Roses for Romance

You dash down the hall and through the food court. Down another hall and around the corner. Past the charity table selling flowers and through....

You screech to a stop, grabbing the handle of the door leading out onto the quad you spin in place and pull yourself back inside again. You juke around a group of girls heading the opposite direction and hurry back to the table you had just passed.

There sitting at a table were two cheerful looking women, close to your age but probably a bit older. Arranged in front of them were a small variety of flower bouquets.

When they see you approaching they smile and the blonde on the left greets you. "Hello! Interested in buying some flowers?"

Your eyes are locked on one bouquet in particular. A small bundle of half a dozen rich red roses highlighted with much smaller white blooms around them. Rather plain compared to the other bright multicolored arrangements, but it was perfect. You remembered last night, the pin Casey wore was in the design of a rose. The green and red of the jewelry matching beautifully with the green and red of Casey's eyes and hair. You point at it.

The girl smiles. "A good choice. Roses for romance. Is this for your lady?"

You look at her with a coy grin. "Not my lady yet."

The girls look at each other and smile in understanding. As you dig out your wallet you suddenly have some second thoughts. Roses? You had only met her once. Yet...you were about to ask her out on a date... But...would you look ****? Weird?

Before the second thoughts could take hold you had the bouquet in your hand and the transaction had been completed. Welp, too late now. You'd either score big points for this or come off as a **** weirdo. Only one way to find out.

The spring back in your step you rush back out the door and hurry across the large open green space toward the Drama department. You get a few looks because of the flowers in your hands. Soon you are entering the main building to the department. You'd only been in the building a few times but you knew how to get to this cafe she had mentioned. You enter the open entry area and take a hard right, taking the curved set of stairs two at a time. At the top of the stairs you stop for a moment. You catch your breath and check yourself out in the reflection of a glass door. Looking good. Straight down this hall to the end and turn left and you'd be at the cafe. You walk calmly, trying your damnedest to act cool. Just before you turn the corner you hide the bouquet behind your back.

You hear the low murmur of various conversations. The cafe was full, every table taken. You scan around, it doesn't take you long. There she was! Her scarlet hair like beacon.

She was just as stunning as the night before. Perhaps more so. Last night she had been in a harshly lit diner. Here the lighting was lower and softer. She wore an off white cotton vintage dress, like something from the 50's. Tight narrow waist held by a narrow belt, a wide pleated skirt down to the knees, black buttons down the center, a square neckline and short sleeves. Despite her extremely small bust its design highlighted her shape wonderfully. Her shapely hosed calves lead down to her black low heeled pumps. She wore a simple choker necklace, the pendant on it another green and red rose design. Her incredible long red hair was back in a simple ponytail with her long bangs framing her beautiful face. Her lips were a wine red.

Her sparkling emerald eyes catch you as you walk in.

It takes you a moment to realize you had stopped dead in your tracks. Captivated by her beauty. You try to pretend you'd just been looking for her and attempt to act natural as you begin walking once more.

A woman in her early thirties had been sitting with her, but the moment she sees the two of you make eye contact she takes her leave from Casey and fades away with a knowing smile.

You walk up. "Hey."

She smiles. "Hello Jesse Bailey."

You both simply stay in the moment for a time. Her sitting, you standing, just looking at each other.

Finally she blinks and lets out a nervous laugh. "Where are my manners? Please, sit down." She swallows hard. "Listen, Jesse, I don't think there is anything to worry about but before you say a word I really have to tell you somethi..." Just then she catches sight of what was behind your back. She looks up at you with wide eyes. "What's that? Behind you?"

With a corny flourish you produce the bouquet. "For you."

Her smile fades as she gazes at the flowers in wonderment. At first you are worried you had done something wrong but it only takes a second to realize you had done something very very right. She gasps audibly and seems almost hesitant to take them from you. Looking at them as if they weren't real, as if they were too good to be true.

"They...they're beautiful!" She carefully takes them from you and is transfixed. "I love roses." She whispers.

