Alisa is getting ready for work. It is a day like many others. Trying to find something to wear in a wardrobe that needed updating, badly. Finally she decides on her Pastel blue Summer dress, after all , it is officially  summer today. She takes a look in the mirror just to check out how she looks. Suddenly, with no apparent reason there is a flash, whether in her mirror - or in her mind, of Alex. A warm breeze comes in the open sliding glass door moving the curtains in a way that seems to sing his name. She has thought of him so many times recently, it was starting to play on her nerves. With every day's  passing, they were more and more intense “.Memories..they can drive you insane,” She thinks to herself. With that thought she picks up her purse and heads out the door.
     Managing the restaurant , isn’t a hard job she thinks. It certainly did keep her going. Getting her through days that ,sometimes, were endless. Her personal life was surely what anyone would call boring.
Since she and Damian had split, she had no interest in men. her soul seemed empty somehow. She has friends, her roommate Krissy is her best friend. Krissy has the insatiable lust for life, which Alisa envied sometimes. But it is her caring heart that make them best friends, and atleast she wasn’t completely alone.
     Alisa locks the door to the restaurant, and heads to her car. She loves her car, a red mustang, a convertible. But it ‘s raining, so she has to keep the top up.  On the highway, a song comes on  the radio, “great, just what I need this song of all songs,  I need this tonight. Bad enough , I can’t get him out of my mind, now they have to play this song.” But it is a beautiful song so she listens. Her mind starts to wander to beautiful days on the beach, splashing , laughing, racing. She still sees the image of his face in her mind. She shakes her  head “no, not again.. I can’t do this to myself anymore.”
     Concentrating on the road. Alisa notices a car beside her on the highway. It’s a white VW Bug. She  thinks to her self “herbie the love bug”. She giggles to herself . Then in an instant, she sees the driver. “ALEX!”  But the car moves ahead  of her. She  makes a decision in the flash of a second. 'It’s got to be him., No.. that’s ridiculous. He’s probably in town now, with summer break. No..it’s got to be my mind playing tricks again. I’ve got to know for sure.. I’ll follow him, and see..' Alisa follows him for a few miles .He turns at a place she would never expect. “We’re no where near his mother’s house. This can’t be him. I’m losing my mind. I’m being silly. I’ll turn around and just go home.” She turns right, after the VW, but makes a U-turn instead . Heading back home, she hits herself in the head with the palm of her hand. “Stupid, stupid, stupid. following a strange man in a strange car. What is the matter with you, Alisa.” As her turn off comes , she gets in the left lane to take the left turnlane. She slows down, there are bright lights  in her rear view mirror., that get her attention. As she makes her turn she glances at the passing car that was behind her. It’s that Vwbug , again.
 
 

