Chapter Two    "Hey Kel, whatd'ya think" Kat asked as she stepped into Kel's room to get her approval on her outfit.   Kat had on a black pant suit. The jacket was sleevless, and tailored to her shape. Her long hair was swept up into a french twist, with soft strands curled around her face. Matching shoes and earings completed the look.    "Wow! Look at you. Howie is sure to drool!" Kel said. Kat laughed and said, "You look really good too!" Kel had on a pair of red tailored pants and a sleevless lightweight sweater. They grabbed their purses and headed out to Kel's car.   When they pulled into Matt's driveway Kat groaned. "I can't do this Kel. I don't know what to say to him, I'm so nervous I think I'm gonna be ill."   "Oh no you don't Katherine Marie Warner. You just take a deep breath, put on that gorgeous smile and get out of this car right now" Kel said. Following Kel's instructions Kat took a deep breath, put on her smile and got out of the car.   They rang the doorbell and Matt answered. "Kat, Kel Oh my God! Look at you two" he said as he dragged them both into a hug. They exchanged pleasentries as he showed them into the living room. "There's a bar set up over in the corner and the basement and patio are full of people. Have fun" he said as the doorbell rang again, and he danced his way across the room to the beat of the music.   "Let's get something to drink and then we'll see who all is here" Kel said as they made their way to the corner. "What'll it be ladies?" the bartender asked. "I'll have a glass of white wine" Kel requested. "Do you have iced tea?" Kat asked. The bartender nodded his head and served up the drinks.   They walked around the living room, talking to people they had gone to school with when Kat looked up and saw Howie coming through the door. She grabbed Kelley's arm and squeezed. "Oh my God" she whispered, as Howie made his way over towards them. He was even better looking in person than all the pictures she had seen. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he had on a pair of black jeans and a cream colored short sleeved cashmere sweater with a black leather jacket slung over his shoulder. Kel fiercely whispered, "Let go of my arm, you're killing it!" Kat dropped her hand and gave Kel a sheepish look.     "Kat, Katherine Warner?" Kat turned and starred up into Howie's sensual dark eyes. "Howie" she managed to croak. Kelley quickly stepped into the crowd leaving them alone. "Kelley said you were coming. How are you?" he asked as he pulled her into a hug. Kat smiled and let herself get lost in the feel of his arms around her. Only in her dreams had this ever happened. "I'm fine, how about yourself?" she asked as she pulled back to look into his face. "Great, things have gone really well for me."    They continued to chat for a few minutes as the house became more crowded. "Its getting stuffy in here, how about we go outside for some fresh air?" he suggested. Kat nodded and Howie led the way out onto the patio. Surprisingly, the patio was empty. "Where are you living now?" he asked. "In Cincinnati, Ohio. I'm an accountant at a large company."   The song changed from a fast one to a slow one and Howie held out his hand, "May I have this dance?" Kat took his hand and he led her to an open space on the patio. He pulled her close and she rested her head on his shoulder. "You know, I was really hoping you'd come this weekend. I was hoping to get to do this" he said as he lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was gentle and sweet, but filled with a hot passion that neither of them could deny. Howie pulled back and stared down at her. Kat stood within his embrace, eyes closed, trying to figure out if this was just part of her nightly dreams. As if he could read her mind, he whispered, "This isn't a dream." Kat's eyes flew open and Howie smiled.    They continued to sway to the music, oblivious to those that had come out on the patio. When the music stopped Howie asked, "Why don't we get out of here and go someplace and talk. We have alot of catching up to do." Kat nodded her head and said, "Let me find Kel and let her know." She disappeared inside the house and quickly told Kel what was going on. "You have the extra key to my house right?" she asked. "Yep." Kel smiled and said, "Have fun, I'll see you when I see you. Oh and don't do anything I wouldn't do!" "That leaves me with lots of possibilities doesn't it?" Kat asked with a smirk. Kel laughed and watched as Kat and Howie went out the door. "Where would you like to go?" Howie asked as they pulled out onto the street. "I don't know, whatever you have in mind is fine with me" she answered. Howie drove them back to his house and let them in. He gave her a quick tour and then asked, "Can I get you something to drink?" "Iced tea sounds good." "Coming right up" he said and he went to get it.   While he was gone, Kat looked around the living room. He had pictures of his family and friends all over the place. "Here you go" he said as he came up behind her with her glass of tea. "Thanks" she said as she took it from him.Howie sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to him. Kat took the invitation and walked over and sat down.   They talked about their memories of high school. "Remember that afternoon at drama practice that Joel's joke backfired?" Howie asked. "Oh don't remind me. I could've killed him for that. We had to cancel practice for two days to let the auditorium air out!" she said with a groan. Howie laughed and they continued to talk about friends, teachers and the general happenings of Edgewater High.   At mid-night Howie drove Kat back to Kel's. He walked her to the door and pulled her to him. His lips met hers brushing softly across them. He pulled back and whispered, "I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams."   "Good night Howie" she whispered and turned to enter the house. Chapter Three          Back to Index           Back to Home