Grown-up crushes

When I first went out for my morning run, I ran into a man I've known from the neighborhood for about the last year. He walks his dog about the time I jog.

"Are you just starting or finishing?" he asked.

"Starting," I answered. "That's why I'm not dripping. It's hot out here already."

He agreed.

"Guess we'd better get this show on the road," I said.

"You look beautiful as always," he said. "I guess you know I have a crush on you."

I leaned down and petted his dog. "Have a good walk."

What do you say to that? I was just putting my ear buds in so perhaps he thinks I didn't hear him. I did very clearly.

There's a very fine line between sweet and a little creepy when it comes to grown-up crushes. He seems to be a very nice man and just not my type. But the adoring looks and flattering comments have been going on for a year now. It seems especially odd when I see him during my run - perspiration-stained baseball cap, sweaty socks, no makeup and just-rolled-out-of-bed ponytail.

This is the second time in the past week I've heard about a grown-up crush. The first time was when a man who's been my lover for a while asked me what I was talking about with a particular woman. When I asked him why, he said she has a crush on him. I know what that means - he's fucking her. I've heard the same before. That reminds me, I need to make sure he doesn't tell others that I have a crush on him. After three-and-a-half years, I think we're beyond crush stage. And I'm not the crush type.

A grown-up crush doesn't mean you or the other person has to act on it. Those innocent crushes can turn into creepy fast.

Love to the single girls,
Addison