allan said in his deep clear voice. "Yuck" I though to myself but smiled anyway. We both walked to the buffet. I was ever so careful so as not to tip anyone off about how much I had been drinking. Plate in hand, we waited to get access to the very popular eggplant salad. Before I knew it a few people moved, I heard a couple ooohh and ahhhs and the eggplant salad was all over my legs and shoes. "Suede boots don't clean very easily" I said as Allan offered me some napkins. I rushed off to the washroom and locked the door. I used a damp washcloth for my legs and wiped the shoes as much as I could without ruining the suede. "Chrissy are you ok?" Lilly asked from outside. "Get in here" I snipped as I unlocked the door. "My feet are wet, my shoes are ruined and I am leaving." "No you're not. Allan is asking everyone where you are," she quickly replied. "My feet are freezing on this marble floor and my shoes are badly stained" I exclaimed. "I'll ask Debby for a dryer and you can wear my shoes. I can borrow a pair from Debby. Allan is a keeper. If you blow him off we'll have words" she said as she left. It wasn't as if I was going anywhere so I waited in the bathroom, now standing on a towel. Lilly rushed back, plugged in the drier and handed me her pumps. I dried off and warmed the pumps with the drier. It felt so good to be dry and to slip my feet into warm shoes. Warm shoes that, as it turns out, were tight! After a few minutes, the pumps seemed to loosen and I managed to find Allan who honestly seemed happy to see me. "I am truly sorry about all that" he said and offered me a seat. "Let me get you a little something to eat" I smiled, sat back and relaxed a bit. The whole food fiasco cost me my buzz and an pair of $85 booties but it may turn out for the best. Allan's smile was enough to turn any girl's knees to jelly and his voice and touch were so gentle and soothing. "You are very resourceful" Allan said as he served my plate and snapped me out of my temporary daydream. "I try but what do you mean?" I asked. "You found new shoes so quickly and looking at you one would never know what just happened" he said in his soft yet commanding voice. Smiling I thanked him and mentioned that I couldn't stay too long because I was tired and the shoes, being Lilly's, were a touch uncomfortable. He nodded, changed the topic and we talked for a while. He told me how he considers Debby and Lilly very close friends and offered to give me a quick tour of the other rooms the groups had spread into. We stood in front of a painting as other couples slow danced and I felt him gently guide me to the center of the room where we danced a couple songs before sitting in a darker, inconspicuous corner. "I remember your mentioning the shoes being tight, otherwise I would've danced with you till we were the last to leave" he softly said close to my ear. With that he reached and gently started to remove my right shoe. I resisted at first and he immediately let go but it felt so good to release the pressure on my toes that all I could do was to let the heel dangle and say "Thanks." Under the cover of the dim lighting of this room, I did the same with my foot on the floor. Debby and Lilly passed by and I was told that Allan would be driving Lilly and myself home. I was quite excited with the idea and I sipped a bit more wine while becoming more and more attracted to Allan. Having now nearly forgotten about what happened earlier , the dim lighting, smooth Merlot and relaxed feet allowed me to fully appreciate the wonderful conversation until Lilly announced it was time for us to go. Allan and I looked at each other partially disappointed because we were interupted but also partially excited because of the possibilties to come. Setting down the glass, I slipped my dangling heel back on, thanked Debby for her wonderful hospitality and walked gingerly towards the door. Allan had walked ahead and was waiting at the car. Lilly got my shoes from the bathroom and sat in the back. Once inside my first instinct was to slip off Lilly's shoes again and relax. Lilly's first instinct was to invite everyone up to my apartment for a night cap. "Thanks for the shoes Lilly" I said as I slipped them off once inside my apartment. " You can just throw mine by the door and make yourselves at home." I poured cogniac for all three of us and sat on the sofa on the same side as Allan. Lilly sat accross from us and stretched her feet on the table. "Allan, Chrissy was a real trooper tonight,"said Lilly. "After working all day, the eggplant salad and having to wear my small shoes all night, she still managed to have a good time." "And she was even gracious enough to dance with me, " added Allan as he swayed my legs towards him and massaged my aching feet. All I could manage was a softly spoken, "Ooooo .. this is heaven. They say diamonds are a girl's best friend but right now it is your massage.............. what......or who is your best friend Allan?" I asked. "Hopefully I can tell you when I see you again but right now you seem very relaxed and ready for bed," Allan replied in that sexy low voice."Lilly and I will see ourselves out. You don't have to move, and I will leave my card on the table for you," he said as he gently kissed me on the check. In a half-dazed state I mumbled a quick goodnight and drifted off . The next morning I awoke on the couch but was on cloud nine with the thoughts and dreams of Allan and the previous night. I saw his card and drew it close. On one side was his address and phone number and I flipped it over just out of habit. To my surprise Allan had written something there. It read: "I had three best friends last night: You, the eggplant salad and Lilly's heels. Call me for more 'heaven' Allan" .