((((all))))) How lovely to see you all- thankyou for looking in on me. I've missed you!
Beth- WOW! That was an interesting conversation with H. Interesting that he's not yet ready for divorce, but do you feel happy going ahead if he doens't want to? I was thinking the same thing about how long you, T, Essie and I have been speaking. And the Handsome man aswell, of course!
What are your dates like? Do you enjoy them? Met anyone interesting? I want ALL the gossip. I find dates interesting, and sometimes fun. I'm not really a big dater, though- I'm rubbish at small talk, so it's always quite hard work me unless I feel a real connection with someone.
YAY on selling your house- that's fantastic news and I'm so pleased you did it, even in this market. You must be SO excited in your new place. Tell all!!
H and I went out on Monday evening and had a really nice time. H got pursued a little by a woman who liked the look of him so that was really funny. We had a good laugh and then went for Thai food. As we walked around town H held my hand. He also ordered my meal and drinks at the restaurant. Quite manly of him. On Tuesday we had lunch together at the conference. It was an easy and relaxed interaction. We had fun. I was a bit sad because it was just like when we were together (without the kissing) and he was almost normal in behaviour- telling me what he'd been up to at the weekend etc, etc.
I had to go to work that afternoon, but ended up being pretty down at work. CEO came to see how I was and I told him I just needed some time out. He tried to work out a way for me to get my work done around that, which involved not going to the conference yesterday. (This probably makes no sense at all- sorry!). Meanwhile, H and I exchanged some texts about the conference and what I (wasn't) missing. Anyway, after a bit of thinking on Tuesday night, I decided I would go to the conference after all and would just let CEO know I was doing that when I was there.
Yesterday (Weds) morning, I got to the conference a little late and walked into the main hall looking for H or CEO. Neither of them were there. Eventually H arrived, but CEO didn't, which was a real pain as he was giving a talk. In the end, I had to give the talk. Ordinarily I like that, but I hadn't even seen his slides, so it wasn't easy. H sat in and watched- he was very encouraging and sweet. Half-way through, CEO walked into the hall, looked at me on the podium, smiled and after a few more seconds of us looking at each other and smiling, he walked out again.
After the talk I went and found him (CEO) in the atrium. As we were talking about it (I was telling him off and he was plying me with cups of tea to try and pacify me, then we were talking about my Mum and the choir concert), H sent me a text telling me that the talk was excellent and he thought it had gone brilliantly. CEO saw the text and asked why H was texting me.
CEO: I thought you weren't together Me: I'm not really sure what H is thinking, CEO: He's given up a prize and shouldn't think he can just have you back at the drop of a hat.
Sweet. OK, so then H came out of the hall where the talk had been. He caught my eye and started walking over. At that point, CEO said I should go and mingle to get feedback on the talk. As I was doing that (this kind of all happened simultaneously), CEO went over the H, shook his hand and they started having a conversation. I could see it happening and H started looking flustered. A few minutes later I went back and CEO was looking like thunder and H was bright red and flustered. H later told me that they'd just been talking about the presentations. Who knows. still, it was certainly interesting seeing CEO, looking super-hot in his suit, talking to H, also looking super-hot in his suit. Like my two ideally hot men had been concentrated in one place for a few minutes.
Julia and I then had choir. Julia was excellent, I should say, especially in her solo ( Julia!). We had a mulled wine reception afterwards and Julia held court with the choir guys while I discussed CEO's house with some of the ladies. Earlier that morning CEO had told me to pop in to his house in the afternoon as I was going to be nearby (the concert was in the church at the top of CEOs road- it's beautiful and was built in 1729, for those who are interested- a London landmark).
So, after the reception I went to CEOs house. CEO wasn't there but I've spoken to the builder a couple of times. CEO sent me a few e-mails giving me instructions for how to get in and eventually I met the builder outside the church. It was STUNNING. Really beautiful, and I can't explain, but the way he lives in it is so lovely. Clean, and warm, and very bachelor-ish. The builder showed me everything- inside his cupboards, his bathroom cabinets, the bedroom. I felt a bit like Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, when she sees Mr Darcy's house for the first time and realises there's more to the man that the outward persona and falls a little in love with him.
