Together we’d sail across the placid sea to a world where no one could touch us. Only me loving you. Forever. You are the sun that lights the sky. The beautiful hues of purple and pink that fill the dawn with splashes of color. The radiant beams of celestial light that bring happiness, comfort, and joy to everything they touch. The gentle caress of a mother’s hand as she smoothes back the hair that clings to her child’s forehead while he sleeps. The spring rains that bring life to the world around us. You are everything.

 

Yours Always

 

Several months passed. Every day Kevin came into Enid’s Garden to take Vivian to lunch. And every night a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, or a letter would be delivered to her door. Vivian couldn’t believe that a man could write such beautiful words. It was almost as if he knew her intimately. That they had shared their dreams and hopes with each other. That she confessed to him her idea of a perfect romance. Taryn watched in amused observation, laughing inwardly to the obliviousness that Vivian had. Each morning Vivian would waltz into the shop floating on Cloud 9, humming a sappy tune through her lips while stars danced in her almond-colored eyes. She was in love. Completely smitten. And because of this mystery man who showered her with compliments and gifts, she wouldn’t even give Kevin the chance to love her.

 

“Thank you for lunch, Kevin. You really don’t need to keep taking me out though. Let me treat once in a while,” Vivian said as Kevin walked her back the sloped sidewalk toward Enid’s Garden.

 

“It’s not a problem, Viv. I enjoy taking you out for lunch. You’re great company.” Kevin stopped outside the heavy glass door, his hand resting on the knob. But he didn’t turn it so they could enter the shop. “Vivian, would you accompany me to dinner tonight?” he asked nervously.

 

Vivian smirked, placing her hands on her delicate hips. “Why, Kevin! Are you asking me on a date?”

 

Kevin blushed slightly, a silly grin marking his lips. “I guess that what I’m doing,” he replied. “So, will you?”

 

“Of course, Kevin. Pick me up at eight?”

 

“I’ll be there with bells on.” Kevin kissed Vivian cheek tenderly before opening the door for her. Walking away, there was a dance in his step.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Precisely at eight, Kevin knocked on Vivian’s door. “Wow, Viv! You look incredible!” Kevin gushed, totally pleased with the sweeping ivory tank dress. The embroidered hem in whispers of blue and green skimmed her ankles and cradled the scooping neckline. Soft tendrils of ebony hair framed her face and brushed her back, a messy updo allowing her sculpted shoulders to breathe the night air. Kevin leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured.

 

“Thank you, Kevin. You don’t look half-bad yourself,” Vivian returned. Kevin looked sophisticated yet relaxed in a khaki Dockers and navy blue polo shirt combination. Although his dark hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, a few wisps straggled free from the restraint. “Shall we go?” Kevin asked, offering Vivian his hand. With a smile, Vivian accepted, bidding Whisper goodbye before closing the door behind her.

 

The two dined at Matthew’s Taste of Italy, a quaint Italian restaurant in the heart of Cedar Grove. Vivian loved the casual atmosphere, the faint strains of Italian arias filling the dining room, and the deep burgundy merlot. But most of all, she loved Kevin’s company. Their light, easy-going conversation mixed with peels of gentle laughter. Kevin reached across the table and took Vivian’s hand in his, kissing her knuckles lightly. Vivian swallowed hard, pushing past the growing lump in her throat, for when she looked into Kevin’s eyes, she saw a twinkle of love. She gasped softly. Kevin was a terrific guy. A man worthy of a woman’s affection. But her heart belonged to another.

 

But as the night wore on, she wondered what it would be like with Kevin loving her. Would Kevin tell her that he skin looks like spun silk? That every time a breeze kisses his face, it feels like her breath brushing against his skin while she slept? “Would you like to come up for coffee, Kevin?” Vivian asked, wrapping her pale blue shawl tighter around her shoulders.

 

“I’d like that very much, Viv. Thank you.” The two rode the elevator up to her apartment in silence. Kevin could sense a feeling of nervousness radiating from Vivian’s body, so he reached out and took her hand, tangling his fingers with hers. Whisper greeted them with a loud meow as they walked in, Vivian flicking on the light as she passed. She tossed her shawl to the couch and turned around, finding herself directly in front of Kevin. His green eyes pierced her to her very center as they flickered with compassion and desire.

 

Kevin laid his palm alongside her face, stroking the soft skin below her eye with his thumb, and subconsciously, Vivian leaned into the touch. Licking his lips, Kevin moved forward, his eyes never straying from hers. Almost as if it didn’t happen, his lips brushed across hers in a feathery touch that sent shivers raining down her spine. He leaned in again and captured her mouth in a delicate kiss, suckling her bottom lip between his and wringing a moan of contentment forth from Vivian’s throat. Kevin’s tongue snaked out and met Vivian’s half-way, a moist exchange of spit occurring as their tongues slid silently over one another’s.

 

Vivian pulled Kevin toward the couch, untucking his polo from the waistband of his pants, their mouths still meshed together in desire-filled kisses. Kevin deftly unzipped Vivian’s tank dress, pushing the soft material from her shoulders to reveal her even softer skin. His lips attached themselves to her neck and collarbones, peppering her fevered skin with adoring kisses. Pausing long enough for Kevin to yank the shirt from his body, exposing his muscled chest and abdomen to Vivian for the first time, the two collapsed on the couch in a tangle of limbs. He fondled her breast through the satin of her brassiere as he laid nestled between her thighs, gently thrusting against the fabric of their remaining clothing. “You are so beautiful, Viv. I love you,” Kevin sighed between kisses.

 

But abruptly, Vivian stopped, pushing Kevin away. “Kevin, I can’t do this,” she panted.

 

Kevin ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “Why not, Viv? Can’t you see there’s an obvious attraction between the two of us? You can’t sit there and tell me you don’t feel anything for me!” Kevin cried, rising to his feet.

 

“I do feel things for you, Kevin! You’re incredible! But my heart belongs to another! You have to understand that!” Vivian retorted.

 

“You don’t even know who he is, Vivian! Christ!” Kevin jerked his head through his shirt. “He may not even be real! Did you stop to think about that? I’m real, Viv! Me! Don’t you realize that it’s because of you that I didn’t leave Cedar Grove months ago?! That just the prospect of seeing your smile is enough to make me drag my ass out of bed?!”

 

Vivian looked up at Kevin, a few tears wanting to fall from her eyes. “Suddenly, coffee doesn’t seem like such a good idea,” she mumbled.

 

“No.” Kevin snatched his keys from the floor where they’d fallen and left, slamming the door harshly behind him.

 

Vivian curled up in the fetal position, her arms wrapped tightly around her legs, and sobbed. She’d probably lost the closest friend next to Taryn that she’d ever had. But she had to be true to herself, didn’t she?