William smiled before drinking his beer. “Yeah, it was a pretty good kiss, wasn’t it?”
“So, do you have a favorite witch?” she asked, the alcohol giving her courage. “One with as much sex appeal as Dracula, maybe?”
William smiled into his drink. “You would love to know, wouldn’t you?”
They were interrupted by the host of the costume contest taking place.
The two of them turned around to watch, both feeling relieved. It was getting too heavy too quickly, and neither was sure how to proceed down that path. A woman dressed as a sexy French maid costume stood up, momentarily blocking their view. The maid was getting ready to leave the bar when she stopped and turned to Marie.
“Marie, is that you?” She took a look at William and stuck her hand out. “And who is this?” she asked. The man at Marie’s side was drop dead gorgeous. She had to know more.
Marie couldn’t believe her luck at running into someone she knew. She stumbled over her words. “Uh, this is my friend, he’s uh, we’re just here for a drink. William, this is Christina. She’s a preschool teacher and a good friend of mine. William is just visiting from Chicago.” Marie spoke quickly as she motioned towards William, accidently exposing her wedding and engagement ring.
Christina picked up her hand and stared at the rings. “Holy shit, is that what I think it is? Are you two?” Christina asked, looking at the two of them in shock, after dropping Marie’s hand. Marie was usually calm and collected, but something seemed off tonight. Marie was a nervous wreck, something Christina had never witnessed before. It made Christina smile as she watched her friend.
Marie panicked. “Oh these? It’s part of a Halloween costume. It’s nothing.”
“That is no costume, that diamond is freaking gorgeous.” Christina looked at William for an explanation.
He only laughed, at a loss for words, letting Marie dig herself a deeper hole. He was enjoying this.
“Wait, how do you two even know each other?” Marie had never mentioned the hunk to her before.
“Oh, well we knew each other from a long time ago,” Marie answered.
“She knew me when I was younger and carefree, didn’t you, honey?” William added with a large smile.
Marie glared at William, trying to repress a smile. “With Christina here as my witness, I hope you know that I am going to kill you,” she said to William.
“Yes, it is my hope that one day I can die by your side,” he said, a large smile on his face.
Christina looked at the two of them, loving their flirty banter. It was unmistakable. The two were definitely into each other. Christina was dying to know more.
“How about you? What are you doing here?” Marie asked, trying to change the subject.
“Blind date. But it fizzled out. He left earlier and I thought I’d at least stay for the contest, but it’s starting to get late, and it’s a school night. I was just leaving, actually.”
“Who was the date?” Marie asked.
Christina shook her head. “No way, you’re not changing the subject on me. So, are you guys married or not?”
Marie shook her head. An embarrassed laugh escaped her, and she looked away, trying to come up with something.
William was quicker, though, and spoke up. “Actually, I came up here to propose. She declined. I asked her to humor me and wear the rings. Maybe it’ll convince her, you know? She’s joining me to Vegas on a work trip. So, I’m hopeful,” William said, rather charmingly.
Christina opened her eyes excitedly and looked at Marie, who only shrugged, giving in to the lie.
Christina put her arm through Marie’s. “You know what? Before I leave, I need to use the ladies’ room. Marie, could you come with me please?”
Marie nodded. Before walking away with her friend, she turned and gave William a look of death. He merely laughed. And damn if he didn’t look so sexy while doing so.
“Okay, what the hell is going on?” Christina asked her friend once they were out of earshot.
Marie’s shoulders slumped, wondering how she’d get out of this one.
“Who is he?” Christina asked.
“Well, technically, he’s the first man I ever fell in love with.”
“The first? Marie, when have you ever been in love more than once?”
“Okay, you’re right. I haven’t. I guess William was my first and only,” Marie said. As she said it, she realized it was probably true. Even if she had only been five years old at the time.
When they made it to the bathroom, Christina turned to Marie. “So, what’s the issue? Why’d you say no?”
Marie wasn’t a very good liar and decided she’d go with the truth. Well, the partial truth.
“He has some health issues. Things are rather complicated.”
Christina put a hand to her mouth. “Health issues? Like what?”
Marie shook her head. “Look, I don’t know. But him coming into my life is going to shake things up in a way I haven’t experienced before. It’s not going to be easy.” Marie felt relieved to had said that much out loud. “To be honest, I’m scared. I don’t want to lose him, but what if I do?”
Christina shook her head. “You don’t know that. I don’t know what’s wrong with him, but there are miracles every single day.”
Marie looked at Christina, her eyes sad.
Christina put her hands on Marie’s shoulders. “Seize the day, Marie. You could lose him tonight in a car crash. You never know. Take him now, while he’s still young and damn hot, if you ask me. And my God, that dark skin of his? Marie, he’s incredible looking.”
Marie looked away and smiled. She hadn’t realized tears were in her eyes. She wiped them away before going back out into the bar.
“So, you’re going to Vegas, huh?” Christina asked.
Marie smiled. “Yeah, but don’t worry. I doubt I’ll come back married.”
“Well, I hope you do,” she said and took another look at the ring on Marie’s hand. “It’s beautiful.”
Christina walked Marie back to William, taking a cold hard look at him. If he was sick, she couldn’t tell. But she could see one thing, he looked really happy. Christina said goodnight to both of them and walked out of the bar.
Marie shook her head at him when she her friend was gone. “I cannot believe you,” she said, wanting to kill him, but she couldn’t keep the smile off of her face.
“Oh, come on. It was a good and believable story. This way, when you get back, you now have a story for how you acquired a diamond ring.”
William started to laugh loudly at her expense. “I can’t believe you actually went with Halloween costume. You are the world’s worst liar, you know that?”
Marie only glared at him, causing him to laugh louder. “I am going to kill you, you know that” she said, joining in on his laughter.
“Oh, I’m looking forward to it,” he said, his laughter dying as he finished off his beer.
He paid their tab, and they made their way back to her place for the rest of the night.
Chapter Seven
William started a fire when they got back to her place while Marie heated the stove, preparing to warm up the mulled wine. William came in just as she was pouring the drink into two clear mugs.