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Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 7 Tim and John continued to play chaperone as the group walked toward the West End Stage. They kept their distance but their eyes watched the two couples mindfully. Kevin had his arm draped over Kristy’s shoulder sheltering her against his body. Being in such close proximity had their senses on overload. Their conversation was quiet. The only sound being the occasional giggle from Kristy. Meanwhile, Howie refused to release his soft grip on Cheryl’s hand. Several times John noticed his younger brother whisper into her ear and saw her face light up in response. "Why do I feel like I’m one of the only adults at a high school dance?" John asked. "Just remember they owe us one now. After all, they stole our women." "Yeah, like we ever had a chance," he grumbled. As they approached their destination, Cheryl could hear an unmistakable salsa beat and started to drag Howie toward it. "What’s the rush?" he asked her. "Marc Anthony. Come on." The others laughed as Howie shrugged his shoulders and almost voluntarily followed. Not that he didn’t want to dance with Cheryl again, but he didn’t have much chance either way with their hands still locked together. Once they had found a dancing space, Howie was hypnotized as he watched her shake her hips to the Latin beat for a few measures. Placing a hand on either hip, he pulled her closer to him. If it’s true don’t leave meAll alone out here Wondering if you’re going to take me there…. ‘Good God,’ he thought as he listened to her sing the words. Howie could feel his pulse beginning to race. My every thought Is of this being true It’s getting harder Not to think of you Girl I’m exactly Where I want to be The only thing’s I need you here with me "My God, John, do you think you could control your brother?" Tim chastised jokingly. "He’s practically doing the Lambada out there." "Mhmmm. And what do you call that?" John retorted with a smile as he pointed toward Kristy and Kevin, who were dancing even closer than Howie and Cheryl. "Uh, well, they’ve know each other longer," Tim stammered. "I thought so," John smirked. Kevin didn’t know how much longer he could wait to kiss Kristy. He seriously wanted to send Tim back to Kentucky in his own suitcase for interrupting before. Although he had only had the black opal, he felt completely intoxicated. It was Kristy’s presence, he was sure. ‘What is going on with me?’ He glanced at his watch. ‘15 minutes. Can I wait 15 minutes?’ Across the plaza, his friend was having similar thoughts. Howie, though, was almost thankful now that John had interrupted his intimate moment back at 8Trax. He couldn’t deny that he wanted to feel Cheryl’s lips on his but wanted even more for their first kiss to be special. ‘Get a grip, Dorough,’ he chided himself. ‘Midnight. At least wait until then.’ When the final countdown commenced, the group was reunited. Kristy and Cheryl glanced at one another, recognizing both the glow on their faces and the twinkle in their eyes as signs of utter happiness. Who would have though that they would ever meet their dream men? This was Disney, but Kristy wasn’t Aurora and Cheryl wasn’t Ariel. In their eyes, though, Howie and Kevin were Prince Charming – everything their hearts desired. ‘Oh good Lord, I sound like Jiminey Cricket,’ thought Cheryl. Her reverie was broken as she felt Howie gently squeeze her hand in anticipation. Kevin stood behind Kristy and wrapped his arms around her waist. "10-9-8…" The crowd seemed so far away to him. "7-6-5…" ‘Dammit, count faster. Come on.’ "4-3-2…" Kristy turned her head to smile at him. "1- HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Kevin turned Kristy toward him, titled her face upward and drew their lips together. The kiss was slow and sensuous. Kristy was grateful that Kevin held her so tightly. She wasn’t certain she could stand on her own. A few feet away, Howie and Cheryl shared their first kiss. His lips were so soft and the kiss so sweet that she could no longer resist the temptation and ran her fingers through his dark curls. Between her fingers, the strands felt like the finest silk. John and Tim surveyed the crowd. Nearly all the people had paired off and were enjoying their own version of the New Year’s Eve kiss. Finding no available women, the two looked at one another for a moment. "No way," said John definitively. "Uh-uh." Tim shook his head. The two couples heard the exchange and laughed. Kristy and Cheryl glanced at one another then casually walked up to their respective Cupid. "Thanks, John," Cheryl leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the mouth. Kristy giggled as she saw Tim pout. "Thank you, too, Tim." She kissed him quickly but Tim moved to allow the kiss to linger. "Okay, okay, that’s enough. Break it up." "What’s wrong, Kev?" Tim asked innocently. Kevin pulled Kristy back into his embrace and chuckled. "She doesn’t know you like I do." Next: Chapter 8 |