Part 3
When Sarah got home, she found a note from Becca. 'Gone to Miami for the week. Sorry I missed you. Will call soon. BTW, your ex called and wants you to call him.' Sarah balled the note up and threw it in the trash. Becca was always taking off for Miami for one reason or another related to the church. Oh, well, so much for going out tonight. And Russell, what the hell does he want? We HAVE got to change our phone number so he can't find us. Thank goodness he doesn't know where Becca lives.
*******************
Howie was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs that night. Every time someone new would come up the steps, he practically climbed the walls. His friends saw it but figured he was just nervous about the premiere of a new act at his club. They had no idea that he had met *her* and was looking for her to show up.
As the night progressed and it became obvious that Sarah wasn't going to show up, Howie's mood changed drastically. This time, Kevin, being the only one sober in the group other than Howie noticed.
"'D', what's going on with you? You've been nervous all night and now you're depressed?"
"Kevin, I met *HER* today and she was suppose to come here tonight."
"Her? Who do you mean?"
"The girl in my dreams. Man! I went to pick Aaron up for Nick and there she was. God, Kevin! She's so much better than the dream too!! I touched her hand and she was wearing the dress and oh, god! I thought for sure I was going to cum all over myself."
Kevin laughed, "You sound like some of our fans, 'D'! Was she THAT good?"
"Better! Kevin, she had NO idea who I was! Aaron said that she doesn't listen to anything other than country or 80's stuff except when she's at the youth center and then she doesn't really comment on it. I gave her the card for this place and told her to give it to Raoul. I also left instructions with Raoul that if she showed up, he was to personally escort her up here."
"Looks like she isn't interested."
"Or something came up! She has a roommate but she said her roomie was busy tonight. Maybe she didn't want to come alone."
"Maybe. What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know. I have to see her again though."
"Well, you know where she works. Why don't you show up there and surprise her?"
"That's an idea. I can find out from Aaron what her schedule is."
"I'm glad for you, bro. Just be careful and don't get hurt. I mean, you've been dreaming about her for what, a month now. It could be a HUGE disappointment finally meeting her."
"But I have met her."
"You haven't gotten to know her yet though. Howie. Just be careful. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
**************************
That weekend had to be the longest one Howie had ever had to endure. All he could think about was Sarah and what he was going to do to convince her that she HAD to go out with him. He talked to Aaron on Saturday and he told Howie that Sarah was always there by 7 AM to open up and that she had been teaching swimming lessons in the morning. The center didn't open until 9 though so that meant she would be alone for a couple hours.
Monday morning, Howie was up before the sun and ready to go. He went to an all-night florist to buy her a bouquet of flowers but what kind to buy? He didn't want to buy her roses just yet because he didn't want to scare her off but what kind of flowers would she like. In his dreams, he had always given her a single red rose. Okay, I'll get her some wildflowers, he thought as he looked through all the different arrangements. After getting those, he went back out to his car and set them on the seat next to the purple bear he had made for the Lupus foundation. He had hoped she would like stuffed animals and this one was particularly close to his heart.
Howie pulled into the youth center parking lot and saw that it was empty. He'd have to wait so he parked the purple corvette at the end of the lot. Gee, he thought, I'm not exactly inconspicuous here. I hope she doesn't think I'm pushy.
At seven sharp, Sarah pulled into the parking lot and parked her car. She had noticed the purple corvette sitting at the end of the parking lot but she didn't give it much thought. People were always parking in the center's lot and leaving it there. It was a safe place to leave a car. As she got out, she missed seeing him get out too. She walked to the front door and started fumbling for the keys. When she found them, she immediately dropped them. As she bent to pick them up, her hand met his and she looked up into those beautiful brown eyes again.
"Uhhhh....good morning," she stuttered.
"Good morning. I didn't startle you, did I?"
"Not exactly," she said as she stood up with him. She looked at the flowers and the teddy bear in his hands and blushed. "Are you looking for anyone in particular?"
"You. You didn't come to the club Friday night."
"I, uh...I didn't want to go alone. My roomie is out of town for the week."
"Sorry about that. I bought you these flowers and this teddy bear. Would you care to go have some breakfast with me?"
Sarah was blown away by the quickness of the invitation. "I don't know. We hardly know each other."
"I'm sorry. I thought we could get to know each other over a cup of coffee or something. There's a Dunkin' Donuts across the street. We could go there if it would make you feel more comfortable."
