Chapter 14: When I See You Smile

Lauralee snuck back into the room, while Alex was taking a shower.  He got out, rubbing his hair with a towel.

�Did you get the sodas?�

�Huh?�

�That�s why you left, right?�

�Um��

�Alright, what�s going on?�

�Why don�t you get dressed and find out.�

Alex looked at her wide-eyed, and scrambled for some clothes to put on.

The ride to the elevator was silent, with Alex wanting to ask what was going on, but knew that Lauralee wouldn�t say a word about it.  Lauralee led him to the lounge near the lobby, where Marcus was waiting at the door.

�Bro, don�t tell me that you�re a part of this too,� said Alex.

�My lips are sealed, man.�

�Nah, Marcus wouldn�t spill on me, he�s my boy,� Lauralee chided.  �Is everything ready?�

�All set.�

�Now close your eyes,� she instructed him.  Alex shut his eyes nice and tight.

�OK,� Lauralee led him inside the lounge.  �Open your eyes.�

Alex opened his eyes to the empty lounge, where nothing was there except a table in the center of the room, decorated like it was for a fancy dinner, with candles, a plate of miniature pastries, and a bottle of champagne chilling in a silver bottle.

�How did you do this?�

�Marcus helped me out with the champagne, and I gave the head waiter an extra tip.�

�You didn�t have to do this.�

�No, I didn�t.  After all, you take me places and gave me this beautiful gift.  No, it�s too much for you.� Lauralee folded her arms across her chest.

Alex took her in his arms.  �You are too much.�

�No, you are.�

They sat down, drank champagne, and fed each other miniature pastries.  Not much talking was involved; they just looked at each other, taking in each moment, this� magical moment.

After finishing the pastries, Alex leaned back and patted his stomach.  �That�s it, I�m spent.  How about you?�

Her eyes twinkled.  �Not yet� there�s still one more thing.�

�Such as?�

She pulled out a mini stereo she had borrowed from Howie, placed it on the table, stood up and faced Alex.  �Dance with me?�

�I�d love to.�  He took her hand and led her to the floor.  �And what may I ask are we playing?�

�A little something I borrowed from Kevin.�

The song began to play from Kevin�s old Bad English CD.  Lauralee closed her eyes, as Alex took her in a tight embrace and began to sway to the music. 

Sometimes I wonder
If I'd ever make it through
Through this world
Without having  you
I just wouldn't have a clue
Cause sometimes it seems
Like this world's closing in on me
And there's no way of breaking free
And then I see you reach for me

Sometimes I wanna give up
Wanna give in
I wanna quit the fight
And then I see you baby
And everything's alright
Everything's alright

When I see you smile
I can face the world
Oh you know I can do anything
When I see you smile
I see a ray of light
Oh I see it shining
Right through the rain
When I see you smile
Baby when I see you smile at me
Oh yeah

Baby there's nothing in this world that could ever do
What the touch of your hand can do
It's like nothing that I ever knew
Hey

And when the rain is falling
I don't feel it
Cause you're here with me now
I wanna ask you baby
It's all I�ll ever need
All I'll ever need

When I see you smile
I can face the world
Oh you know I can do anything
When I see you smile
I see a ray of light
Oh I see it shining
Right through the rain
When I see you smile baby
Baby when I see you smile at me

Sometimes I wanna give up
I wanna give in
I wanna quit the fight
Then one look at you baby
And everything's alright
Hey everything's alright
It's alright

When I see you smile
I can face the world
Oh you know I can do anything
When I see you smile
I see a ray of light
Oh I see it shining
Right through the rain
Yeah

When I see you smile
Yeah I can face the world
Oh you know I can do anything now
When I see you smile
Oh yeah
Baby when I see you smile
Smile at me


They stopped swaying to the beat of the song, but they still embraced tightly.  Alex slowly let go of her waist and sighed.  �Our first slow dance.�

�Yup.�

�That was great.  Thank you, this really was a good time.�

�Well, we haven�t had much time together in a while, with my friends here and all the things we did as a group.  I just wanted to be alone with you.�

�So did I.�

�Hey how was the party?�  Alex and Lauralee turned around to find Veronica, Howie, Laura and Kevin.

�Too late,� whispered Lauralee.  �Fine, how was yours?� she spoke aloud to the rest of them.

�We all met on the strip and checked out the Roxy,� said Veronica.  �So how did everything go around here?�

�Fine,� said Alex.  �It was a big surprise.�

�I bet,� said Kevin.  �Anyone want to join us for a night cap?�

�I thought you guys had a day full of stuff tomorrow,� said Lauralee.

�Such as?�

�Uh, the name Fatima comes to mind,� Lauralee gave a smirk.

�OK, nightcap, not a good idea.� Howie made a sweep with his arms.  �The last thing I need is for her to run a stick up my ass for
being lazy.  I�m turning in.�

�We might as well, all of us,� said Kevin.

They headed back to their rooms.

Chapter 15

Contents

Chapter 13

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