"Oh God, here comes my favorite part!" Caroline sighed, shoving a handful of popcorn into her mouth.
Annie tried to concentrate on the tiny television, where Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn were engaged in a passionate kiss.
"Isn't that the most romantic thing you've ever seen?" Caroline sighed, barely able to take her eyes off of the screen. But Annie was constantly checking her watch.
"Oh God, Annie. You can't even imagine…. Annie? Annie? ANNIE!"
Startled out of her thoughts, Annie looked up sharply. "Huh?"
"What is wrong with you?"
"Me? Oh… I just…"
"Are you late for something?"
Annie swallowed hard. "No, I…"
Caroline picked up the remote and paused the movie, glaring at her friend. "Come on Annie, out of with! What's going on?"
Annie rose from the sofa and feigned a smile. "Nothing's wrong. I just… I promised I'd call my ma."
"What? Now?"
"Um… yeah! You know she gets!"
"But you hate your mother!"
Annie's mouth fell open in mock horror. "I most certainly do not!" She lied "Whatever gave you that idea?"
"Oh, I don't know, maybe it's the six hours you sent over here last week crying g after the fight you had gotten into with your mother on the phone., you said, and I quote, I never want to speak to that b-."
"Beautiful woman." Annie said, cutting Caroline off. "That's what I said. Beautiful woman. And it was all a big mistake!"
"Mistake? Mistake?" Caroline yelled, pacing the floor. "Annie, she told you that she wished you'd never been born!"
Annie cringed at the hurtful memory, but she quickly pushed it away. "Look… I have to go, all right? I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? But Annie-."
Safely in the hallway, the door slammed behind her. She hated lying to her friend, but Caroline would never understand. Who goes out with their IRS agent, much less meets them for so many reasons after work? Well, Annie would, but that was before….
She swallowed hard and looked at her watch. There was no time to think about what was happening here. She had more important things to do, like get ready for her date. He would be arriving soon and her heart did a crazy flip in her chest, wondering what he would look like when she opened the door. He was bound to look different.
And miraculously she found herself smiling again. With any luck this evening would be magical and one she would never forget.