“Yeah?”
“I think you can put me down.”
“Why?”
“The song’s over,” she said.
No one seemed to care about his mishap. “I guess you’re right.”
Heather giggled as he placed her on her feet. She kept her arms wrapped around his neck. “That was sweet of you.”
He leaned in to kiss her hearing a moan escape her lips. He didn’t blame her as his heart hammered inside his chest. Claiming her lips, he embraced her waist. Spots flashed behind his vision. She stole his breath.
Epilogue
One year later…
Heather rubbed the back of her neck, checking her makeup one last time in her mirror. Allen had a special evening planned for them, but he didn’t hint to what those plans were. Heather shook out her hands. There was nothing to worry about. He was the same man after his divorce was final. He didn’t change. In fact, their relationship changed for the better.
They weren't a perfect couple. She gave up on that idea a long time ago. Her parents were proof of that. Despite her doubts, her father and mother were still together and still in love.
Even her relationship with her father changed since he moved back to Maple Meadow. When her parents celebrated their first year of remarriage with a party, Heather enjoyed her first father-daughter dance. She rested her head on her father’s shoulder as Luther Vandross’ “Dance with my Father” played around them. She had wanted to pinch herself, but it was real. Her father was home to stay.
Sonia and Terrance were exclusive. Morgan signed with Wordsmith’s Skin and Cosmetics, along with planning her Spring Wedding to Desmond. Only two months away, Heather helped the bride-to-be as one of her bridesmaids.
She checked the time on her cell. She had a few minutes to spare, so she pirouetted in the mirror again. Heather rolled her eyes. She looked great. Nothing out of place.
Wringing her hands together, she blew out her cheeks. Why did tonight feel different? It didn’t matter. She would love anything he planned. He did nothing to make her doubt his love for her.
At that thought, she smiled. Pressing her hands to her cheeks, she spotted her silly grin in the mirror. Checking her cell once more, she needed to leave if she would meet him on time. She grabbed her wool coat, along with her purse and phone. Carmen would come for Tinsel later.
Raking her fingers through her hair, Heather hurried to her car, careful of the ice on the sidewalk. She wouldn’t repeat her mistake from last year. Her knee was better, and while she wouldn’t wear her five-inch heels tonight, she didn’t mind wearing her flat ankle boots. She shivered as the wind picked up hurrying to her car and started the engine. Opening the folded paper on her dashboard, the side of her mouth quirked up.
I'll even give you a little head start
In your glove box is placed
A small foretaste
A delicious piece of my heart
Opening her glove compartment, she found a heart-shaped red box. Allen knew the way to her heart, chocolate. She ate the treat with pleasure.
A scavenger hunt? Allen wasn’t the type. He gave her roses when he was being thoughtful, but this was out of the box for him. A lightness in her chest overwhelmed her. She opened it.
The next clue you wish to find
Is sure to bring a smile
Like you, it’s one of a kind
Are roses your favorite or mine?
Heather giggled as she pulled out of the driveway and headed to the floral shop. Lacy flakes drifted from the sky onto her windshield. She turned on her radio listening to her favorite carols. Thanks to little traffic, she didn’t waste time arriving at the floral shop.
Ms. Hattie stood behind the counter with a bouquet of red roses in her hand. “These are for you.”
Heather touched a hand to her chest as she walked to the counter. Live houseplants lined the shelves. The rustle of floral plastic filled her ears as she stared at the home decor plaques with homey sayings on them. She smelled fresh flowers in the air.