I stared at my phone for a brief second, before answering it.

“Hello.” I said breathlessly.

“Bethany, it’s Howie, did you get my flowers?”  He asked me in a rush.

“Hi Howie, yes I did, they are beautiful, I love them all.  Where did you find such beautiful colors?”

“I have friends in the business.” he laughed.  “So, would you like to go do something today?  The leaves are changing colors and it’s very nice outside, maybe a trip to the Zoo?”

I stood there looking at the flowers on my dining room table, thinking about the heart stopping kiss from last night.  “Yes, that would be wonderful!  I haven’t been to the Zoo in ages.  Just let me get cleaned up.”

“Okay, so, can I pick you up in about two hours?”

“Sure!  I’ll be ready.  Talk to you soon!” I was all but skipping up the stairs as we hung up.

After a hot steamy shower, I wrapped myself up in a towel and went to stand in the doorway to my closet.  I looked at all the clothes there, with the news playing in the background, the weather was supposed to be sunny and 75 today.  I picked out a pair of black Capri’s with a white 3/4 length sleeve pullover, and a pair of sandals.  I straightened my hair, then pulled it up into a ponytail, put on a tiny bit of makeup and was ready to go.

Howie arrived promptly two hours later, I heard the purr of the Mazda as it pulled into the drive.  He knocked on the door, I hollered for him to come in, as I bounced down the stairs.  I looked up to see him standing there in a pair of jeans, and a black T-shirt, his smile bright and his eyes sparkling.  I walked over to him and he took my hands and leaned in for a kiss.  I kissed him softly and instantly felt that melting sensation.

I slowly and unwillingly pulled away, subconsciously licking my lips for his taste.  “Let me grab my purse, so we can enjoy our day together.”  I grabbed my keys off the hook and my purse off the side table, Howie held the door open and I locked it behind me.  He lead me to the car, and I slid into the soft leather of the passenger seat, and then he was right there beside me.  We drove through town to the Zoo, we got a close parking spot, which seemed like a miracle since the lot was almost overflowing.  Howie paid our admission in, and we set off.  I have always loved the big cats and bears and the aquarium, so we headed in the direction fo the cats via the way of the monkeys.  We wandered through the Zoo hand in hand and talked, and kissed softly every once in a while.  The sun felt marvelous, and the breeze was light, and the animals were all perfectly active, it was almost like a dream.  The day passed lazily and we saw every animal in the place.

After spending four glorius hours looking at every critter in the place, we finally found our way out.  We headed back into town for a bite to eat, and stopped at a little Mexican food place.  I had cheese enchiladas and a margarita, and he had fajitas and a coke.  We talked about our day and ate and talked some more.  That’s when he asked, “So, what flower was your favorite?”

“They were all so beautiful, I don’t think i can choose just one.” I looked down and blushed.

“Well, then I suppose you will just have to be surprised then.”  He took my hand and raised it to his lips, kissing the back of it softly, then turning it over and kissing the palm.  My stomach did flips and I thought my breath would never come back.  “Are you ready to go, my dear?”

I managed to stumble through a ‘yes’, he paid the bill, and walked me back to the car, and drove me home.  He walked me to the door.  I turned to unlock it, and asked him if he would like to come in.  He declined.  I stood there for just a moment, shocked.  Then he turned me toward him, taking me in his arms and kissing me passionately.  Again I felt tingly and floaty, as my body responded naturally, I pressed against him and put my arms around him.  He broke the kiss a short time later, saying, “I can’t stay with you tonight Bethany.”  I could feel my heart break.  I wanted this man, more than I have ever wanted anyone else, and he stood there telling me, no.

I giggled and blushed, “Howie, you devil you.”

“Oh, my dear, I am far from being a devil.” He laughed.

He leaned in close and kissed my cheek, then whispered my name in my ear, “Bethany…” He kissed me again softly on the lips, and told me goodnight.  I walked into the house, shut the door, listening as his car pulled out of the drive, walked up stairs, undressing and sliding into bed.

I had a wonderful dream that night.  I was standing in a meadow, and Howie was there, and all our friends and family were there.  We were being showered with rose petals of every color, and people were congratulating us.  I woke up to a knock at my door.

I sauntered lazily down the stairs, and there were a dozen white roses on the doorstep, no card, no note.  I didn’t need them, I knew they were from Howie.  I put them up on the table beside the others, and then wandered into the kitchen to grab some breakfast.  The day sidled by slowly, and I didn’t hear from him.

The week passed uneventful.  Every morning I woke up to a dozen roses on my doorstep, each dozen a different shade from the last.  I still hadn’t heard from him.

Friday morning, there was a card on the dozen vibrantly pink roses.

Dearest Bethany,

If you would be ready at eight o’clock sharp, I would love to take you on a weekend adventure.

Yours,

Howie

A weekend adventure, my mind raced!  I had to get packed, I called into the office and told them I would be working from home today.  I started packing, and at eight o’clock sharp there was a knock at my door.  I opened the door to a man dressed in a suit and holding a deep green rose.  he lead me to a Limo that was parked outside, and then helped me in.  Howie was there, in jeans and a green t-shirt, with plane tickets in his hands.

“Ready for the time of your life, my dearest Bethany?”

(To be continued)