After I left, CEO called me to ask me whether I liked the worktops, the paint in the hallway (I'd been worried it was too dark), whether I could reach the kitchen cupboards and the oven and what I'd thought of the bath (we had a big discussion about it, for those who remember back in May). Sunshine- if you've read this far, the shower is big enough for two, and apparently very powerful (I didn't try it).
Forward to the evening. H and I went for drinks and dinner. We had a nice time, although it was tough to remember that I love him while I was thinking about CEOs place. We had a really good time, anyway. Lots of flirting at the beginning. We held hands as we walked around, easy conversation. At the end of the evening I asked if H was taking the aubergine home for Xmas (to give him an opening to tell me something about her). He said no. I said that we were friends and should be able to talk about that if he wanted he. He just said she wasn't going with him. He's still with her, anyway, but I presume things are cooling a little. Later on again, I told him I wasn't angry with him for leaving, that I respected his decision and knew it must have been hard. That I thought he was brave to have done it because I don't think I would have been strong enough to.
As we were saying goodbye, H gave me a really long hug (he hasn't done that in a year). I hugged back and he said he'd call me next week. I said he didn't have to see me if he didn't want to, and he said he liked seeing me. He also said to me that he was going on the Bakerloo line home (I get the Northern). I said 'oh, are you inviting me to yours?' and he replied with 'maybe not tonight'. I said that sounded interesting and smiled. It was odd anyway- I know which line he gets home. Oh well.....
Today H and I exchanged a few e-mails. We also spoke briefly tonight- I had to ask for a bit of help with something. It was a bit strained but he initiated a bit of conversation, which was good. When I saw CEO this morning he said the first thing his builder had said to him last night was "Lucky B*stard" for having me. CEO said he'd said that I just work for him. We then talked a little about it and CEO said "Don't flirt with him or he'll fall in love with you and then he'll never do any work". So sweet.
Ummmm, and that's it. Thanks for reading all that if anyone made it through the whole lot. I don't think I have too much to say about it in terms of strategy. I'll just walk the line and see how things go on both fronts.
I WISH that CEO would hurry up and kiss you already. Clearly he fancies you!!
How interesting about the coversation between H and CEO. (Way to go CEO! - I love that he is protecting you) And I love that the builder thought you were hot too! Yippee!!
Tell me more about H's reaction to the conversation where you told him that you thought he was brave to leave you etc.
Wow lisa.. I'm gobsmacked! He's NOT taking her home for christmas, after over a year together? I agree with you, things must have cooled between them.. YAY!
Originally Posted By: One Day
H and I went out on Monday evening and had a really nice time...As we walked around town H held my hand. He also ordered my meal and drinks at the restaurant....On Tuesday we had lunch together at the conference. It was an easy and relaxed interaction. We had fun.
...so you saw each other several times!?? And still had stuff to talk about, thats great!
Originally Posted By: One Day
H sent me a text telling me that the talk was excellent and he thought it had gone brilliantly.
Wow.. again.. so he clearly thinks alot of you and respects you ??
Originally Posted By: One Day
CEO went over the H, shook his hand and they started having a conversation. I could see it happening and H started looking flustered. A few minutes later I went back and CEO was looking like thunder and H was bright red and flustered. H later told me that they'd just been talking about the presentations.
Thats so wierd !!?? What the hell could that have been all about !? Really odd!
I feel like this is the start of a new phase for you and H, he seems more open with you? And theres more!...
Originally Posted By: One Day
Forward to the evening. H and I went for drinks and dinner...Lots of flirting at the beginning. We held hands as we walked around
Again.. wow.. I am amazed! After all this time and that big period of NC, you are right back where you were and its pretty wierd that he walks around holding hands with you, isnt it !?? The aub would go nuts!?
