Chapter Seven

The events of earlier this evening were hard to erase from her mind. No matter how hard she tried, they stuck with her. Sure, it was mere chance and accident that their lips had met in the murky darkness on the floor, but Theresa loved the idea of his lips on hers. When she thought about this, she knew that it was wrong considering that he was madly in love with Julie. Julie is a sweet girl, Theresa thought. As she was planted on her bed, Theresa flashed back to earlier after their lips had touched, lingered, and then departed.

"Are you two alive down there?" Clarissa's voice echoed in the distance.

After the two had "unknowingly" departed, Fox climbed out from underneath and shortly after, Theresa followed. He was staring at Theresa, somewhat mystified. When her eyes had met his, Fox hurriedly held up her ring as if not wanting to get caught.

"Here – here you go. I found it," he stuttered as his eyes looked everywhere but to her face.

"Thanks."

Fox really didn't know what to think. Of course, he had felt her lips touch his. He wondered if she had done it purposely. But as he looked at her, his eyes could not be taken off her lips. When she looked at him or glanced in his direction, he looked away; embarrassed. His lips tingled when he thought of the events that occurred just seconds before. He licked them to stop the sensation as he pulled himself into his seat. Theresa sat down seconds after.

A few minutes later, Theresa leaned over and whispered, "Thank you so much for helping me find my ring."

Fox looked over at her nervously and replied, "No problem." And those were the last words he spoke for the rest of the movie. In all honesty, in the back of his mind, Fox was scared. He was scared of what the feeling was in the pit of his stomach and was scared of what Julie might think. Julie. She means everything in the world to me, Fox thought as his many thoughts drifted to his girlfriends face.

After the movie was over and the end credits rolled, Theresa sat in her seat and pondered the events even further. Fox, gaining confidence, spoke to her, wanting to ask her about the kiss. The words he wanted to say were laid out perfectly in his head. However, as he attempted to spill them out, they would not form in his mouth. Finally, after small attempt, he changed his train of thought.

"Ok. Theresa, I hope that you've worked up an appetite because we're going out to eat. Are you ready?"

Theresa, unable to swallow the lump in her throat, simply nodded in agreement as she rose to her feet. She followed him to the end of the aisle where he stepped aside, and placed his hand on her back, letting her lead the way. His head pounded with a headache and he felt as if he wouldn't be able to function. He brushed it aside, however, as he followed both Theresa and Clarissa. Theresa, unable to speak, was glad when Clarissa spoke up, breaking the silence.

"So, Mr. Crane, where are you taking us?" She looked back at him until he caught up with them and stood beside her.

"The restaurant is called The Waterside Inn. Not only does it have the best food that I've ever tasted, but it's got tables set up by the water. I hope you like it," explained Fox, looking mostly at Clarissa. But as he spoke those last words, he leaned his body forward and his stare lingered on Theresa.

She simply smiled and continued walking, her heels clicking the sidewalk as she went. Her eyes looked over Fox's body from behind as he stepped close to the curb to call a taxi. The clean and spotless yellow cab came to a stop next to the curb. Fox pulled at the handle and held it open. He let Clarissa climb in first followed by Theresa. Letting go of the door, he very slowly slid himself in beside Theresa. When the door had been closed and the car moved onward, Theresa looked down at Fox's thigh which was pressed up against her leg. It made her tingle and she could feel his warmth. She wanted to ask him to move because she noticed that there was room on his other side, but he simply ignored her as he chattered endlessly about the fashion show with Clarissa. Theresa chimed in now and again, but as the conversation died down a bit, Fox turned his attention to Theresa.

"Are you ready for the big day tomorrow?" asked Fox.

"As ready as I'll ever be" responded Theresa, nervously.

Clarissa was talking very quickly in the background, but Fox failed to hear her as he stared at Theresa's lips.

"Mr. Crane?" asked Clarissa.

"Hmm?"

"So, will you help me with that job tomorrow?"

Fox continued to stare at Theresa when he responded, "How can I say no. I've been hired to help you, so help you I shall." He flashed a smile at Theresa as he sexy glance finally left her. The cab door opened and all three headed into the Waterside Inn.

"May I help you?" Asked the usher who stood in front of the three.

"Yes, I have a reservation for three."

"And your name?"

"Crane."

"Come this way," smiled the usher as he gathered their menus and led the way. Their small journey ended at a small table beside the water which sparkled in the moonlight. Candles and lamps were placed all around the many seats and tables.

Theresa couldn't help but stare in awe as she touched Fox's arm excitedly and said, "Oh this is so beautiful! Fox, I love it! I mean – Mr. Crane. Don't you, Clarissa?"

"It is gorgeous. I can't believe that I've never heard of this place before."

