"So, what do you think of Florida?" Kevin asked as they sped down A1A.
"What I've seen so far, it's really cool. I'm thinking of moving down here," Lori answered smiling at him.
Raising his eyebrows in surprise, he said, "Really? Moving in with Lesh?"
She nodded. "We've been talking about it for a while now. Now that I've been here, I'm more determined to make it home."
He laughed. "I know that feeling. Felt that way when I moved here from Kentucky." He glanced over and seen her looking out the window, watching the scenery pass by. He cleared his throat and said, "Lori, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure," she said turning towards him with a smile.
He smiled softly. "Last night..." he began and stopped.
"Yes?"
He cleared his throat again. "Last night...did it...I mean...was it...ummm..."
"Yes Kevin?" she asked, hiding a smile.
He blushed. "What did it mean for you?"
She smiled slightly. "What I told you. I want you to be a part of my life. But why you would really want to be is a completely different thought all together."
He looked at her sharply. "Why wouldn't I want to be a part of your life?"
"Because you are you. Beautiful...successful... And well, I'm me...just plain ole me."
"You are anything but plain, darlin'."
"Yeah. Kay. Anyway, you could have any girl in the world that you want. Why would you pick me?"
"I don't want any girl in the world, Lori. I've found everything that I've ever been looking for."
"You don't even know me Kevin," she said looking at him.
"I know enough," he said pulling his 4-Runner into a parking spot.
"I don't know you either," she said softly.
"Do you want to?"
"Yes, but when will we have time? You're leaving in a couple of days. And you'll be so busy you won't have time for me."
"Do you want to try? I mean with us? See what happens?" he asked her, his eyes pleading for her to say yes.
"Of course I do. I'm just a little scared. Unlike Alesha, my feelings and instincts are a little bit of a stranger to me."
He laughed. "Come on. I want to show you something," he said as he got out of the truck. He grabbed a cooler and a blanket out of the back, then came around and helped Lori out. He took her by the hand and led her down a hill and around a corner.
She gasped. "Oh my gawd, Kevin. It's beautiful," she said as she looked around her. Even though it was a public park, it was exotic. There was a pond of crystal clear blue water. Big trees canopied the lush green meadow around the water. The noise of the city around them seemed to disappear before it infiltrated the quiet and tranquility of the spot. Lori almost believed that she and Kevin were the only humans left.
"You like?" he asked softly. She nodded. He smiled and walked closer to the water. Laying the blanket down on the ground, he put the cooler down and sat next to it. Patting the empty spot next to him, he said, "I don't bite."
"Funny," she said sitting down next to him. He smiled and opened the cooler. He pulled out some sandwiches, some sodas, and some various other foods. Pulling a small radio out of his pocket, he turned it on. She laughed and asked, "When did you have time to do all of this?"
He shrugged. "This morning. Before Alesha busted me going back to the room."
She grinned. "You're incredible."
He leaned over and kissed her softly. They ate and talked about everything from growing up to their best friends, from jobs to life in general. Each passing moment, they grew closer and closer. They sat there talking and listening to the radio. The conversation began to wane and soon stopped. Lori was leaning against his chest, and Kevin was leaning against a tree. He began to sing softly to the song on the radio.
o~/Could I be with you alone/I'm not sure where this will go/Cause we don't have the time we need/Just enough to make us bleed/Cause I'll be leaving soon/It's hard to say when I'll return/And I don't want to lead you on/So if you feel the need/Close your eyes and share this dream/It will be eternity/Forever for tonite/I will be there to hold you through the night/Forever for tonite/I will love you for forever tonite/Forever for tonite/As I look into your eyes/Feelings much too strong for us not to try/And if by chance we lose this fight/Darling we still have tonite/So when I'm far away/I will always be with you/You will never be alone/So if you feel the need/Take my hand and share this night/It will be eternity/So I've been broken down by empty promised/Like a sky without a star/And I've been having doubts that I could feel again/But I believe that I'm in love/~o
"I could listen to you sing forever," Lori said softly as the song finished.
He chuckled quietly. "Could you now?"
She nodded. "I love your voice."
"Well, I'm certainly no AJ or Brian."
"AJ is loud and obnoxious. Brian is sweet and angelic. But you," she said turning around and kissing him. "You are sweet and sexy."
He blushed. "You're crazy." He looked down at his watch. "Damn! It's 4:00."
"Really?" Lori asked. "What time did we get here?"
"1:00," he said laughing.
"Wow," she said helping him gather the blanket and garbage.
They headed back to the truck. After they loaded the junk back in the 4-Runner, Kevin took her hand and led her to a bench. "Sit here for a sec. I'll be right back," he said kissing her quickly and sprinting across the street. When he came back he handed her a single long stem red rose and said, "C'mere." He led her over to a carriage and handed the guy a ticket. "After you Mi'Lady," Kevin said smiling down at her and helping her inside. He jumped up next to her. Putting his arm around her he whispered, "Now we get to see what makes this town special. Besides the fact that you're here."
The driver climbed up in his seat and drove them through the scenic parts of St. Augustine. Kevin pointed out and told Lori the basic history of some of the buildings and places that they passed.
After the carriage ride, Kevin took her to dinner at a small restaurant along the beach. Their table was outside on a deck overlooking the ocean. They decided to go for a walk along the beach when they finished eating.
They walked a bit in silence. Enjoying the evening and the other's company. Kevin looked down at Lori and smiled. "What are you thinking?"
She shrugged. "That I never want this day to end," she said moving closer to him.
He stopped walking and turned her around to face him. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. He laid his cheek on the top of her head and whispered, "Neither do I." She smiled up at him and he leaned in slowly to kiss her.
Suddenly someone crashed into them. "GOT IT!!" the person shouted.
"What the --" Kevin looked. "Nick?!? What are YOU doing here?"
"Kevin?!?" Nick blinked getting up and wiping sand off from his jeans. "DUDE!! Hey Lesh! It's Lori and Kevin," he shouted tossing the mini football to her.
Catching it while she ran up to them, Alesha grinned. "What are ya'll doing here?"
"I was just about to ask the same thing," Kevin grumbled.
Nick laughed. "This is too weird."
Kevin looked at him. "Of all the places in Florida, why here?"
Nick shrugged. "Sounded fun."
Kevin shook his head and looked at Lori. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
Alesha looked at him, her eyes narrowed a bit. She grabbed Nick by the arm and said, "Come on baby. Let's go to the arcade."
"No, we should hang out with them. Since we...RAN INTO them." He laughed at his own joke.
"Nick. Come on. It's obvious they don't want company," she said.
"Huh?" he asked looking from Alesha to Kevin and back.
Kevin sighed and looked at his watch. "We could all go to a movie if you wanted."
Alesha looked at Kevin funny. "If ya'll want to be alone, that's fine. I'm sure Nick and I can amuse ourselves. It's not like we're stalking you or anything."
Kevin smiled. "No. Let's go to a movie." He looked at Lori. "If that's okay with you."
She smiled. "Sure."
"You know where the theatre's at, right Frack?" Kevin asked.
Nick shook his head. Alesha laughed. "I do."
"Kay," Kevin said. "We'll meet you there."