Sarah eyed the shop across the street. A public place right across the street from where she worked. That would be safe. "Okay. Let me go put these in some water."
Howie followed her into the center and to her office. He watched her walk and the way she moved. God, she was so much better than his dreams. She seemed quiet and shy. Then he spotted the wedding band. 'Damn...she's married.'
Sarah turned to him and said, "I'm ready to go. I don't have much time before I need to open the place up."
Hesitantly, he said, "Uh...okay. I..." looking at his watch, he said, "I don't have much time either. I forgot I have something to do this morning."
Sarah noticed the change in his demeanor and wondered what she had done. Then she realized that she was still wearing her wedding band. 'Damn...he thinks I'm married. Oh, he is so sweet. I'll have to make sure the conversation goes towards the fact that I'm separated.'
The two left the center and walked over to the Dunkin' Donuts shop where Howie ordered them coffee and donuts. They sat in a corner that was out of the way. That's when someone recognized him and asked him for an autograph. He graciously gave the little girl her autograph and sat down with Sarah.
"So, you're obviously someone famous," she said.
"Uh...sorta. Have you ever heard of the Backstreet Boys?"
"I've heard of them from the kids at the center."
"Well, I'm one of the five guys in that group. I'm Howie Dorough."
Sarah was embarrassed because she didn't know who he was. "I feel like a fool."
"No, don't! Aaron said you listened to country music and that's cool. It's kind of nice to meet a girl who doesn't know who I am."
"Well, I knew your name, your first name at least but I didn't know what you looked like or anything."
"So, what's your full name?"
"For now, Sarah Fullwood."
"What do you mean, for now? Are you engaged or something?"
"Or something. I'm in the middle of a divorce."
The two sat and talked for two hours about themselves, getting to know each other. Sarah told him about her marriage and how she had caught Russell fooling around on her and how he had slapped her for accusing him of cheating on her. She also told him that she had left the FIRST time he had hit her and ever since, he had been begging her to come back. Howie told her about the group, his family, and the club.
Before Sarah realized it, there were kids hanging around outside the center waiting for her to open the doors. She looked up and saw them "Oh wow! Time got away from me. I need to go open up."
Howie looked at the kids waiting outside. "Looks like you're as popular as our group."
Sarah laughed, "I guess so."
"Mind if I walk you back?"
"No, as long as you don't mind getting mobbed by the girls. I know they all like the Backstreet Boys."
"I don't mind as long as I get to walk a pretty lady to work."
Sarah blushed. "Thank you."
The two got up and Howie paid the bill against Sarah's protests. Then the two walked back across the street where Sarah, not Howie, was mobbed by the kids. Howie loved it. The kids adored her and she obviously adored them.
As she opened the door and the kids rushed in, Sarah turned back to Howie. "Thanks for breakfast."
"My pleasure. Can I see you again?"
"I'd like that."
One little girl was standing by Sarah's side and tugged at her shirt. Sarah bent down and asked, "Yes, Emily."
Emily whispered, "Do you know who he is?"
Sarah smiled up at Howie, "Yeah, I do. That's Howie Dorough."
"Did you know he was in the Backstreet Boys?"
Howie was smiling as he watched Sarah smile at him and answer Emily. "Yes, I know. He told me this morning."
Emily giggled, "He's my favorite!"
Sarah said, "Well, why don't you say 'hello' to him?'
Emily turned to Howie who knelt down to the little girl's level and he said, "Good morning, Emily."
"Hi! Can I get a hug?"
Howie took the little girl in his arms and hugged her tight. "How's that?"
Emily blushed and said, "Thanks" as she ran inside.
Howie stood up with Sarah and she said, "You just made her day."
Emily came back and tugged at Sarah's shirt again. Sarah bent back down and Emily asked so that Howie couldn't hear, "Is he your boyfriend?"
Sarah looked at Howie who shrugged to say he hadn't heard. "Well, Emily, I'll tell you. I JUST met Howie Friday for a few minutes when he came to pick up Aaron so no, he's not my boyfriend."
Howie added, "Yet."
Emily giggled again and ran back inside. Sarah stood up and looked down at the ground. "It was nice talking to you this morning."
"I enjoyed it too."
Suddenly feeling awkward, Sarah stammered, "Well...I...uh....I should go inside."
As Sarah started to turn to go in, Howie took her hand and stopped her. He leaned to her and gave her a small kiss on the lips. "I'll see you later," he said softly.
As he walked off, Sarah watched him and said to herself, 'I certainly hope so.'