Page 63 of Dirty News
Lila
“It’s been a whole year since Duke and I started seeing each other, Nina. Can you believe that?” I was shocked how quickly the time hadpassed.
“Is today some kind of an anniversary for you guys?” She pulled her shades down to look over them at me as we sat outside a little bistro near the news station. The weather was nice and warm, so we were trying to soak up a bit of Vitamin D as we atelunch.
“Today is the anniversary of our first kiss. It was in a cab, and it was what started it all for us. All it took was one kiss to let us know we had something we had to explore further.” I had to stop and sigh as I recalled that fateful kiss. The heat I’d felt back then radiated once more throughout my body. I had to wave my hand in front of my face to help me cool back down. “That was one hot kiss, I tell you what. Just the memory can still get me all hot andbothered.”
Nina laughed as she put her half-eaten turkey on rye back on the plate. “Well, you’ll have to take that up with Duke after work. No hanky-panky at work youknow.”
“I know, Nina. Not to worry. Duke and I are just so glad we get to have a relationship; we’d never do anything to get ourselves fired. Not so much as a held hand or a single kiss has been done while at work.” I took a bite of my BLT, savoring the smoky taste of thebacon.
The sound of a deep male voice came from behind me, “I thought I’d find you here,Lila.”
I turned around to find Duke coming up behind me. “You guessed right. It’s such a nice day; we had to eat outdoors. And just what are you looking for mefor?”
“I’m here to steal you away. I’ve already gotten us both off for the rest of the day; others will take over our later newscasts. You and I are free! I’m taking you home to change, and then I’m taking you out for a nice dinner.” He took a seat at the table with us. “So, don’t get too full on lunch,baby.”
“And what prompted all of this?” I asked him as I used the napkin to wipe my mouth. I guess I’d be taking the rest of my meal home, so I wouldn’t spoil my appetite forlater.
He leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose. “Don’t you remember what today is,baby?”
He hadn’t said a word this morning about it being the anniversary of our first kiss. I hadn’t either. I wanted to see if he remembered, and it seemed hehad.
I smiled as I answered him, “Would this be the date, one year ago today, that we had our first kiss,Duke?”
His fingers trailed along my jaw as he gazed into my eyes. “It would be that date. And I’m going to make our first anniversary a special one. One I hope you’ll neverforget.”
Now I was getting excited. “Wow. So, where are you takingme?”
“It’s a surprise. Tonight will be full of them,” hepromised.
And he wasn’t kidding either. When we got home, I found that he’d had a little black dress and heels delivered to the apartment. After one steamy hot shower together, we got ready to go todinner.
Duke had made reservations at Le Bernardin, thoroughly surprising me. I loved seafood, and this prestigious restaurant put a French spin on each masterpiece the chef prepared. To top it all off, we had a private dining area just forus.
“This is one gorgeous place, Duke. I can’t believe you’ve brought me here. This meal is going to cost you a small fortune.” I couldn’t quit looking around at all the grandeur. It captivatedme.
“It’s all going to be worth it,” he said. Duke paused as he took my hand in his, holding it on the tabletop, “Ihope.”
I looked at our clasped hands on the white linen tablecloth. “Youhope?”
He nodded but didn’t say anything else. He was being so tight-lipped, and it had me wondering what he was up to. I knew he’d been wanting to find a house and get out of the apartment; maybe that’s what he had up his sleeve. Perhaps he wanted to surprise me with a newhome?
Whatever his surprise was, I was being patient about hearing about it. The delicious food helped. Served beautifully, I had the crab legs accompanied by a wonderful soup. Duke had the salmon with caviar. Both meals were decadent and bursting withflavor.
For dessert, Duke had ordered a candied apple to share. “Care to cut it into two pieces, Lila?” he asked as he handed me aknife.
“Sure, I can do that.” I took the knife and split the apple down the middle. Strangely, it had a hollow spot right in the middle—and something fell out of theapple.
I gulped as I saw the big diamond solitaire glistening on the little plate. My heart began to pound. Then Duke picked the ring up. “Well, would you look at this? How’d that get in there?” He took a towelette to clean it before getting down on oneknee.
I turned in my seat, my hands covering my mouth as I tried hard not to cry. But it was so unexpected that I was having difficulty with that task. I blinked back my tears because I wanted to see his face ask me a question I had notanticipated.
“Lila Samantha Banks, I’ve loved you for only one year, but it seems like a lifetime. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Would you consider becoming my wife, so we could make our dreams come true?” He pulled my left hand away from my mouth, holdingit.
I nodded as words stuck in my throat. But I managed to spit the answer out, “Yes!”
Duke
