Blind Date

He caressed her nipple, looking into her eyes. “So, does this mean I get to keep you?”

“Do you want to keep me?” she whispered, shivering at his touch.

“Yeah, sure, why not?” He smiled. “Well, wait a minute…do you cook? My roommate can make gourmet meals. If I’m gonna trade him in for you…” She laughed. “Sorry, babe, with me you only get boxed macaroni and cheese and hot dogs.”

Polly opened the door and peered in at them. “Hey, good, you’re okay!

Listen, I have to lock up for the day.”

Eric nodded and waved to Polly as she poked her head back out the door.

He made a face at Annie. “What about chicken pot pies? Can you make those?”

“If you have a microwave,” Annie quipped. “Roommate? What’s this about a roommate?”

Eric grinned. “I’m guess I’m gonna have to tell Herman you’re moving in.”

“I’m moving in?” Annie was so stunned by that news that it took her a moment to realize what name he had spoken. When she made the connection, her eyes widened and something tightened in her belly. “Herman? Your roommate’s name is Herman?”

“Yeah. He’s a great guy, you’ll love him.”

Annie gulped. “Does he have a tattoo on his upper arm? Funny looking Greek characters?”

Eric’s eyes widened. “Yeah…why, have you met?”

“I think we have,” she smiled, shaking her head in disbelief. “It sure is a small world.”

Eric helped her to stand. “Come on, beautiful, let’s go home.”

“Are you really okay with the whole baby thing?” she asked, grabbing for his hand as they headed out the door and down the stairs.

“Yes.” He pulled her to him, kissing her hard enough to bruise her flesh.

His eyes were serious when he said, “I’m so glad you found me.” She gasped, holding onto him, and murmured into his neck. “I’m glad I looked.”

“So…now we have to tell my mother.” He sounded amused.

“And my sisters,” she added, following him down the stairs.

He groaned. “Okay, that’s it, me and you under a dark table for the rest of our lives!”

“I could live with that.”

Annie felt a flutter in her belly as she pressed herself against him and kissed him fully in the daylight. They stood together like a beginning, the warm spring sun a gentle blessing on them both as they merged together in the doorway, ignoring the people passing by, lost in their finding of one another.