It's Fitting

short love story

She cantered into the dimly lit room, reminding herself to slow down, and take a well deserved breath,while she indulged in a light meal.   She was greeted by a chubby girl,with delightful,sparkling eyes ,dimples, and a winning smile. She introduced herself as Autumn, and Danny recalls thinking, that her name fit her so well . Danny asked, for a quiet table for one,and the hostess smiled, and led the way. Danny quickly notices, that the room is mostly empty, except for one man, sitting at a table that they passed.  He was holding a beer in his hand, as he scooped up the food,on his plate,with his other. The pungent smell,of his brew, stimulated Danny's appetite.  She thinks to herself " when did I eat last?" The hostess motioned to a table, set in a quiet corner.  Danny accepted, and sat down. Autumn told her, she would send the waitress right over .Danny glanced around the room, and shifted restlessly, in her chair   She thinks to herself "I must relax, catch my breath, and enjoy a light meal, to get me through this day." The waitress arrives, bringing a menu, and water, she tosses a scant smile, and says, she will return in a moment, for her order. Danny thinks "what a contrast in personalities." Danny decides on a boneless, chicken breast salad, with a side of peppercorn ranch dressing. She would have Iced tea, with lemon, no sugar. When the waitress, who doesn't offer her name,returns Danny catches her name pin, on her crisp white blouse. Danny gives her order to Marla, and without a smile, she mutters," if you need anything, I'll be back soon."  " Danny being the kind person she is, thinks" maybe, she is having a bad day." She sips her water, and her mind drifts to the man, with the beer. "I wonder what's his story?" Danny thinks" everyone has a story."  It's her job to understand people, as well as helping them, with her compassionate ways. She is blessed with a gift of seeing into people, who needs her help with their problems, and emotional issues.  She says to herself in a whisper "look I'm doing it again!" So much for taking a breather, as her job is in her mind and heart, where ever she goes .Hazard of a caring heart, and a desire to bring a better life to others. Her food arrives, but this time a different server is delivering it. Danny, being herself,  can't help but being inquisitive, and asks if Marla is alright. The new girl smiles a sweet smile, and says "Yes, she has left for the day. She had something pressing to deal with today."  She asked if Danny needed anything else? She noted, her name was Belle, and she would return soon, then she nodded, and walked away.  The food looked pleasing to the eye, and Danny started to eat,savoring it with her eyes.  Wonderful meal, and she was feeling quite satisfied, except for her sweet tooth. Oh, she thinks I shouldn't, but I'm going to have dessert! She motioned to Belle across the way. She exclaimed, as if it was major announcement"I have decided to break my diet, and indulge in a piece of cheesecake, with cherries and whipped cream!"  Belle smiled a warm, and joyous, smile as she said "My personal favorite!" "I'll be right back with that. "It arrived, like a gift of distinction, in all it's glory. Danny was already eating it, with her eyes, before it hit the table.  She squealed, in excitement as she put her hand to her mouth, and they both started giggling!  Danny thanked Belle, and set out to show that delectable slice of heaven, who was the boss!  She thought that Belle had returned behind her, as she must of heard her snicker. She looked up, as she took a big bite, and her eyes locked, on a pair of the most beautiful, blue eyes she had ever seen.  She must be blushing,she thought, as she tries to swallow her cake . He was grinning, and just stood, and waited until she could speak. Danny composed herself, and said "Hello." He answered, with that grin still on his lips, and those fascinating eyes locked on hers."Hi, I couldn't help but hearing you giggle, and squeal, when your dessert arrived."  He still with that grin asked " will you join me for dinner tonight?He added "Emotions that wonderful, should not end with lunch!" Danny without thinking twice, agreed and thought he thinks he I was excited about the dessert, if he only knew how her heart was pounding now.  He asked where he could pick her up .She quickly answered with, no, I will meet you.  He nodded" Ok for now, Say Seven, at Surf and Turf ,on Second Street." "You do eat meat, don't you?" She agreed that would be fine. He turned to leave, then turned back, and asked " Your sure now ?" You won't leave me to eat alone?" "I would never do that!" she exclaimed.  