The threesome engaged in many conversations such as the fashion show, to Fox's work, and too many other random things. After eating, Clarissa excused herself from the table and made her way to an old friend whom she had spotted when they had entered the enchanting restaurant. There was a small silence and Theresa chuckled, not really knowing what to say. Fox laughed and then broke the silence.

"I've been thinking about this since the day I met you, and I was just wondering where you were before New York? I've read so many great reviews about you in all my old magazines, and I've learned that you've only been in New York for a few years. Your last name sounded so familiar to me…" said Fox quickly with intense curiosity.

"I was wondering when you would ask me that," replied Theresa, "I know your father and you grandfather. They grew up around my mother. And, well, they didn't approve of our family much, but Mama was very grateful to Julian because he helped her through some rough times. Anyhow. Your mother – Ivy Crane – helped me get to where I am today. She's my mama's best friend."

"Wow. A little fashion designer in the making right under my nose and I never even knew it," said Fox, smiling.

"Well, it's not like you could help it. You were always away at school, right?" smiled Theresa.

Fox didn't answer her question as he thought about why she smelled so familiar and why he could have swore he had met her before. And then, a memory floated through his mind. He flashed back to the summer when he was 17 years old and had just returned from school after getting booted.

Fox entered into the large and ever elegant Crane Mansion which sat upon the top of Raven Hill. As he stepped over the threshold and took in the sights of his old home, he saw the large, winding stair case that stretched up in front of him. To the left was the entrance to the living room and inside, he noticed his mother standing with a young woman. Ivy was designing a dress, as usual, and in that dress was a beautiful woman with shining brown hair. His mom was busy trimming, pinning, and just working with pure concentration.

"Mother!" said Fox rather loudly, wanting to get her attention.

Ivy looked up with surprise. When the image of her son entered her brain, she rushed from the young woman's side, meeting Fox half-way, and said, "Fox! Oh, how I've missed you." She drew him into a tight hug, wanting nothing more than to scoop him up as she'd done when she was younger.

After the emotional reunion, Ivy began lecturing him about getting booted from his second school this year. Before she had finished her lecture, he had remembered that there was a woman in the room earlier, and he frantically searched for her, but, to his surprise, she was already missing.

Theresa.. He thought as he remembered the flashback.

"Fox? Are you okay?" asked Theresa, noticing that Fox had gone into staring mode and wasn't saying a thing.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. I was thinking…Hey, Theresa. I remember you."

"You do? What do you mean?"

"From the summer when I was booted from boarding school that second time. You were – you were in the mansion and Mother was fitting a dress for you…"

"Oh, yes! I remember that like it was yesterday. I still cannot erase the memory of when Ivy received that letter from your school informing her that her second son would indeed be coming home soon. Oh, she was so angry," Theresa chuckled cutely as she recalled the events in her head.

Fox watched her, taking in her giddy smiles and laughs. He couldn't help but love the fact that she came from his hometown of Harmony. He felt content.

"So – you mother was Pilar? She was like a mother to me as well. She always watched out for me when I was younger – babysitting and such. Man, could that woman cook."

"Yes," Theresa smiled, "That's Mama."

"Can you cook like that?" asked Fox.

"Oh, you bet I can, buster," replied Theresa, feeling that she could simply be herself and nothing more. With Clarissa meeting up with old friends, Fox and Theresa talked endlessly for two hours until Clarissa finally returned. They talked about their families, their lives when they were growing up, their dreams, their favorite movies and television shows, and even what they liked to do in their spare time. When they rose to leave around 8 or so, they were still talking as they walked out together side by side. And they were talking still in the cab as they drove to Theresa's apartment. When the car reached its stop, they all climbed out. Clarissa thanked Fox for the evening and hurriedly walked into the building, wanting to reach her bed.

"Fox, thank you so much for this evening. It was wonderful! I think we are so prepared for the show tomorrow. Are you ready? Are you scared? Because I sure am."

"You're welcome, Theresa. I'm sure that you will do just fine. With all your amazing skills. What time should I meet you there?" asked Fox.

"Well, set-up begins around 6. So anytime from 6-8 o'clock would be great."

"Ok, see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams," replied Fox, sincerely.

"Night."

Fox watched Theresa's figure as she slowly entered into her apartment building. He watched until he couldn't see her anymore and then sleepily spilled his address to the cab driver. Fox, who slumped in his seat, rubbed his face and eyes, trying to keep himself awake. When he reached his apartment, Julie was there, already asleep in his bed. Fox walked to the bathroom where he undressed himself and put on his favorite sweatpants. He brushed his teeth and then washed his face before he climbed into bed next to his fiancé. He kissed her forehead and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.