Feeling his affectionate embrace tighten when he mumbles, "Shawney you got me frightened, I thought I did something to offend you."
Shawney felt so much love at that moment, knowing it was the very first time she was experiencing what it felt like to feel loved. Shawney relaxed in his embrace not wanting it to end.
"Torren, you are very special to me, and being here with me makes it even more special. You might not believe this, but being here with me helps me forget what I wanted for this Valentine's Day."
Inhaling her sweet fragrance Torren was mesmerized, his curiosity got the better of him, "And what is that, my lovely lady?"
With her head still resting on his chest, feeling his gentle stroking. Shawney felt free to open up and reveal her inner thoughts.
"Torren, you won't believe this but three years ago on this special day, my dad brought a young man to our home and he proposed. The young man thought my Dad had money, but when he saw our home, he lied and made excuses, then left. My dad was very hurt and upset thinking it was I who turned down his proposal. After that incident occurred I left home. I was planning to prepare a special dinner for him on this day, he loves my cooking. and we will talk about what we missed out on for those three years."
Torren felt his chest wet as her embrace tightened. She was hurting as she said, "But he is no longer around, I waited too long to return home. My family said he was sick and I wasn't there to take care of him and they are speaking the truth. I should have never left home on his behest, it was my fault that he left so early.'
Wanting desperately to comfort her when she gently shook her head as though she wanted to get rid of those ugly thoughts.
As she took a deep breath and then exhaled, Torren felt his heart warm up to her understanding of her plight.
When she did speak with a chuckle as though a moment ago hadn't occurred "Torren, I must really thank you, just for being here for me tonight, I will never forget it. Now please don't be offended with me, but I crave cake and ice cream."
Then she removed her hand from around his neck, which he was enjoying so much.
Hugging her around her waist, "Now you tell me, my beautiful lady, where are you going to get the place to put all that desert?"
Her laughs were seductive as she rested both hands once more around my neck, as though she read my mind.
Looking into her eyes the tears were still there but this time I could see happiness. How come she could transform so quickly? Ignoring that thought he quickly said, "Are you seducing me?"
"Is it working?" Seeing how she was smiling up to him.
Torren breath got stuck in his throat, wanting to know what was happening to him, Even the words that came out his mouth sounded strange to his ear, "I can't say for sure but what I can say is, you are very intoxicating."
Her chuckle broke the doubt and suspense in his heart, "And you, my friend are very incorrigible, now let us go to the table. I am beginning to feel sorry for your feet."
Having no choice but to agree, "You are so right, tomorrow I will need to rest my foot."
Unable to believe his ears hearing how she was laughing, she reached up and kissed his cheeks brushing her lips on his.
At the table Torren saw Robin coming with the dessert, noticing the cheque he reached out to take it when Shawney's hand moved faster by covering it, "That's for me, I invited you all."
Observing how she reaches to the back of her head and removes the clip from her hair as it falls.
Torren was so mesmerized by how beautiful the curls dropped over her shoulder. His thought went haywire, 'The few times we met at the clinic, and when she visited the hospital. Even when she came home to visit Dad that Sunday. She had her hair tied in a bun or rolled.'
Without thinking he reached out and took a tendril with his hand. saying, "Shawney, your hair is so beautiful, so why do you hide its beauty?"
Hearing his name being called, he feels as though he is in a trance, but looks towards his dad.
"Yes, Dad" only to realize that no one had called him and Shawney was collecting the change,
'Where did she get money from?' Glancing in his dad's direction, he didn't look a bit worried.
'What just happened to me, am I hearing voices again? But I felt so drawn towards her.'
Watching the way, she was enjoying her desert and Dad was sipping his coffee.
I nibble on my desert, admiring how beautifully the grey in her eyes blends in so beautifully with her golden tendrils.
As she speaks and her head shakes the curls swirled over her shoulder.
Closing his eyes, 'What is wrong with me, she is just a friend and she is dad's friend.'
Feeling someone touching his hand, he opened his eyes. Noticing how they both looked so concerned, smilingly I said, "Is something the matter?"
"If you don't mind, I am going to the men's room," His dad said.
"Sure Dad, I will keep Shawney safe until you return." Then the thought struck him, 'Is this one of Dad's plans?'
Recalling his dad's words, 'I was not expecting her to visit so early when I gave her the invitation, well not yet anyhow?'
Then I think about when I was giving Dad the money to put in her purse.
'He was so right, if I had put the money in her purse she would have been furious and even become offended, he seems to know how she thinks.'
Taking Torren hand in hers' as she gently stroked it, "Torren, are you feeling unwell, you can tell me, I don't mind, we could leave?"
Smilingly he said, "Shawney, I am fine, I was just thinking," then shook his head, "Never mind me."
With her hand still holding his, she spoke, "Tell me Torren, what were you going to say?"