"This isn't another one of those jokes, is it?", Mark wanted to know.
"For the hundredth time, Mark, no this isn't a joke", Tim muttered in frustration. "Will you get it through that thick skull of yours that this isn't a gag. I have a date with a new girlfriend and she has a friend that hasn't been out a lot lately, so we set up a double date. I know I have a history of kidding you once in a while, but I never played any jokes on you like the other guys. Did I?" Tim waited a moment for an answer. "Well? Did I?"
Mark dropped his head in embarrassment and said, "No you didn't. Sorry, Tim. It's just that this is the kind of thing the guys used to do to me whenever they could talk me into another blind date."
Tim softened. "Damn it, Mark. I know you had a rough time of it with the some of our so-called friends. But this is on the level. And the only reason I gave you a second thought on this is because you said you wouldn't mind fucking my mother. And Kelly, your date, is about my mother's age. And she is also the right height for you and she is a knockout.
"Plus, I know you'd treat a woman like a lady and not a hunk of meat. Well, not unless she makes you think of her as a hunk of meat anyway."
Mark opened his mouth to respond, but was silenced by the grand house set back from the road where Tim turned into a long drive.
"Wow! If nothing else, I'm going to get to see a really nice place", Mark brightened.
"And you're going to see and meet a couple of very nice women too", Tim countered.
Tim drove around to the back of the house and parked the car where Anne had him park on Friday. Mark was obviously impressed. Tim just hoped that he was equally impressed when he met Kelly.
Tim shut the car off and said, "Okay, Mark. Let's go."
They stepped out of the car and Tim lead the way to the game room door. Mark was busy taking in the size and style of the house, while Tim was looking to see who would be at the door to greet them. Remembering how Kelly had ambushed him with her dress the night before, Tim wondered what she had in store for Mark tonight.
Tim checked his watch and noted that it was 6 PM straight up and smiled. He looked up again just in time to see a tall, very female form step up to the glass door from within. He smiled at the warmth in Anne's eyes as he approached. Seeing that Mark was still taking in the outside of the house, Tim gave him a gentle nudge, bringing Mark back to the important sights on the property.
Mark, belatedly blocked the elbow and brought his attention to the door in front of him. All his fears about a prank on Tim's part showed painfully on Mark's face. Seeing Mark's discomfort and anger at being betrayed, Tim quickly grabbed his arm and said, "That's Anne, MY date! And keep your hands off of her."
Still visibly shaken, but relaxing, Mark countered "I couldn't reach her if I wanted to. But I can see why you'd want to keep the wolves away. Very nice!"
"Now, if you're done having a fit, would you like to meet YOUR date?"
Somewhat guilty for suspecting his friend, Mark said,, "Uh, yeah."
Anne slid the door open and said, "Hi Mark. Tim."
Mark was amazed at Anne's openness and warmth. And she was definitely the knockout that Tim had bragged about. Statuesque and lush, he could see why Tim was so wrapped up in her. If he were taller, he could see enjoying every inch of her lovely body. The beige, v-neck sweater she wore did nothing to hide the round curves at hip and chest. And the knee length tight brown skirt, slit on the right side, revealed some of the firm long legs that lay hidden within. Flickering firelight danced on shimmering soft shoulder length blonde hair. She was a vision all right.
Anne stepped back from the door inviting them inside. Tim signaled Mark to go first. Mark stepped into the game room. Before him stood a woman of short stature and lean build. Lean that is, except for the size of her chest. Her face was pretty and she was smiling. And he was looking down into her face. She extended her right hand. Mark, obviously stunned, tentatively took her hand, shook it first, then awkwardly bent at the waist and kissed it.
Kelly chuckled and said, "Tim, where did you find such an old world gentleman for me?"
"Well, actually, he's not so much a gentleman as he is just pleasantly and thoroughly shocked."
Marked looked back at Tim as he closed the door and just shook his head.
"Kelly. You have to understand something about my friend, Mark. Because of his height and a couple of other traits," Tim grinned, Mark winced, "Mark has suffered endless jokes and pranks at the hands of his schoolmates, not too long ago."
Mark looked at the floor in embarrassment and nodded confirmation of Tim's remarks. Then he again looked at his 'date'. Kelly was in heels, but was still a couple of inches shorter than he was. Her trim legs, nicely curved at the calf, rose up to disappear into a brown wool skirt that started a couple of inches above her knees. The skirt's waistband snugged a beige knit sweater with three-quarter sleeves and a deep v-neck. The v-neck exposed a generous cleavage that Mark had trouble ignoring.
Anne broke the silence. "We started a fire and thought that since we all have some place to be in the morning, we could put on some music and do our dancing here. "Would that be okay?"
Tim and Mark looked at each other and shrugged. "Sounds good to me", Tim offered.
"Me too", grinned Mark, "but I don't have to be at work until tomorrow afternoon and don't have classes again 'til Tuesday."
"That's great!", Kelly squealed. "Anne, help me pick out some music. I want something slow and romantic.
"Is that okay with everybody?", Kelly asked as she scanned her friends' faces.
Mark piped up, saying "It sounds good to me."
"Oh, Mark. Thank you. I've always loved slow dancing", Kelly gushed. To Tim, she said, "And thank you for finding me such a nice date."
"It was the least I could do."
Kelly and Anne left the guys standing at the door, while they went off to pick out some music. Kelly was giggling as they went. Tim and Mark followed the girls deeper into the game room. The girls disappeared behind the rich mahogany bar. The boys dropped into one of the couches near the fireplace, facing the bar.
A moment later, soft romantic strains filtered into the room and the lights dimmed. Tim noticed Anne's hand on the dimmer switch on the wall by the end of the bar. She turned her head, catching him looking and they both smiled. Anne stepped quickly around the end of the bar and made a beeline to Tim.
Tim stood and they moved to an open area next to the covered pool table where they melted into one another and swayed slightly to the rhythm of the music. Still sitting, Mark watched and sighed as the couple slowly entwined themselves as they moved.
"Did you just want to sit and be jealous, or would you care to dance with me?", Kelly prompted into Marks ear as she bent over him from behind the couch.
Mark flinched at the unexpected proximity of Kelly's soft whisper. He hadn't noticed her return from behind the bar.
"Sorry, Kelly. They just look so good together", he offered as he stood.
Kelly eyed the dancers and, with a note of jealousy in her voice, said, "Yes they do. Shall we try to look as good?"
