A Poolside Proposal

Short Story I wrote for Round 1 of the 2016 NYC Flash Fiction Challenge. My prompts were: Genre - Romantic Comedy Location - Swimming Pool Object - Roadkill

He’d been looking all over for her. They’d gotten separated when some of his friends had dragged him away to talk about the latest sports craze. It had taken him several minutes to pull himself away from his friends and in that time she’d managed to disappear.

Stopping for a moment, he stood near the pump house, looking around the patio surrounding the pool. Finally he spotted her, sitting on the edge of the pool with her feet dangling in the water, sandals set beside her.

A small smile adorned his lips as he made his way over, skirting the edge of the pool before he plopped himself down next to her. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Chuckling softly, she leaned against his shoulder as he slipped one arm around her waist. “Well hey there, good looking. You greet all the girls this way?”

Leaning in to kiss the top of her head, he then lightly bumped her head with his own. “Only the gorgeous and dirty blondes.” Bending further down, he captured her lips for a brief moment. “Can’t have my favorite lady thinking I’d abandoned her.”

Giving him a wry look, she shook her head. “Well, ya did. But it’s better now. Did you at least get yourself some food?”

“You know, for a girl who hardly eats you sure are interested in my food all the time.”

“That’s because if you make my food it means I don’t have to. Same goes for whatever other method you might be using to feed me. I mean you.”

Grinning and chuckling softly, he nodded. “Fair enough. Anyway, I planned ahead and ordered something from the food cart out front.” Sliding his hand into his pocket, he checked to make sure the box was still there before nodding to himself. Tonight was the night. No matter what else happened, he was going to do it.

Hearing the music starting up, he struggled to his feet before offering his hand. “Come dance with me.”

Gazing up at him from her spot at the water’s edge, she considered him intently for a moment before grinning mischievously. Ignoring the hand, she made to stand on her own only to slip and end up in the pool. Fortunately it was the shallow end and she quickly made it back to her feet.

Another splash distracted her from her own state as he jumped in next to her. “Why didn’t you just say you wanted to dance in the pool? We could have jumped in together.” The sparkle in his eyes shone brightly with amusement as he gathered her into his arms, guiding her own around his neck.

The world faded away from them as they twirled in the water, light laughter mixing with splashes as they swayed to the music. Kisses and caresses teased each dancer as they lost themselves in the moment. Nothing else mattered except the person in their arms.

As the song drew to a close, they held each other tightly, slightly out of breath yet filled with energy. This was the moment he needed. This was the time.

An insistent growl from his stomach broke the moment and they both chuckled as they waded towards the stairs leading out of the pool. She nudged him just as they sat down on the edge of the pool, wringing their clothes out somewhat even as she teased him. “You and that stomach of yours. Go pickup your food before you keel over.”

He shook his head. “They told me they’d bring it in when it was ready. Should be any moment… there it is!” He pointed across the pool to the man bearing the tray of food, wisps of steam rising from the plate.

Her eyes tracked the plate like a hunter, her tongue darting out to lick her lips. When the tray was placed in his lap, she leaned over for a better inspection. “Looks good… you’re going to share, right?”

Chuckling softly, he offered her a fork full of the meat before going back to dig in himself. She smiled contentedly at the gesture before trying to food. Free food was always good. Even better when it was his food. Seeing her smile he began eating with more energy, savoring the food all the more.

“This is good. Where did you say you got it?”

“The food cart outside. Don’t remember what it’s called. Let me ask.” Looking around, he found one of the staff for the party.

“Excuse me, do you know the name of the food cart out front?”

The staff member nodded. “Of course, sir. It’s the Road Kill Café. They get their supplies from the highway a few miles away. People hit deer there all the time.”

He both heard and felt her response to that information. With vomit trailing down his shirt, he turned to find her leaning over, slightly pale as she voiding the rest of her food. Most likely some of her lunch from earlier as well. Maybe some breakfast too.

Tossing his food into a nearby trashcan, he guided her over to the showers by the pool. Pulling her into the water, he slowly started washing them both down. A moment later the shower became redundant as the heavens opened up to help get them both clean.

Standing in a shower in the middle of the rain after having just danced in the swimming pool, he couldn’t help the laughter that escaped him. Soon she was joining him, struggling to stand as they gave into the absurdity of the situation. All around them people scrambled to get back inside and yet there was no need for them to leave. They were already soaked.

This was the moment he was waiting for. Kneeling down, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the box. Taking her hand in his and gazing into her eyes, he asked.

“Will you marry me?”