     A few days pass, and with everyday  comes memories and thoughts of Alex. She knows he must be in town. Why else would she feel his presence so strongly. She goes to old haunts they used to frequent, but  she doesn’t see any sign of him. She even calls his mother, but hangs up before saying anything. “She wouldn’t tell me anything anyway, she doesn’t think I’m good for Alex.” So she dresses for work, yet again. Wishing she had more time to search. She wants to see him so badly. Tell him things he needs to know. She needs him in her life. Let him know about her feeling, how they have changed, in the absence of him. With a sigh, she goes to work, thinking she may never see him again. That for the rest of his life he would never know, that she loves him.
     The restaurant is busy. It’s Friday night. The bar section is packed. There’s a band playing. Music illuminates the place. Alisa busies herself with tasks at hand. She is grateful, even for a few hours to be in control, of something in her life. Walking down the hallway between the bar and the restaurant, she hears a knock on one of the windows from the bar. 'Oh, great it’s going to be one of those nights again.' She thinks back to, the nights guys would knock on the windows and flirt and smile and try to get her attention. It bored her. The last thing she wants in her life is, yet, another  bar fly.
    So she ignores it without even looking. A few minutes later she takes a walk back down the same hall, again the knock on the window. This time very loud and determined. Without a thought, she glances at the window. There  in a perfect frame of tiffany glass is Alex’s face, smiling. Alisa stops dead in her tracks. She swears her heart skips a beat. She motions him to come out . She goes to the door of the bar. In an instant Alex is there.
      “Hi, stranger.” He says with a smile that melts her soul. “HI.” Alisa says. She can’t believe he’s standing in front of her. For the first time in her life she is at a loss for words. “So, how have  you been?” Alex says trying very hard not to look in her eyes. “Fine....good really. I've got a new job.” answering him, without really answering him. “I noticed, when did you start working here?” Alex says trying  to make simple conversation.  “ A few months ago. I like it, the people are really great.” They move away from the door and into the foyer. They can’t even look at each other, but they NEED to look at each other.
     “That’s great..... how’s Damian?” Alex asks, even though he really doesn't want to know. He thinks back to the last conversation they had had, when Damian had proposed. Alisa had asked him not to interfere, because Damian was jealous of him, and their friendship. 'Jealous of me, he's the one living with the woman I love.' He hadn't seen her since that night. “Um.. fine... I guess. I haven’t seen him in awhile.......We broke up .” She stands there looking at him. She hadn’t realized how handsome he was. He has grown so much. His body is muscled and tan.  His hair so blonde and his eyes...oh, God his eyes are so blue. She’s thinking to herself, how could I have let him leave my life?
     “Oh, I’m Sorry? Or ....not?” Alex says with an inquisitive expression on his face. He’s not sure if he should be happy about it or not.   But He was still her friend, if nothing else he would be a friend to her for life. All he wanted for her really, was to be happy.
     “Not... it wasn’t meant to be. I finally saw that.” Alisa says, fiddling with her hair. She is having trouble making polite conversation in public. ‘tell him, tell him’ she thinks to herself. “Well, I’m just glad you’re doing okay. I’ve thought about you alot. I miss talking to you.” Alex says, trying not to act like he had just been handed 3 wishes from a Genie. “I miss that too, I get off work soon. Want to go somewhere? ”She says crossing her fingers behind her back. “Um, I would like that ....but I can’t I’m with some people...”
    “Oh, that’s okay maybe another time then.” she said with a sigh. She can’t believe that this is all she gets of him. “ Yea, another time.” Alex says with a smile trying to make her see he wants to, but just can’t.  “Would you like my phone number?” She says hoping and hoping. “Yea, sure. I would. I’ll call you soon, and we can go out somewhere and get coffee or something.” She writes down her number on a napkin and hands it to him. Their hands touch for just a brief second. The fire travels through her as if someone had burned her with a match. She looks at him, and wondered if he could feel it too. “K” she says., Trying not to act disappointed. He turns and goes down the hall and back into the bar.
      Alisa finishes her shift. She hadn’t seen him again the rest of the evening. ‘Thank goodness, I don’t have to close this place tonight. I  can’t stand being out here, while he’s in there.’ She gets her purse and starts to walk down the hall. It takes all of her willpower not to look in the windows. She can be patient. She can wait until he calls. If he calls, oh, no what if he doesn’t call? Just before she hits the door to go out side. The bar door opens. Alex is standing there, “Um, Hi, do you have plans tonight?” She stops and looks at him. “No why?” “Well, I talked to my buddies, and they said they would take a taxi home. So I thought....if you would like.....we could get that coffee now.”?
     “Sure,.... I’d like that.” Alisa says, not letting him see that he had just made her the happiest woman in the world. “Great, How about Denny’s, they make a mean cup of coffee.” Alex says .  “I remember.”  Alisa says  smiling ,as he opens the door.
 