Originally Posted By: One Day
At the end of the evening I asked if H was taking the aubergine home for Xmas (to give him an opening to tell me something about her). He said no. I said that we were friends and should be able to talk about that if he wanted he. He just said she wasn't going with him.
So.. thats different for you Lisa, you actually mentioned her? By name? Thats really brave of you and doesnt sound like he reacted badly to that and great news he's not taking her home !!!
Originally Posted By: One Day
H gave me a really long hug (he hasn't done that in a year). I hugged back and he said he'd call me next week. I said he didn't have to see me if he didn't want to, and he said he liked seeing me...I said 'oh, are you inviting me to yours?' and he replied with 'maybe not tonight'.
Again, wow.. but do you think he is toying with you?? Giving you enough carrots to keep you dangling? Or does it more feel like, as you said, things may be cooling with her? I'm sure it was that holiday you know!
So happy for you.. seems like things are on the up again. Not sure about CEO.. red herring !?? Al xxx
Me:40! H:37 Together: 12yrs IDLY & left 11/07 ADs 03/08 OW 8/08 Reconciled 05/09 now married! my thread
WOWWWWWW!!!!!! Your life is so **exciting**!! I am so proud of you for giving that presentation on the fly. You must have totally saved CEO's sweet a$$!!!
I say ditto to almost everything Ali said!
OMG... the part where CEO walked over to H... it sounds like CEO was being sort of... territorial? How exciting!!!
I am really proud of you for bringing up the aub and telling H that he should feel comfortable talking to you about it. and also how you said, "You don't have to see me." I also appreciate your honesty, how you told us that it was hard to remember that you loved H thinking of CEO's house.
I dunno, I think my vote is with CEO right now... maybe his enthusiasm for home design detail is just... turning my head! He was worried if you could reach the cupboards????!!!!!/?????
What was H's tone when he said, "maybe not tonight?"
I am really proud of you for teasing him and flirting with him like that!
You are doing great, Lisa. I like your strategy. So proud!!
Wow, this was a very full thing going on here! Yes, CEO was totally intercepting H., trying to keep him away from you. Would be interesting to know more of what he thinks of H. but there seems to be some power play thing going on there. I would bet the conversation was apparently about "the talk" but was really a sizing of each other up (sigh, it is so primitive).
In any case, you are continuing to turn heads and do great in your professional work, OD--that's really great!
I agree with Ali that maybe this is a new phase with h. Interesting bit about "maybe not tonight"...and it is a bit of madness really, with the flirting and him holding hands with you. As you say, it's like almost all the ingredients are there for a R., but he stops short.
I think Aub is starting to lose whatever allure her purple hue used to cast. On the other hand, it seems to me that you deserve more than two men who indirectly want to tussle over you--you deserve one man who can actually step up and be vulnerable and make some kind of statement about where he is at with you!
I think he was letting H have it! I think he told him the same thing he told you! I think he told him he was an idiot. Someone needs to! I think that is what had H flustered. I think he also told him he couldn't expect to get you back at the drop of a hat.
I liked your description of feeling like Lizzie in Mr. Darcy's house! So, is H Wickham? And who is Bingley? (W watched P&P (both the BBC version, and the new one) while falling asleep a zillion times! Still does, I think, but I don't get the pleasure now!)
And I'd say CEO owes you a lot more than tea for you stepping in to give his talk at the conference! Without any warning at all! You've earned your Christmas bonus, that's for sure!
Julia!). We had a mulled wine reception afterwards and Julia held court with the choir guys while I discussed CEO's house with some of the ladies. Earlier that morning CEO had told me to pop in to his house in the afternoon as I was going to be nearby (the concert was in the 
And who is Bingley? (W watched P&P (both the BBC version, and the new one) while falling asleep a zillion times! Still does, I think, but I don't get the pleasure now!)