When John looked at Lara, he saw the hopeful brown eyes of the woman he’d taken to a school dance years ago. He wanted to learn everything about her. Every possible thing.
John Winters stood in the flower shop with his hands in the pockets of his overcoat, a thousand butterflies swirling in his gut. He hadn’t felt this nervous since he was a kid in high-school getting ready to ask the most beautiful girl in his class to the Homecoming Dance. Back then, it felt like his whole life was riding on the answer to that question. Maybe he was nervous tonight because it felt the same way. Or maybe it was because he was meeting the same girl.
“There you go, sir. Two dozen red roses. Must be a special lady!” the young man who was working at the flower shop said with a smile.
John took the bouquet and admired the deep red color of the roses. It was a color that reminded him of Lara. She loved roses, and she loved the color red.
“She sure is.”
He paid for the flowers and hurried outside into the fading light of evening. With a glance at his watch, he knew he would be a few minutes late for dinner. He slid his hand into the pocket of his coat as he walked to his car. His fingers brushed the soft velvet box that was hidden there. Yes, he would be late. He hoped she wouldn’t be angry—that she would understand the significance of the gift he brought and would think it worth the wait.
***
When he arrived at Angelina’s Restaurant, Lara was already there waiting for him. She sat at the same table they’d shared so many years ago before the Homecoming Dance. Tonight, although older, he thought she looked every bit as beautiful. Her age was visible in the silver flecks that shined in her hair, and her eyes looked tired and softer somehow. But the appearance of age gave her an air of dignity and grace that she hadn’t possessed as a girl.
John’s heart swelled in his chest. She was ravishing. He only wished he knew her better—that they weren’t strangers to each other. What were her hopes and her dreams? What could he say that would make her laugh? He intended to find out. He wanted to learn everything about her. Every possible thing.
“Good evening,” he greeted as he approached the table. Her dress matched the vibrant color of the roses that he offered her. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
“They’re beautiful,” she said softly, the corners of her mouth lifting in a becoming smile.
“So are you,” John told her, returning her smile. As if unwilling to meet his eyes, she hid behind dark lashes and did not look up at him. He wondered if she was angry for his lateness after all, or if she was just shy.
He took off his coat and slid into the seat across from her.
“I mean it, Lara. You’re a vision.”
This time she did look up, and he saw the hopeful brown eyes of the woman he’d taken to a school dance years ago.
***
They made small talk over dinner and a bottle of red wine. They discussed the weather, and mutual acquaintances.
John’s heart sank as the evening wore on. They truly were strangers. The thought ate him up inside. He remembered when they could talk and laugh like the best of friends. What had gone wrong? Why had they drifted apart?
“Lara,” he said suddenly, reaching for his coat.
She looked up at him with surprise in her eyes. No doubt she was wondering what brought on such a serious tone.
“Yes?”
“I have something for you. It’s the reason I was late. It took me a long time to find it. I wanted it to be perfect.”
He retrieved the red velvet box from the pocket of his coat and presented it to her.
“What is it?” she asked, taking the box.
“Open it. You’ll see.”
John held his breath while she opened the velvet box and looked inside. For a moment, she was silent. Then, her hand moved to her throat and tears sparkled in her eyes.
“John, I love it!” she told him with a youthful laugh. “Help me put it on!”
She held out her hand and waited as John slid onto her finger the plastic ring he’d purchased for a quarter at the grocery store.
“Remember when I gave you a ring like this after high school?” he asked.
“Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, I plan to spend, my whole life with you,” she reminisced. “A promise ring. It meant we would always be together.”
“Well, this is a promise ring, too. But the promise is different this time. It’s the promise of a new beginning.”
The tears in Lara’s eyes slipped silently over her lashes and down her cheeks. She reached toward John and he wove his fingers around hers. Their eyes met, and the hope he had seen in hers grew warmer and brighter.
“A new beginning, and a wonderful future together,” she ventured.
Edward Rutherford is prepared to do just about anything to escape an arranged marriage to a woman he despises. But his brilliant plan to feign insanity has some rather unwanted consequences...
John Winters stood in the flower shop with his hands in the pockets of his overcoat, a thousand butterflies swirling in his gut. He hadn’t felt this nervous since he was a kid in high-school getting ready to ask the most beautiful girl in his class to the Homecoming Dance. Back then, it felt like his whole life was riding on the answer to that question. Maybe he was nervous tonight because it felt the same way. Or maybe it was because he was meeting the same girl.
