It's been a long time coming…

Ten years ago I was introduced to my (then) best friend’s ex-husband. I was (as usual) not very observant and the encounter was quickly forgotten.

Then two years later we crossed paths again when I started dating his roommate. The more I was around him the more I realized I thoroughly enjoyed his company, and took advantage whenever the opportunity presented itself. Couple more years passed by, we saw each other in passing mostly. Then I had a birthday come up and when asked what I wanted to do I chose to take my bff and my boyfriend’s bff, out for a night of good food and fun entertainment. What happened the next morning flipped the script. Long story short that was the first time that he and I were intimate and 😯 he blew my mind.

For the next 6+ years he and I have been great friends with benefits. Both of us have pursued other people- somehow always returning to what worked for us. This year it has been a little different, and I am noticing some changes in his interactions with me. I confronted him last October and wanted to know what keeps him from considering a relationship with me…and I was told that I was always someone else’s, that my single days were short and spread out. (This is fact, I don’t tend to be on the market long)

Now know this, our hearts were guarded but our chemistry was allowed to be whatever it would be- which has always been AWESOME, without all that mushy, emotionally controlled relationship stuff. (Beneath the surface I have been in love with him for years, was very careful not to push him for more and let things follow his lead) And by this time we’ve gotten familiar together. We have wonderful, thought provoking conversations and playful banter, he’s literally become one of my closest friends. He was the rock I desperately needed when I lost my father, and I was his shoulder when he needed me to be.

Now, present day, and I have started to notice a few different behaviors that have never happened before…first, he works out of town all week and returns on Fridays…very recently I’mgettinga “hey I’m home” phone call, not text. He leaves Monday morning early and before the weekend is over I usually get at the least an overnight every other weekend, rarely more…this weekend I got two overnights and HE KISSED ME GOODBYE before leaving both times.

Kissing is usually reserved for during sex, and we have some incredibly passionate makeout sessions- but this was different, and caught me off guard. This was sweet, caring, “see you soon ” smooches in the entryway on his way out. Something very foreign for the type of relationship we’ve always had.

As analytical as I am, I’m trying to be pragmatic about things…but…
So I’ve come to you for some advice on what’s going on here. Am I finally getting what I have been secretly hoping for years now? Is my marine starting to see this as more than just a passing thing? From a guy’s point of view…what does the kiss goodbye signify?

FYI..he’s Scorpio and I’m Aquarius AF.