Kevin knocked on the door and waited for an answer, when none came he slipped the envelope under Laura’s door and left.
**
Laura unlocked the door and stepped into her apartment, it took her a moment to realize she was stepping on something. She bent down and picked it up, examining the envelope. She turned it over and opened it. It said:
Laura~
I had some time off, and couldn’t think of any better way to spend it than with you. I want to take you out tonight. I will pick you up at 7, if this doesn’t fit in your schedule I’m staying at the Double Tree Hotel, call me.
Kevin
Laura’s heart stopped and she tried to tell herself to breathe. Kevin was here in the city and wanted to take her out. She picked up the phone and dialed the operator, “Yes, can you connect me to the Double Tree Hotel please.” She waited until a desk clerk for the hotel answered, “Kevin Richardson’s room please.”
“Is he expecting your call?” the clerk asked
“Yes.”
“Name please.”
“Laura.”
“One moment ma’am.”
The phone went silent and then she heard the ringing, “Hello?”
She felt lightheaded at the very sound of his voice, “Hi.”
“I see you received my note.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Is tonight okay?”
“Yes, where are you taking me?”
“I thought we might hit the clubs, sound alright.”
She wanted to scream anywhere with you would be wonderful, but simply said, “Sounds perfect.”
“I’ll see you in a little while then.”
“Okay.” She breathed
“Bye.”
“Bye.” Laura almost squeaked. She sat down on the edge of her coach and grasped the phone, it just wasn’t right what his voice did to her heart.
**
“I have something I would like to ask you.” Howie said. He looked across the table at Brandi and smiled. She looked lovely tonight, her hair swept up on her head and the black dress showed off every inch of her figure.
She smiled at him. He was finally getting the point. He had called her and told her to dress up because he was taking her to the nicest restaurant in Atlanta. Now, she would find out why, “Yes?”
Howie looked at her, “Where do you think this is taking us?”
Brandi’s heart dropped, she knew exactly what he was talking about. Was this the beginning of a break up? She looked at him, “I am not sure.”
“I want you to know something.”
“What would that be?” she asked
“I love you.”
Her heart melted, “I love you right back.” She felt almost relieved and tried to concentrate on having a good time because she knew he would not be here for long.
“With that out of the way, I have another question.”
Brandi looked up at him again, “Yes?”
“Would you open this and tell me what you think.” He handed her a square box that was wrapped in silver paper. She had noticed the box and wondered what was in it.
She took the box and opened it slowly. She finally pulled out a little teddy bear that had a ring tied onto his little bow tie and a tag that said: ‘Will you marry me?’ Brandi gasped as tears came to her eyes. She looked at Howie who was obviously waiting for an answer, “Howard, you should never do this to a girl in public. It is embarrassing.” He simply grinned at her and waited for her to continue, “This bear is so cute, thank you.” She sat the bear back in the box and then took a drink of her water.
Howie watched her and then was confused, “Did you read the tag?”
Brandi tried not to smile as she asked, “It had a tag?”
“YES!” Howie said almost coming up out of his chair.
Brandi coyly pulled the bear back out and looked at the tag, “It says, ‘To: Brandi From: Howie, I love you.”
“It doesn’t say that!” Howie said grabbing the bear. He looked at the tag and then at Brandi, “It says will you marry me?”
“Yes, I know.”
“Well?”
“Well what?” Brandi asked
“Will you marry me?!?” Howie asked
“Of course I will.”
“Then why didn’t you say that in the first place?”
“From reading the card I didn’t know if you or the bear was asking. Besides, it sound much better coming from you.”
Howie just started at her, “You’ll marry me?”
“Yes, of course. I thought I already said that.”
A huge grin spread across his face. He took the ring from the bow tie and slipped it onto Brandi’s finger. She smiled at him, and then right there in the restaurant Howie leaned across the table and kissed her. Brandi didn’t care, she was going to marry the man she loved.
