She let him get away with it the first time. A little flirting wouldn't kill anybody and it was less embarrassing then telling a complete stranger she was taken. But the second time he really was trying hard to make an impression, turn her head, flirt back with equal exuberance. He pulled her aside as she walked out of the busy event room heading after the fundraiser to a quiet empty stairwell."Great fundraiser today for the rock."
"Thanks, Summer," he was toying anxiously with his sleeves on his white button down shirt and looking at the floor.
"So what's up?"
He cleared his throat before answering.
"I was just wondering if you would like to go to dinner with me at the new French restaurant."
"Oh. Oh. Listen Steve, I don't want you to feel bad, you seem like a very nice guy but I'm already very taken. I should've said something earlier but figured it would be easier to not tell more people than already knew about my relationship. Although, really it's so hard not to just shout it to everyone around. He's amazing. Truly amazing. And what we have together. "She reached her hand in her navy long sleeve shirt pulling out the long silver chain necklace. Something on it caught in the light, bringing Steve's attention to the piece. The ring was beautiful, rubies encrusting the sides and up around the medium size diamond in the center of the ring .
"This will be here," she said pointing to her left ring finger, "as soon as I tell our parents and anytime Sasha and I are together in private. We may not know each other for long but we know each other and love each other deeper than anyone else. So for now this stays here when I'm out," she tucked the long chain silver back into her shirt, "and this," she held up her right hand wiggling her ring finger showing off a small silver band , "stays here as a promise of the day I can wear the other ring everywhere. I'm sorry, Steve."
Just then her phone rang in her pocket, the quiet notes of we found love echoing throughout the stairwell. She smiled wide, eyes' lighting up, knowing who was calling just by the ringtone.
"I have to take this. See you around the gym . And good luck with your future rock fundraisers."
Yeah, see you at the gym." They politely shook hands; Summer pressed the green answer button bringing the phone up to her ear, waving over her shoulder to Steve as she walked down the stairs and out the door to the parking lot and into her car.
"Hey babe. How's the fundraiser?"
"I miss you."
"I miss you more but seriously, how was the fundraiser sorry I could not make it?"
"It was great we raised money for the new gym addition. Have you been? Next fundraiser we will work together I miss you having you here."
"I would love that. We can plan it soon."
"So how was your day? I saw a few pictures of the event online. You look stunning, as always baby."
"Thanks, Sasha. It went alright. Apparently I was too quiet in saying the bingo numbers some people were pretty upset but other than that great. You'll love this. Steve asked me out to dinner." She listened to him gasp and then start to chuckle as she changed the call to the Bluetooth in her car and pulled out of the lot.
"And you said?"
"I was 'taken' by someone I love very much. And I may have shown him both of the rings." she paused taking a breath but hearing silence from Sasha end decided to continue. "I really shouldn't have. He probably already felt bad enough asking me out only to be told I was taken but then I had to get all braggy and show him the engagement ring around my neck and the promise ring on my right finger. I really shouldn't have done that. Poor guy…Steve and I dated once but you are a much better man and I am happily engaged too "
She heard Sasha loud laugh from the other side and she couldn't help but laugh with him.
"I love you, Summer."
"I love you too, Sasha. I will see you soon"