The Date

This was written for a contest. The original paragraph was given to us, the only other instructions were to keep it very short.

Marienne didn't know how she had let herself be talked into going out on a blind date. It was insane. But somehow she had let her friend Carrie convince her. Now as she answered the knock on her door, she couldn't believe the man standing there.

Marienne smoothed her bright, tropical skirt over her hips as she smiled nervously at her new neighbor, Alex Fraser. His answering smile was bright, his gaze admiring. She couldn't imagine how Carrie had set this up. Sure she had introduced her friend to him over a pile of dirty socks and towels in the laundry room the week before, but she hadn't realized that Carrie had gotten his number.

"I hope you don't mind..." He started.

"How did you..." She interrupted and then stopped, embarrassed, before rushing on. "Not that it matters, never mind. I hope you like the dress, it's not too bright is it? I don't know what you have planned for the afternoon, but I was thinking maybe the carnival would be fun. You know they set it up on that empty lot on 5th street every year. I think that's a great place to get to know someone, so if you didn't have any plans, maybe we could go there," She stammered to a stop, blushing deeply as she realized she was babbling.

His light brown eyes were warm as they swept over her slim figure, taking in the colorful, tropical print, the long tanned legs, and then back up to the flushed cheeks, eyes bright with excitement. She tucked a stray, blonde curl behind her ear, biting her full bottom lip.

"Well, I had not really thought about how to spend the afternoon, but a carnival sounds like fun. Did you want to leave right now?"

He leaned against the doorjamb, smiling down into her turquoise eyes. His arms crossed over his broad chest, he looked perfectly at ease lounging in her doorway, a slight breeze stirring his sandy hair.

"I'm all set, if you are. Let me just get my keys," Marienne said, reaching for her keys and purse.

The afternoon was splendid. Marienne surprised Alex by winning a huge teddy bear in the ring toss. She watched him warily when she won, half expecting signs of bruised ego. He just laughed and stopped at the next booth, one selling T Shirts. It was her turn to laugh when he showed her what he had gotten, a shirt for the bear with the words, "Everyone Needs a Little Tender Loving Bear", imprinted across the chest.

The sun was warm, but a cool breeze kept them comfortable as they rode all of the rides, the bear propped between them. They ate caramel apples, licked cotton candy off of each other's fingers and laughed and talked until the sun began to slip low on the horizon.

As the sun was setting, Alex led her to the Ferris Wheel, handing the ticket taker a dozen tickets. They settled back in the seat, watching the lights springing to life below them as the sky darkened. The music of the carnival faded into the background as Marienne snuggled against Alex. The cool breeze was making itself felt as the sun disappeared below the horizon, and she smiled as his arms wrapped around her, pulling her close.

She tilted her head up towards him, about to speak when she caught his eye. Something in his gaze brought a blush to her cheeks, and she licked her lips. His eyes dropped to her mouth, and his eyes darkened in the soft evening light. Dipping his head, his lips brushed hers softly. She sighed against his lips, and he lifted his head to smile into her eyes. The second kiss was no less gentle, but sent a warm wave through her, dispelling the slight chill from the evening air. Her lips moved slowly against his as he lightly stroked her back. The gentleness of the kiss touched her heart, and as he broke off the kiss she touched his cheek with trembling fingers.

They kissed again at her door, lingering with small touches and whispered words. He unlocked her door, tucking the bear into her arms.

"Sleep with him in your arms, I'll envy him," He insisted when she tried to give the bear back.

She blushed and rose on tiptoe to kiss him one last time.

Leaning her back against her door after he left, she noticed a light blinking on her answering machine. Hugging her bear to her chest, she pushed the button.

"Marienne, where are you?" Carrie's voice sounded impatient, "Why didn't you meet Bob, he waited at your place for over half an hour!"

Marienne started in shock, then collapsed into her favorite armchair laughing as she realized she had gone out with the wrong man. Reviewing her meeting with Alex, she realized he had never mentioned Carrie. She had asked Alex out! Curling her feet under her, she nuzzled the large teddy bear wearing the silly shirt. Tomorrow she would have to call Carrie to apologize and to tell her that she would have to find someone else for Bob.