Removing her hand from around his neck, which Torren was enjoying so much.
He hugged her around the waist, "Now you tell me, my beautiful lady, where are you going to get the place to put all that desert?"
Her laughs were seductive as she rested both hands once more around my neck, as though she read my mind.
Looking into her eyes, the tears were still there, but this time, I could see inexplicable happiness. How could she transform so quickly? Wanting to ask, but he didn't want to spoil the mood she had transformed into. Ignoring that thought, he quickly asked, "Are you seducing me?"
"Is it working?" Seeing how she was smiling up at him.
Torren's breath got stuck in his throat, wanting to know what was happening to him. Even the words that came out of his mouth sounded strange to his ear: "I can't say for sure, but what I can say is, you are very intoxicating."
Her chuckle broke the doubt and suspense in his heart, "And you, my friend, are very incorrigible. Now, let us go to the table. I am beginning to feel sorry for your feet."
Having no choice but to agree, "You are so right, tomorrow I will need to rest my foot."
Unable to believe his ears hearing how she was laughing, she reached up and kissed his cheeks, brushing her lips on his.
At the table, Torren saw Robin coming with the dessert. He noticed the cheque, reaching out to take it when Shawney's hand moved faster, covering it, "That's for me, I invited you all."
Observing how she reaches her hand to the back of her head and removes the clip from her hair as it falls.
Torren was so mesmerised by how beautiful the curls dropped over her shoulder. His thought went haywire, 'Recalling the few times they met at the clinic, and when she visited the hospital. Even when she came home to visit Dad that Sunday, her hair was tied in a bun or rolled.'
Without thinking twice, he reached out and took a tendril with his hand. saying, "Shawney, your hair is so beautiful, so why do you hide its beauty?"
Hearing his name being called, he feels as though he is in a trance, but looks towards his dad.
"Yes, Dad", only to realise that no one had called him and Shawney was collecting the change.
'Where did she get the money from?' Glancing in his dad's direction, he didn't look a bit worried.
'What just happened to me? Am I hearing voices again? But I felt so drawn towards her.'
Watching the way, she was enjoying her dessert, and Dad was sipping his coffee.
I nibble on my dessert, admiring how beautifully the grey in her eyes blends in with her golden tendrils.
As she speaks, her head shakes, and the curls swirl over her shoulder.
Closing his eyes, Torren thought, 'What is wrong with me? She is just a friend, and she is Dad's friend.'
Feeling someone touching his hand, he opened his eyes. Noticing how they both looked so concerned, Torren asked, smiling at them, "Is something the matter?"
"If you don't mind, I am going to the men's room," His dad said.
"Sure, Dad, I will keep Shawney safe until you return." Then the thought struck him, 'Is this one of Dad's plans?'
Recalling his dad's words, 'I was not expecting her to visit so early when I gave her the invitation, well, not yet anyhow?'
Then I think about when I was giving Dad the money to put in her purse.
'He was so right, if I had put the money in her purse, she would have been furious and even become offended; he seems to know how she thinks.'
Taking Torren's hand in hers, she gently stroked it, "Torren, are you feeling unwell? You can tell me, I don't mind, we could leave?"
Smilingly, he said, "Shawney, I am fine, I was just thinking," then shook his head, "Never mind me."
With her hand still holding his, she spoke, "Tell me, Torren, what were you going to say?"
With that in mind, Torren cleared his thoughts of any misconceptions, "Look, Shawney, I am so glad you met my Dad, and tonight was very special. I had a great time, but as you know, I am unwell, and at times I can be terrible company."
Shawney couldn't help but be concerned when she heard him admit his problem. Wondering why he was thinking so negatively about himself, "Torren, I understand you are unwell, and it is not you alone, so there is no need to worry. At times, even, I like to be alone to sulk, so why worry? Is it not you alone with an illness? Now forget all about that, you have made tonight a night to remember, and I thank you so very much."
Squeezing his hand gently, "Now, do you mind staying alone for a few minutes? I want to go to the ladies' room."
Speaking with confidence, Torren said with a broad smile, "Sure, you can go ahead, Dad will be back any minute."
Shawney had only taken two steps away from the table when the power went out, and the entire dining floor was in total darkness.
Torren could distinctly hear how loud Shawney was screaming and crying. Torren calls out to her. "Shawney, stand right there."
Hurrying to her, when she kept repeating, "Oh God, I am so scared, Torren, I am so scared of the darkness." Closing her eyes tightly.
Torren followed her voice as he made his way to her and held her in his embrace. He could feel her entire body trembling. "Shawney, relax, now take some deep breaths, just keep talking to me, and you will feel better."