Taryn closed her robe around herself and opened the door, staring through sleep-blurred eyes at the dark-haired individual who stood on her front step at one o’clock in the morning. “I’m sorry, Taryn. I just didn’t know where else to go,” Kevin apologized.

 

“It’s okay, baby. Come on in,” Taryn replied, taking one look at the wreck of a man standing in her doorway. Leading him to the couch, she asked, “What happened, Kevin?”

 

“She’s so in love with the illusion I’ve created, she doesn’t want anything besides friendship with me,” he murmured, wiping away a tear that trickled down his cheek. “Can’t she see that we’re one and the same? Doesn’t she realize that those words he speaks to her come from my heart?”

 

Taryn stroked Kevin’s hair affectionately. “Darlin’, you have no one to blame but yourself for this. I don’t want to come across sounding like a total bitch, but if you would have stopped the letters, canceled the flowers, and eliminated the loving words, she’d be in your arms right now instead of pining away for the image you’ve conjured up in her head.”

 

Kevin laughed. “Don’t sugar coat it, Taryn. Tell me how your really feel.”

 

“You want the truth?” Taryn inquired. Kevin nodded. “She already loves you. I’ve never seen her happier than when she’s with you. Now it’s up to you to take the next step.”

 

“And how do I do that, T?”

 

“Tell her who her mystery man is. Tell her it’s you. But do it gently.” Taryn paused. “Send her another note. A bouquet of flowers. Something Mr. Perfect would do. And tell her to meet you at the Golden Swan tomorrow night at nine. When she shows up, you’ll be there. And she’ll finally realize that you are one and the same perfect person.”

 

Diego wandered in from the bedroom, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “What’s going on, sugar?” he asked Taryn. Kevin smiled sheepishly. He must look like such a pussy to Taryn’s husband.

 

“Woman problems,” Taryn answered. “I’ll be back to bed shortly.”

 

Diego flashed a relaxing smile at Kevin. “Buck up, kid. You’re in good hands. But don’t keep her to long.”

 

“Thanks, Diego,” Kevin said.

 

Diego shuffled back to the bedroom, the springs creaking loudly as he flopped back on the bed. “You okay now, Kevin?” Taryn questioned, giving his arm a gentle squeeze.

 

“I am. I’ll send her a note right now. And tomorrow she’ll either love me or she’ll hate me.” He rose to his feet and walked to the door, Taryn following him. “Thanks, Taryn. You’ve been a great friend.” He kissed her cheek lightly before opening the door and leaving.

 

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

 

I see a glimpse of Heaven in your smile. And I know that’s where I want to be. I want to share that paradise with you for the rest of my life. Meet me at the Golden Swan at nine o’clock.

 

Eternally

 

Vivian read the note again for the trillionth time, her heart pumping wildly and her hands shaking with anticipation. In three short hours she would finally meet the man who’d haunted her dreams and thoughts from the moment she’d laid eyes on that bouquet of orchids and lilies. With Taryn’s help, Vivian was ready to by 8:45 and looked absolutely breathtaking. A short, silver halter gown with dainty spiked shoes. Her ebony hair falling in waves down her back. Taryn knew that Kevin would appreciate the extra effort Vivian and she had put in to make this night extra special.

 

Vivian sauntered through the ornate doors, a dozen eyes watching every graceful moment of her body, as she scanned the establishment for her mystery suitor. She spied Kevin sitting at the bar wearing a double-breasted, pinstripe suit in jet black, a squatty glass of amber liquid held casually in his hand. Weaving through the throng of people, she approached him, placing her hand on his shoulder to make her presence known.

 

“Kevin? What are you doing here?” Vivian asked as she slid onto the vacant seat at his side.

 

“I’m meeting someone,” was his soft reply.

 

Vivian could feel the uneasy tension that surrounded them and cleared her throat softly before speaking again. “Kevin, about what happened last night…”

”Don’t apologize. I’m the one who should be apologizing,” Kevin interrupted.

 

“Why? What did you do?”

 

Kevin rose to his feet and produced a single orange tiger lily from by his side. “I love you. The way your nose wrinkles when you laugh. The way your eyes light up when you smile. The way you belch after a really long slug of beer. I love everything about you. I love you.” Kevin stopped rambling to gage Vivian’s reaction, meeting a gaze filled with shock and confusion.

 

“Kevin, this really isn’t the time or place. I’m meeting my mystery man tonight. This could be it. I may have finally found my soul mate. And you try and ruin it for me by professing your love,” Vivian snapped.

 

“I see a glimpse of Heaven in your smile. And I know that’s where I want to be. I want to share that paradise with you for the rest of my life. Meet me at the Golden Swan at nine o’clock,” Kevin quoted, watching Vivian’s eyes widen in surprise then narrow in anger and disbelief. “I’m that man you’ve been waiting for, Vivie.”

 

Vivian reached up and slapped Kevin hard across the cheek. “I cannot believe you, Kevin! How could you do that to me? You got me to tell you everything about him! I told you things in confidence! And then you used them against me! No wonder why it seemed that he was in my head reading my thoughts! He was you!” Vivian screamed before spinning on her heel and storming from the restaurant.

 

Kevin hung his head in defeat as he watched her exit his life. Probably for good. So much for honesty. He tossed a few bills on the counter and left, handing his tiger lily to a woman sitting at the bar.