Dear Readers,
Thank you for following Holly and Mark's story. I enjoyed creating these two characters. I also want thank those of you who offered positive and negative input, encouragement, and suggestions, especially on how to end their story. And I offer a special thanks to one who helped me along the way. You know who you are. I hope you find the ending satisfactory. Leto423
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I looked into the mirror.
'Holly's never seen me in a suit before,' I thought.
My suit was a color somewhere between navy and dark smoke. It was accented by a barely discernible light gray pinstripe. Contrasted against my white oxford cloth shirt was a tie. It had a black background with randomly scattered gray and blue rectangles of various shapes. It was enhanced by diagonal, very narrow, faint white stripes. Black wingtip shoes completed my look.
Standing back, satisfied, I patted my suit jacket.
"Still there," I spoke aloud.
I looked at my watch. 6:00 PM.
"OK, Mark, it's time, time to see if Holly's there."
I anxiously walked out of my room and turned toward the elevator.
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She was sitting on our bench, waiting. A dark coat was draped across its back. When she saw me, she stood.
I stopped and looked at her. She wore a midnight blue dress, high-collared and long-sleeved, ending just above her knees. It clung invitingly to her form, sculpting every curve of her body. She was wearing stockings and low-heeled shoes to match. A string of pearls glowed softly around her neck. The hair on one side of her face was drawn back, held in place by a hairpin shaped like a tiny crimson-colored butterfly.
"Hi," I said across the space between us.
"Hi, Mark," her words floated back to me.
I stepped to her, took both of her hands in mine.
"You don't know how relieved I am that you're here," I said.
"I'm relieved too."
We stood in awkward silence.
"You looked positively gorgeous, Holly. I love the dress. I love the hairpin."
"And you are pretty handsome yourself. Nice tie. I've never seen you in a suit before. You dress up nice."
"Have you eaten? I do have reservations for dinner," I said.
"No, actually I'm starving. I've been too nervous to eat."
"Me too. Grab your coat and let's enjoy dinner together."
She picked up her coat and we walked toward the entrance. She stopped at the door and waited for me to help put on her coat.
We stepped outside and she asked, "Where are you parked?"
I pointed.
"A limousine?" she exclaimed.
"Just for tonight," I said with a smile. "I didn't want to be distracted while I was driving."
"So, I still can distract you," she responded.
"And you always will," I said.
Taking my arm, we walked to the limo.
Once we were settled inside, the driver started us toward our destination.
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When we arrived, she said, "I've heard of this place."
"I found this restaurant on the Internet and thought it would be a nice, romantic place to be together after so long."
"Romantic," she said. "That's a good sign."
Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a painting that covered an entire wall in the main dining room. An adjoining room was decorated like a North African tent. Drapes hung from the ceiling. The table settings were charming and intimate.
I gave the maitre de my name and he escorted us toward the tent room. I stepped behind Holly as we crossed the main dining area. A hush fell over the room. It seemed as though every eye was watching Holly.
After we were seated under the tent, a waiter approached with goblets of water and a wine list. We studied the wine list and I offered to have Holly pick out the wine. I ordered an appetizer of fried Casseri Cheese Starter. She ordered a Pecan Fried Beet Salad. We asked that our appetizers and wine be brought before we chose our dinner.
The appetizers were served with a full basket of warm bread. There were two kinds and both were tasty, warm, and full of flavor. Spiced butter patties lined the basket. The waiter took our orders for the evening meal. Holly chose the Paella and I chose the tuna special.
