I have a crush on a guy at work. I've broken my # one rule about mixing business and pleasure. It's nothing serious -- a dalliance, a distraction... something to help the day go faster.

He's a little older than me, which totally surprises me because I don't really feel attraction to older men. OK, if you can call 43 "older". LOL! Sometimes I forget I'm turning 39 this fall.

I don't really even know how it started. I just know that one day he mentioned the tv show LOST because he saw something on my desk with the DHARMA logo on it and we started chatting about the show, and while we were chatting, I noticed that he had this really nice smile and eyes... and he's smart, which is nice.

Whenever I like someone, I get tongue-tied and nervous and never quite know how to act around them so I've been kind of staying away from him for fear I'll look like an idiot and say something dumb.

Yesterday, I was sitting in my cubicle and he came up behind me and whispered in my ear that the guy who sits three seats behind me was asleep. I jumped because he took me by surprise and then he kept apologizing for scaring me, then we both laughed a little and he wandered off.

Today, he came up to me and said that he heard a rumor that I was leaving the team. So, I told him about my plans to move to the beach and of course, I got really excited and animated and showed him pictures and talked about a mile a minute. He just kept smiling and I felt like a dork. He told me that his sons would love my house and then made a comment about how if he lived there, he'd probably be out on the beach fishing every day. Of course, I suddenly had these images of him at my beach house, with a fishing pole. (shaking head) He told me he was jealous and that I'd better not give him my address when I leave or else he'd be tempted to just quit and run away, too.

Now-- no-- he's not interested in me. He's just a nice guy. He talks to everyone and tries to stop by everyone's desk at least once to say hi and stuff. Still, I look forward to his daily rounds and have found myself making unnecessary trips down his aisle to go make copies, check the fax, etc.

Today, my boss came to me and said that she had a special project for me and said, "You get along pretty well with (insert crush's name), right?" I said, "I don't really know him that well, but he's nice to me." She said, "Well, before you leave the team, I need you to work with him on a special project. I've gotten approval from (insert her boss's name) for you guys to come in on Saturdays and Sundays if you want to work on it when no one is around to distract you."

I felt like the Fates were messing with me. Sure.. sure... I've been in this romantic dry spell for a few years now and just when I'm thisclose to leaving, they introduce me to a nice guy who is funny, smart, nice-looking, and likes LOST.

Of course, he may be married. I don't see a ring but that doesn't mean he isn't. The kids didn't come out of thin air and I can't imagine that he's not involved with someone.

But, it's fun to daydream. :)

Follow up to the gym story - "Nicole" was helpful and resolved my issue in one day. Whew!