Shoe Strings

him.”
    Lita’s hands flew to her hips.   “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve
ever heard.   The man wants you,
Kerri Ann.   People deserve to be
with the person they want.”   She
held up a finger when Kerri Ann tried to interject.   “And you want him too.   You can’t deny what’s written all over
your face.”
    Kerri Ann opened the bathroom door and went into her office
to look out the window for Bryce’s car.   When she didn’t see it, she turned around and leaned on the
windowsill.   “You don’t always get
what you want.   Didn’t anyone ever
tell you that?”
    Lita walked over to stand in front of Kerri Ann and placed a
consolatory hand on her shoulder.   “I think both you and Bryce will find exactly what you want
tonight.”   She looked over her
shoulder and smiled.   “He’s here.”
    ***
    Bryce winced when he reached for the screen door of the
Pizza Den and saw his hand tremble.   The familiar sights, sounds, and smells of the interior helped to calm
his nerves.   Maybe she wouldn’t be
ready and he could have a quick beer at the bar to settle him.   He nodded to Patty Holloway as she
waited on a table of college-age kids and was about to sit on one of the stools
when Lita emerged from the kitchen’s swinging door.
    “What are you doing here?” he asked.
    “Just dropping off a little something for Kerri Ann.”   She moved out from behind the bar and
jerked her thumb upstairs.   “She’ll
be down in a minute.”
    “Great.”   He
settled onto the stool and contemplated ordering a drink.  
    “Do you have a tie to go with your suit?”
    Bryce stood up and pulled his tie out of his coat pocket.   “I didn’t know if it’d be too formal.”
    “Wear it.   Kerri
Ann looks fabulous and she’ll appreciate the formality.”
    He lifted his collar and began looping the tie into a knot
when he heard a low whistle.   When
he looked up he saw Frank, standing at the beer tap, the summer special brew
spilling over the lip of the already full mug.   His eyes followed Frank’s to see Kerri
Ann, frozen and blushing in the kitchen doorway.  
    Holy mother of God.   She looked more beautiful than he’d ever thought possible.   Her hair was different, sexy like, and
she’d done something with her makeup so her eyes glittered like emeralds.   And the dress.   There wasn’t an ounce of cleavage with
the high straight neckline, but her strong shoulders glistened in the low light
and the way the fabric gathered at her waist made her seem impossibly thin and
curvy.  
    “I’ve never seen you in a dress, boss,” Frank said.   “You look real pretty.”
    It was just the thing he should have said, but had been too
floored to speak.   He needed to say
something soon because she was looking at him now and waiting.   “Pretty doesn’t even come close, Kerri
Ann.   You take my breath away.”
    The blush that rose beneath her dress, up her bare neck, and
to her cheeks made him want to gather her in his arms and never let go.  
    “Thanks.”   She
walked slowly out from behind the bar.   “You look nice too.”
    He couldn’t take his eyes off her.   It was like he was seeing her for the
first time, this familiar stranger.  
    “Do you want to have a drink before we go?” she asked when
he stood staring at her.
    “Huh…um, no.   I
mean, yes, I’d like a drink, but I thought we’d have one in Asheville.   If that’s okay?”   Away from the prying eyes of everyone in
Sequoyah Falls.   He didn’t want to
share her with anyone tonight.
    “Okay.   I’ll just
get my purse.”   She leaned over the
bar on her tiptoes and stretched her hand under the counter.   The slit in the back of her dress rose
high on her thigh as she lifted a leg.   It was a wonder he didn’t drool.   “Frank,” she said.   “You’ve
got my cell number.   If anything
goes wrong with trivia or anything else, just call me.”
    “Nothing to worry about, boss.   You go on out and have a good time.”
    As Bryce steered her through the restaurant, he heard Lita
tell Frank the only reason to call Kerri Ann would be if there was blood shed
or gunfire.   He nearly laughed.   It was just what Frank needed to hear so
they weren’t interrupted every five minutes.
    He opened the car door for Kerri Ann and when she’d settled,
she looked up at him and smiled.   Just like that, as if someone had taken the blinders from his eyes, his
nerves were gone.   He closed her
door