"Do you like them?" He was asking now as he took her hand in his. "I picked them out especially for you!"

"Oh, well that's nice Jimmy, but… Tiger Lilies, Dandelions, Tiger paws…"

He chucked softly. "That's Tiger claws, dear. Oh, I have a lot to teach you about flowers named after cats, don't I?"

Her eyebrows narrowed. "Flowers named after-."

"Cats." He repeated. "You do understand, don't you?"

She nodded absently, although she didn't have a clue what was going on. "Sure…"

His smile disappeared, followed by a look of worry. "Um, we'd better get going or we'll be late for our dinner reservation and-." He froze, looking her up and down. That could only mean one thing… he'd finally noticed her outfit.

"Oh God… what is it? What's wrong?"

He said nothing but instead continued to stare at her.

"Damn it! I knew I shouldn't have worn this dress! It's hideous! But to be perfectly honest, I really didn't' care what I looked-."

His hands were in hers and the stunned expression on his face faded into a smile, causing her heart to beat faster.

"Wh-why are you looking at me that way?"

"Annie…"

"Yes, I'm Annie. You know, Annie Spadaro? The woman you called out of the blue to tell me that I'd been audited? I don't even really know what that means except that I'm going to end up broke and-."

"I would never let that happen."

His seriousness made her laugh. "And why is that? You're the IRS! It's your job!"

"Correction, I was the IRS. Now I'm a star! And the reason you're not going to end up broke is because I'm going to take care of you! And the reason I'm going to take care of you is because I love you!"

His words, as insane as they were, caused her heart to still and then beat at record speed. "That's impossible, Jimmy! You barely know me! But if you do… love me like you say you do then tell me! Why are you staring at me?"

"You're stunning. That dress…. Your hair… your perfume… You're absolutely beautiful."

Amazingly her cheeks flushed and she couldn't understand how someone could say she was beautiful in what she was wearing.

"Jimmy that's crazy! This dress... It's hideous! Who wears turquoise and white stripes anymore? And this belt… it's so last year! I mean turquoise…"

"It brings out the color of your eyes."

"But my eyes aren't blue, they're.."

"Your eyes are like pools of diamonds and that dress is stunning. It shows off your dancer's body."

The words were completely sappy but her hand went to her heart as though they were the most romantic words ever spoken.

At her dizzy far-away look he offered her his hand and smiled. "Shall we?"

As they walked out of her apartment and headed for the elevator, she had no idea what was in store for her, but she knew that she couldn't wait to find out.