Lisa smiled as she leaned down to smell the roses. What is this all about? What's he up to? she thought knowing that they were from Howie. Who else would they be from? She put them on the corner of her desk so she could have room to work. Quite honestly she could've cared less what Howie was up to... she knew it couldn't be anything bad. Just as she was about to start her work for the day, her phone rang.
"So, what's new?" It was Howie. Lisa laughed. "You ask me what's new, huh? Well, let's see, I got some roses from a 'not-so-secret admirer.' Know anything about that?" Howie chuckled a bit too. "Well, as a matter of fact, I do. So you coming over then at 6? I promise you won't regret it," he said, knowing that she would accept his invitation.
"Yes, Howard, I'd be honored to join you this evening. Six o'clock is fine," Lisa said. "I'll see you then."
"Until tonight, doll," Howie said, as he hung up the phone. Lisa smiled as she began her tasks for the day.
"So you just got to work and there were these roses on your desk?" Laura asked Lisa. She couldn't be happier for her sister. Lisa said yes, and Kevin chimed in, for he was on the phone in the other room. "See, Lisa, I told you he'd come around. I'm sure he didn't even know he cared so much for you, but both Laura and I could see it in his face. Especially since you both bonded while Laura was in the hospital." Laura spoke up. "I agree with Kevin. I'm sure that he wants to make a committment to you, and I'm sure that's what he's got planned. You'll see I'm right," she said, as she and Kevin said goodbye to Lisa, for she had to get back to work.
Kevin and Laura met up in the hallway and walked to the living room. "I really hope I'm right about Lisa and Howie," she said, as Kevin turned on the television and sat down next to her. He kissed her softly, putting his arm around her. "I'm sure you are, beautiful. I'm sure he's ready to commit to her, too. And I think it's great. They make such a great couple, don't you think?" Kevin asked, pulling Laura closer to him as they began to watch a movie. "Yeah, I do. I think it would be really great if they could be a couple soon, especially since they're going to be in the wedding." The wedding... I can't wait, Kevin thought with a smile, and he kissed Laura as the movie started.
Six o'clock arrived before Howie knew it. And, as promised, Lisa arrived at 6 PM sharp. Howie opened the door and let Lisa in, smiling at her. She looks so gorgeous, he thought as they sat down in his living room.
"So, you gonna tell me why I was surprised with such beautiful flowers today? And from a not-so-secret admirer, nonetheless," Lisa added, jokingly. Howie smiled as he took her hand in his.
"Yes, I'll tell you." Howie stopped, searching out for the right words. He had rehearsed what he wanted to say to Lisa all day, and thought that he had found the right words. But now sitting face to face with her, he was at a loss for words as he looked into her bright blue eyes and her smiling face. Finally Howie pulled himself together and spoke.
"Lisa, since we've been seeing each other, my life has changed so much, and for the better. I can say for myself that the past few weeks have been the best I've had in a long time. It's been a long time since I've felt so much for someone," Howie paused for a few seconds and continued, "like I do for you."
"Oh, Howie, I feel the same way," Lisa said, smiling as she felt her eyes water. Howie felt his eyes tear up a bit too. He struggled to hold his tears back as he finished.
"You don't know how happy that makes me to hear you say that," Howie said, and hesitated a bit before continuing. Not because he was unsure of what to say, but because he was so nervous about saying it. "I--I love you, Lisa."
Lisa was stunned. Howie wants a committment, huh? I'd say! she thought as she smiled at him, unable to speak for a few seconds. Howie was getting worried by her silence. "Lisa, doll? Say something," he urged. Lisa's face softened as she spoke.
"Howie, I have to say that I'm a bit surprised to hear you say that, but happy to hear it as well. Honestly, I've wanted to say it to you for a long time now. Well, ever since you were there for me when my sister was in her coma. I could never repay you for what that meant to me," Lisa said, as she began to cry as she recalled almost losing Laura. Howie put his arms around her, knowing that even though Laura was OK now, Lisa still had a hard time dealing with almost losing her sister. "See, there you go again," Lisa said, smiling through her tears. "I don't know how I would have made it through without you by my side, Howie. I--" Lisa paused, but it was a short pause. She knew that what she was feeling for him was real, and had to speak her heart. "I love you too." Howie and Lisa kissed as they embraced each other in their new-found love.
A few hours had passed. Laura and Kevin were still watching movies when the phone rang. Kevin got up and answered it. Laura went and picked up on another line, hoping it was Lisa.
"Hey guys, how's the wedding plans?" It was AJ. He and Nick had arrived back from visiting Whitney and Patti. "They are going wonderfully! How were your vacations?" Laura asked with a smile in her voice. Nick spoke up. "Great! I had a great time!" AJ shared his sentiments about his own vacation. "Yeah, the four of us even got together a couple nights and went out together. It was a fun time, that's for sure," he said. Laura was happy for both of them. "You guys are such great guys, and it's nice to see that y'all have gotten close to a couple of my friends." Kevin agreed. "Yeah, and you guys aren't the only ones who are basking in the glow of new love," he said with a laugh.
"What's that mean?" AJ asked curiously. Nick voiced his curiosity as well. So Laura and Kevin told them about Howie and Lisa, and that Lisa was over at his place right now as they spoke. "Wow, that's great! I thought ever since they got close while you were in the hospital that they would make such a great couple. I'm glad it's finally happening for them, and that you two's wedding plans are taking shape, as well as Brian's and Leighanne's. And of course, Nick and I are just enamored with Patti and Whit. It seems like things are really starting to come together in 'The World of Backstreet,'" AJ finished with a chuckle. Everyone else laughed too. AJ was the one that started referring to their lives as The World of Backstreet, mainly because he, and everyone else, often thought that their lives often seemed like that of a soap opera. "Well, it's getting late, and I'm zonked, and I know AJ is too, so we'll get goin' now," Nick said, yawning. "Heh heh, got worn out, eh?" Laura asked, joking with him. "Yeah, something like that," he said, obviously embarrassed a bit. Kevin smiled to himself as he could almost hear in Nick's voice that he was blushing. "Heh heh, well we'll let ya go then," Kevin said, as everyone said goodbye and hung up the phone.
Laura made her way back to the living room. Kevin just shook his head, smiling, as he looked at her approaching him. "What?!?" she asked, as she sat back down by him.
"You're terrible," Kevin said, kissing her softly. "Why do you have to embarrass everyone like that?" he asked, smiling in amusement.
"Like what? Just because I read people well makes me 'terrible?' I just call 'em as I see 'em!" Laura said, defending herself. "Uh-huh. OK. Whatever you say," Kevin said, rolling his eyes as he kissed her again.
Laura smiled sexily. "Why don't we call it a night?" she asked, motioning for them to head to the bedroom. Kevin smiled and watched her get up and walk smoothly across the room. She turned and winked at him before heading down the hallway. Kevin promptly got up and followed her. Damn, she's a tease, he thought with a smile on his face, as he closed the bedroom door behind him...
Goin' for a smoke... take me to the first page...
Drop Laura an email...
