Hi folks! The site is still down so I'm still writing. I've got a lot to post! Yikes! Well I'd like to own IaHB but i don't. So my loss. Lol. Please review!





Lost Love

Chapter 3

Don't Make the Same Mistake





"I'll have the chicken caesar salad, please." Caitie handed the waiter her menu and set her gaze on Jamie.

"Well I see your tastes have refined." The candle light reflected in his dark eyes, adding a shimmering that made them even more captivating.

"From hamburgers and cheap expressos? I guess so."

"So...." Jamie stumbled for a conversation. Caitie had something on her mind. She wondered. Why had Jamie never written her back? Had he been so angry that he severed all ties. She had been devastated when he never wrote back. That's when she finally gave up and went to Austin. But she had to know.

"Why didn't you write me back?" Jamie's head snapped up from the wine menu.

"What?"

"You never wrote me back. I wrote you a least a dozen letters and you never wrote back. I kind of wondered what happened."

"I never got any letters." Jamie's expression was earnest. He wanted Caitie to believe him. He'd never gotten one letter. He wanted to wipe that suspicious look of her face.

"No. I sent you letters, explaining what I'd been thinking and feeling. I sent them to your apartment and-."

Jamie cut her off. "My apartment? Right after you graduated I went back to living with my parents. That's why I never got them. I wish I had."

Tears were flooding her eyes. "I wish you had too. Then things wouldn't be this way. But I guess...Well it's too late now." She tried to smile.

"So what were you feeling?"

"Huh?"

"The letters said what you were feeling and thinking. So what were you thinking?"

"I was scared. I told you that. I wanted to be with you so much that I wanted it to work. I didn't think you'd never speak to me again."

"I tried to.." Jamie said, his voice a little loud. He took a deep breath and quieted his tone. "I tried to but every time I called your house, your parents said you didn't want to talk to me."

"They didn't!" Caitie cried. Then her face flushed pink. "Well they'd found out about my sneaking out at night to go see you." Caitie stared in amazement. Jamie was blushing a little too.

"Oh." Was all he could say.

"I guess there isn't any point in dwelling in the past, right?" She said as soon as the waiter had walked away after delivering their dinner.

"No." Jamie stared at his food. He was nervous. This could be another big mistake. But it was a chance he was willing to take.

"So how is working for your family's business?" Caitie was desperate for conversation.

"It's all right. I'd rather be doing something different with my life but a high school drop out doesn't have many job offers."

"I guess not. But hey, look at me! I stuck it out and I'm a bar tender and a receptionist. And here you are with a big software company."

"It's not worth it when it isn't something you enjoy."

"And you think I enjoy serving people booze and answering phones?"

"Doesn't sound like it."

And Caitie laughed.

Both returned their attention back to the food. Caitie looked up.

"So what do you think of my kids?"

"Their great! I never knew little kids could actually be fun. I thought they were crying, whining diaper machines until age five." Caitie laughed again and shook her head.

"Kids will change your perspective on just about everything."

"I can only imagine. It must be tough being a single parent. Does what's-his-face pay child support?"

Caitie snorted. "Ha. Hardly. Austin is too busy buying mansions and jet skis. So obviously there just isn't enough to go around."

"That's a shame. He doesn't even want to be involved in their lives?" Jamie couldn't believe anyone couldn't love Devin and Lydia. Caitie solemnly shook her head.

"No. But they really do need a father." It was hard to think her children were doing without.

"Let me know when you start taking applications." Jamie said softly, so softly Caitie strained to hear him. Her heart skipped a beat. Exactly what was he saying? She was about to ask but he looked like he was going to start speaking again. Jamie opened his mouth, paused, and closed it.

"Here's the check." The waiter dropped off the small burgundy holder and walked away.

"Do you need some cash?" Caitie dug around for her wallet. Jamie set his hand on her arm.

"No. I got it."

Caitie smiled. "Thanks."

The two left the restaurant and walked toward the car. Caitie turned abruptly, her eyes sparkling.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" She asked. Jamie nodded. A walk. Perfect.

In peacefully silence, the two headed across the street into the overgrown, somewhat wild park that was in desperate need of a make over. The couple stepped down a wooded path with the stars open and bright above them , an awe-inspiring canopy that made them feel small. And despite the fact that they were walking side by side, only a foot apart, they felt connected.

"Caitie, I knew we were going to be together since day one."

"Like soul mates." She smiled. Her thoughts exactly. Caitie looked ahead to a little clearing that was coming up. Her favorite fountain was in it. Two little fairies held a giant flower that spouted water down into a huge basin. It was beautiful at night.

"Yes something like that. I still believe it too." Where was he going with this? Jamie reached inside his pocket for the soft velvet box, the one that had been waiting since graduation night.

"So do I." Caitie answered. Jamie stopped in the clearing. Caitie looked up into those mysterious eyes, trying to read what he was thinking.

"Honestly?"

"Of course." She whispered. And Jamie bent down and their lips connected. It was like fireworks. She'd been waiting so long, longing to be in his arms again, to taste him again. And now she was. As the kiss deepened, Caitie knew she had to stop. Before she got carried away and hurt herself.

She backed away. "I better not." Jamie nodded. It was now or never.

"What would you say if I asked you to marry me?"

Caitie stared. Her heart did a somersault and she found her self gasping for air. She opened her mouth to reply, closed it and tried again. She started at the velvet box, mesmerized by it.

Softly, she answered. "I'd say I'd have to be crazy to make the same mistake twice."

**The end! So what do you think? I think you all can figure what Jamie is doing..and if you can't that's scary. Ehhhehehe.**