He grinned again, and walked away. She thought" what am I doing?"  "Have I taken total leave of my senses? "He baited me into agreeing to dine with him, and I wouldn't back down."  Well, she thought " I'll go and make a early evening of it, no big deal!" She motioned to Belle for her check, and grabbed her bag to pay the bill. Belle smiling extra big, announced that the tab had already been taken care of, as well as a very generous tip for her. Danny looked baffled for a moment, then realized he had bought her lunch! She could get upset that he took for granted, that it was alright to do this.  She smiled at Belle, and told her without thinking,"I"ll make it right tonight at Dinner!" Belle didn't even try to hide her amusement, and Danny, shook her head, and smiled with her. "I must run, I'm already late!" Thank you, Belle, and have a nice day! The rest of Danny's afternoon was very uneventful, as she was stuck in a extremely boring meeting.She barely heard a word, of what the speaker was stating, she had so much more, running through her mind .When the meeting concluded, she gathered her belongings, and hurried to get home.  She had so much to do before seven. Danny took a long hot shower, and rumbled through her closet, for something to wear.  She found the perfect outfit. It's had never been worn, and sadly that's shows how seldom, she had time to date.  She looked in the mirror, it fit fine, maybe a bit much cleavage, she thought, but a scarf solved that.  She dabbed on a bit of a light ,perfume, remembering how nice he smelled, when he was close. She looked at her watch, and realized she needed to leave. No telling how much evening traffic there would be.  She grinned, when she thought, I can't make him worry, that I would stand him up. One more glance in the mirror, her red hair looked fine, and she thought how  much she disliked it, when she was younger. A touch of lipstick, and she thought "Hmm not too bad!"  She pulled into the lot, and parked. She looked towards the establishment, that he chose for dinner.  All of a sudden it hit her, she could not believe it, but she did not even know his name! She was having dinner, with a complete stranger, and she not so much as, knew his name!  She must be crazy! As she stepped out, she looked around the lot, and wondered what he drove, and if he was here yet?,Then she heard her name, and he was there next to her.  He took her hand, and brushed her cheek with his lips. She could wait no  longer, she needed to ask."I have to ask you straight out." He never looked her way.She said "I don't even know your name!"  He replied with a slight chuckle "Daniel, is that familiar to you Danny? " She explained, that her Father named her, as he thought she would be a boy. So Danny it was.  He just said "I like it, fits you." Dinner was wonderful,and Danny was so happy, that Daniels, personality matched hers. They shared so much in common. When the check came, she made a point of insisting on paying, as he had paid for lunch .He would not hear of it. He said "Next lunch will be on you!" They left, and walked to the lot He walked her to her car, and waited as she unlocked the door.  She asked him where he was parked? He motioned to the truck a few rows over."So he drives a truck" she thought. " Well thank you for the nice evening." she politely said.  He just stood there, with those dazzling eyes, burning into her soul.  Finally he smiled, and muttered "One of many more, I hope." Then he leaned  forward, and kissed her hard, without hesitation. She was not expecting it, and it took her breath away. Knowing that her face  was as red, as her hair, she pulled away.  She tried to get into her car, but before she managed to accomplish it, he pulled her in, and repeated the kiss. This time with even more passion.  "There" he said "now I'm in hopes you won't forget me!" She scurried into her car, and had nothing to say.  That was highly unusual, for her. She waved her hand, as he was climbing into his truck.  She thought, the truck fit him.  She drove away. The drive home was peaceful, and she found herself smiling ".I'm acting like a silly, school girl" she thought! That made her giggle!  Home at last. Danny was tired. She needed to prepare for tomorrow's day at work. A glass of wine will help her relax, even though she had wine, with dinner.  Danny slept like a baby, and awoke feeling like  she had a wonderful dream. Then it hit her ,it was not a dream.  Last night was very real.  Danny showered, and dressed. She brushed her hair, and put on mascara, and a dab of lipstick. The doorbell rang. She thought it strange, but made her way to the door. There stood a man, with a arm full of wildflowers. He handed them to Danny, and she thought, I must check the card, this must be a mistake.  