Chapter Four
The short ride to Taylors house was driven in silence, a sly smile on Taylors' face. Maiandra didn't dare look at Taylor. What had that been for? Hers had been playful, fake even. His was a whole differnt matter. He meant his. That changed things. She thought about the note she had been meaning to start. She thought it was going to have to wait now, and see how this evening was going to turn out. If it was lame, she'd write the note tonight, even.
Pulling up to Taylors' house, she parked on the street in front of it.
"I'll just run right in. Two seconds." He smiled the smile that had made Maiandra's heart melt in the beginning. Now it made her almost sad. She smiled and nodded, then turned on the radio as he closed the door. She wondered if he'd forgotten his wallet, I.D. or something. She flipped the mirror down and touched up her make up, and adding a little lip liner and mascara. She pulled a small bottle of rose scented lotion out of her glove compartment and slathered some on generously over her neck, chest and arms. Free dinner is a free dinner, right? Might as well look nice for it. Especially if this was the last one. She was going to ride it till the end, whatever happened. She glanced out the passenger window, and got a shock. Taylor was coming out already, with a fairly large box in his arms. He motioned with his head for her to pop the trunk. She did as he asked, then flipped her visor back up, and readjusted her cosmetics in her purse. Taylor opened the door and got in.
"Let's go to the falls." He said, and took her right hand. Maiandra smiled nervously, and nodded again.
"Sure. What's going on there?" She knew that the falls were private, and known as a "make out" spot for teens.
"Well, it's a suprise, and I can hardly wait, so would you mind speeding a little?" Maiandra looked over at him and laughed.
"Sure." She stepped on the accelerator, bringing up to a cruising fifty. Considering the speed limit was only 35, she glanced around for any cops. With no sign of them, she relaxed. "So what are you meeting about tonight?"
"We're going to meet up with a rep from the lable, and talk about our contract and our next album slash tour." Maiandra sighed.
"Sounds important."
"It is. It's going to be a really big deal for us. If we can get as many stops on the tour as we hope, we have a really good chance of staying with the label. Even though we signed for six records, there's always a trial period. Middle of Nowhere is doing great on the charts, and in sales. Hopefully we can keep that going."
Maiandra smiled. "That would be great for you guys." Taylor could hear the sadness creeping into her voice. "We're here." She undid her seatbelt, popped the trunk, and went around to help Taylor with the box. There was nothing special about it, just brown cardboard. What could he possibly have up his sleeve?
"Follow me. I know a really good spot." He kissed her cheek, and started down the trail. Walking through trees and over a small bridge, then through more trees, they came upon a lush grassy spot between the edge of the trees and the bank of the small river. More of a creek really, Maiandra thought, but she liked the place. It was quiet, so they could talk without being inturrupted.
Taylor set the box down, and opened it. He pulled out a blue blanket, shook it out and spread it over a patch of grass. He pulled out a wicker picnic basket and set it on top of the blanket. Maiandra stood and watched in suprise. Her eyes met Taylors when he looked up as he pulled out a single pink rose. He smiled, and set it on the basket. Maiandra lowered herself to the blanket. She was speechless, and moved. Taylor continued to pull things out of the box like it was a magic hat. Candles, wine glasses with sparkling apple juice, plates, napkins. Finally the box was empty, so Taylor set it aside, and sat down beside Maiandra.
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