You take your seat, feeling pretty damn good about yourself. "Yeah, I noticed the pin you wore last night. I thought maybe you'd like some roses. And, well, since I'm here to ask you on a date...well...it just felt right."

"You noticed...?" Her voice fades off. Cradling the bouquet like one might a baby she carefully shifts a few of the stems so that they lay perfectly. She was overjoyed by your gesture.

From across the cafe you hear male voice. "Roses! He's a keeper Casey!"

A smattering of laughter runs through the place. She was obviously well known here. You blush a bit at the attention.

Casey looks up, her emerald eyes sparkling with life. "I hope so." She says softly.

You shift in your chair, still trying to act casual though you could not remove the silly smile on your face for anything. "Um...so...what's good here? What are you drinking?"

"Chai Latte." She answers.

"Okay, I'll get one of those. Be right back." You get up and head toward the counter. You stop and turn back. "You need anything?"

She shakes her head without a word.

You go to the counter and order your drink. You'd never had a Chai Latte before in your life...it was fucking delicious! Creamy and spicy and frothy and just damn yummy.

You return to your seat across from this fire haired beauty. She had the bouquet resting on the table now, she absently stroked on of the fine velvety petals with the delicate middle finger of her right hand. Her nails once more matched her lips, you suspected her makeup was always on point. A gentle smile played at the corners of her mouth.

She looks up into your eyes. Her hand leaves the flowers to come to rest very close to your, though not quite touching.

The pair of you strike up a conversation. As easy and natural as it had been the night before. A new playful element now a part of it as you each knew you were interested in the other. She had an elegant poise and charm that was irresistible to you. Her every sound and movement a study in fluid grace.

Three quarters of an hour later, though it felt like five minutes, you shift your hand and lay it on top of hers. Her skin was warm and oh so soft. She smiles bashfully and shifts in her chair a bit closer.

"So, about that date?" You ask. "What do you say?"

She chuckles. "How could I say no? I would love to Jesse. When?"

"This weekend?" You ask hopefully.

She's about to nod her head when suddenly she gets a pained expression. "Wait...no, I can't. My Mom's in town and I promised I'd spend it with her."

"Oh, I understand." You were disappointed of course but it was what it was. "Next Friday?"

She nods enthusiastically. "Yes! Yes. Next Friday. I can't wait."

You notice behind you a number of the other students all get up at once and make their way out of the cafe. Casey's eyes follow them and she sighs. "I've got to go soon. Rehearsal. I'll probably be here most of the evening."

She looks you in the eyes once more and smiles. "I am so happy you came on to Felix. We never would have met otherwise."

You chuckle. "My sister." You correct her. "Elsie came on to Felix."

Casey chuckles too and cocks her head curiously. "And you. You both did. You guys said...."

"Come on Casey!" That same male voice from before calls from the doorway. "Ms Wagner's already here."

"Aw." She grips your hand in hers. "I'm so sorry, I have got to go. Call me though, anytime. Maybe we can grab another latte."

You squeeze her hand back. "I'd like that."

"I look forward to next Friday." She bats her beautiful green eyes.

"Me too."

You both let out a little sigh.

She reluctantly pulls her hand from yours. She takes the bouquet and once more cradles it like a precious thing. "Next Friday." She leans down and gives you a light kiss to your cheek. She wore the same scent as the night before, that intoxicating feminine scent. She stays there a moment longer than necessary, the pair of you cheek to cheek. Her slender creamy white neck just inches from your lips.

She slowly stands and you catch a quick nibble of her bottom lip as she gives you one last longing look.

She says sweetly. "Thank you for the roses."

You smile a modest smile. You felt like you should be thanking her somehow, you had received so much joy seeing her treasure your gift. "I'm just happy you liked them."

"I adore them. I'll see you soon Jesse Bailey."

"See ya later Casey Devlin."

And with that she was gone. You sit there a long time, empty cup in your hand, and just stare at the wall.

"YES!" You suddenly exclaim out of nowhere. The other customers, far fewer now than before, glance in your direction. A few giggles and nudges among them as they turn back to their own business.