Her surprised face, told the delivery guy, he had made no mistake. She tipped him, and closed the door.  How could he have known, where to have them sent? Then it hit her, he must have followed her home. Wow, she never would have dreamed of that! The day was filled with emotions. Working with people in critical situations, it was rewarding, but very exhausting.  Day was done, and Danny was quite ready, for the quiet solitude of her home. She headed out to her car, calling see you tomorrow, to her co- workers. She was taking home, some files to work with, to prepare for the next day. Suddenly, she is greeted with a hand on her arm, and a familiar smile." What are you doing here" she questioned?  He laughed "Nice greeting!" "How did you know where to find me?"  He told her "You told me where you worked last night, and I do have a  directory for addresses, so here I am!  He added "I never got your phone number, and we can't have that." "Did you like your wildflowers?" he asked, with that grin, on his lips ."Wildflowers, seem to fit you!" She said "Thank you, but how did you know where I lived?  "He stated very simply, " I followed you home last night, to make sure you arrived safely, and to see where this red haired lady, who has stolen my heart lives.  She again found herself speechless. He asked" will you join me for a drink?" She started to say "Oh, no, I have so much to do. He looked puzzled, and asked "What can be so important, that you can 't spare a hour, to relax?" Once again the words, would not roll off her tongue, as she thought" I don't know." That took over her words, as she smiled, and said "Alright, but just for a bit!"  He was happy. "Leave your car here for now, I'll bring you back to it, when we are ready to leave." She was to tired to argue, so she placed her files in her car and locked it up. He took her hand, as if he thought she might change her mind, if he didn't.  They stepped over to his truck. He unlocked, and opened the door for her.  "Nice" she thought. Then he went to help her up, into the truck. She pulled away. "I am quite accustomed to trucks" she giggled.  "I grew up in the country, on a farm" He slapped his knee, and shouted "I knew it!" He smiled so big, and his Blue eyes glimmered. "That's why I knew something was special with you, why wildflowers seemed to fit you." "I'm a country boy too, and have no understanding of these city girls!" "I knew you were different."They drove off, and she knew not, where they were going.  She had not been in a truck in awhile, and thought this feels familiar. They pulled into a place, she was not familiar with. He laughed looking at the look, on her face. "Well country girl, I hope you aren't to citified to hit a good ole watering hole?" She jumped down from the truck, and they entered the bar. It brought back a flood of memories of home ,of everything she left behind  He walked up to the bar, pulled out a stool for her. She sat down, and he asked if beer was alright? She remembered when she first saw him, and the smell of his brew.  She nodded yes, and He ordered. The draft was cold, and foamy. It tasted good. On the bar, was a bowl of cashews. It made her realize, she was hungry, and the beer was making her even hungrier. She pulled the dish to her, and offered him some nuts. He laughed, and said, "only if you pop one into my mouth" she hesitated, then thought why not. They both laughed. While she was munching, and enjoying her beer, he had motioned for another round. The waitress, brought them to the table. Danny started to complain, that she couldn't drink another, and then she looked up, at the girl serving them. She was so surprised to see The waitress, that served her, at the cafe, where they met.The friendly girl, who giggled with her about the cheesecake.  Daniel said "Danny, I want you to meet Belle, my sister." Then It all made sense. She, and he had planned the meeting together. Danny smiled, and said:It seems I have been set up here, and all I can say is Thanks!" They all laughed, and after they drank their beer and chatted, they headed out to the truck. " Daniel, I think I'll ask you to bring me home please?" Daniel smiled "I am happy we agree, because I intended to." She started to protest, "You think I can"t hold my beer?" but he cut her off, and said  "I'm not ready to let you go yet, and I hope, you'll let me stay the night, and bring you to your car tomorrow?" If it be the beer, or just the fact, that she wasn't ready, to let him leave either. She nodded, and protested no more. It was very fitting.

© Copyright 2014 crimsonette