      As Alisa follows his car to Dennys , she is amazed to see he’s driving a Vwbug. ‘It was his car the other night on the highway.’ she thinks. ‘I wonder if he knows it was me following him that night.’  As she pulls into the parking lot she wonders what she should say to him. ‘ Best to see what he has to say first.’
       She gets out of her car and meets him at the door. Alex looks at her, he wonders what he’s going to say after all this time. Where he should start. So much is different now. He wonders if she can sense the changes in him . She could always  read his thoughts before. He wonders if she still could. He  wondered if he should go through this again. His heart was broken so badly before, he didn’t know if he could take it again. He looks  in her eyes as he opens the door. There is something new there, something he hadn’t seen before. It was something shining,
he knew he had to find out what it is.
     They sat in a booth , in the corner by the window. It was hot and Humid outside, even with the night air. Inside the air-conditioning was on and Alisa got a chill as she sat down.  “I’d forgotten how easily you get cold.” Alex says to her as he sits across from her. “ I guess living in Florida, my blood has thinned out, to the point of anything under 76, and I freeze!” They order coffee. Nothing fancy, just coffee. They just keep looking at each other, trying to find a way to start. ‘ God I missed looking at your face.’ thought Alisa.
     “It’s so good to see you." she says. She wonders if he'd counted the days like she had. Alex smiles, “It seems like forever, how long has it been......8 months?”  ‘8 months, 2 weeks and 3 days’ He thinks to himself. “I know so much has happened in such a short period of time.” Alisa says trying not to be vague, but not knowing how to say it. “I know what you mean.” Alex says . The waitress brings more coffee, they both go to get sugar and their hands met. It feels so warm. So calming. They can finally take a deep breath. They look at each other, ”Go ahead.” Alex says, giving her the sugar. “thanks” she says.
      “So what's new, you said alot of things  have changed.” Alex starts. “Oh, somethings.... Damian and I split a few months ago. I found out he was cheating on me with one of  his co-workers.” She said matter-of-factly. “You’re kidding. What a jerk.....oh, sorry” he didn't mean to say it, it just came out. “No you’re were right..a jerk. But  it really didn’t bother me that much. We were growing so far apart anyway. I think I finally realized, when I found out, that I was never in love with him. But was  only with him because he loved me. .” “Wow,  that’s kind of phyco-anylitical of you.”
“Ha Ha very funny...I’m serious!” His humor surprised her, she'd forgotten that part of him. “I’m sorry. Just kidding. So he left you or visa-versa?” trying to make the conversation easier.  “ I left him, sort of ,I mean the house is mine, so he moved out. I kept the couch!”  she smiles remembering. “Cool,  I always liked that couch.” Alex says trying to make light of the topic, he didn’t know how much this hurt her to talk about. If nothing else he could always make her laugh. “ Yea, me too, comfy.Alex, You should know you slept on it enough.”  “Yea, and I have the bad posture to prove it.” They laugh. Alisa looks at him. Thinking  'don’t worry no more couches for you.' “You have such a  sense of humor, you little stinker, you always could make me laugh.” “Well, we do what we can, my lady” Alex stands and bows to her as if she were royalty. “ Stop that sit down, everyone’s looking at us.” Alisa says as she turns beet red. “They’re looking at you. You look great!!” Alex says sitting again.
He can’t believe how beautiful she looks. She’s tanned, Her hair is like spun gold, longer than he remembers. Her eyes have a sparkle he can’t remember seeing before. ‘God, how she lights up my life’ He thinks to himself.
     “What do you say we blow this pop stand and go to the point?” Alisa says with a smile. She loves the point .  She wants so badly to be alone with him. She has so much to say. This isn’t the place for it. Alex looks at her, never seeming to get enough of the view. “ I can’t. I have to get home. Work tomorrow. It’s almost 2am now.” “Oh, sorry, I’m a night bug, I work nights. You have a job? Here in town? Where doing what?”
    “Yea, I have a job, I’m no slouch. I’m a lifeguard at the beach. It’s a summer job, While I’m home from school.  It’s a day job. So I have to get some sleep, or there will be no saving lives tomorrow.”
     He pays the bill, they get up to leave. She looks at him, wondering if she should say something. At the same time they say, “How about tomorrow night?” They laugh, “We’re doing it again.” Alisa says. Alex smiles. ‘ We’re still on the same wavelength.'  It used to drive people crazy , not having to say thing they both just knew. Everyone around them always missed it.’  “I’m glad.... saves my vocal cords.” They both laugh . As they walk to their cars Alisa decides to ask him about the other night on the highway. Alex says, “I saw this car on the Highway the other night. IT WAS YOU! I thought it was my imagination playing tricks on me. I followed you for a while but you turned off.”
    “Really, I followed you too, but you turned down Desert Drive,  So I thought  I was wrong. You’re not staying with your mother?” Alisa says amazed  about their train of thought. “No, I have a little studio apartment by the beach. I like your new car.. HoT!” “thanks, took all my savings, but it’s worth it!”  “Well, mine is...economical.” Alex says trying not to laugh.  “It’s cute, reminds me of..." Alisa start, and Alex finishes  "Herbie the love Bug..yea I know I’ve heard it before.”  They laugh. They stand there looking at each other not knowing how to say good night. Both of them not wanting to say goodbye. “Well, I’ll call you tomorrow then, when I get off work?” Alex says.
“Okay, tomorrow is my day off, so I’ll be home. Oh, I have a roommate, Krissy, she’s a sweetie. So if she answers just ask for me okay?” “Okay, tomorrow then..... goodnight Alisa.” He says it so softly she barely hears it. But the words weren’t important . Just before he walks away. He lifts his arm and touches her face with the back of his hand so softly,  as not to disturb the skin.’ She feels real , not a dream.’ Alisa looks at him and closes her eyes at the touch of his hand for just a brief moment. She  can’t believe how good he feels.
“Goodnight, Alex.”  He walks to his car and gets in. She watches him walking away. ‘Oh, my God, he’s real . Look at him . Tall, blonde, Tan. Gorgeous. Wow,' Shaking her head to get her thoughts clear. She gets in her car and puts the top down. Driving home, all she can think of is Alex.
 
                                                             Chapter IV

     Alisa wakes up with a smile on her face for the first time in months. She can't believe last night was real. He's really back in her life again. It seems like such a long time. She has so many regrets from the past. How can she apologize?  Will he understand? She can't see how he would, she doesn't understand it. She sits on the couch and thinks back to how everything began.
    ( She and Alex had known each other since high school. They were friends. Even then, there was a connection neither could explain. They dated other people, but never each other. When they went out it was as friends. They helped each other through rough relationships. They could talk about anything for hours and most often did. When  they graduated , they stayed in touch, but not as often they they wanted. Then Alisa got a job in a restaurant ,only to find Alex already working there. So there they were, the dynamic duo, back again. They could see each other everyday and never tire of the company. But, by this time Alisa  was living with Damian.  As Alex and Alisa grew closer and closer, Damian  resented him more and more. Their friendship was hurting her relationship with Damian , she knew it. But never so clearly until Damian made her choose.
     She loved Alex, he was her best friend. But she thought it was a childish love, and Damian was good to her and deserved her love. So She told  Damian she would stop seeing Alex. Damian was so happy, he asked her to marry him. He said it was time for there relationship to go to the next level. She could see how much it meant to him. So she accepted the proposal.
     Then, came the hard part. Telling Alex. She didn't want to hurt him. But it was something she felt she had to do. Alex had always said, he wanted her to be happy.
She thought this would make her happy.
     She and Alex went to the point to watch the sunset, like they did many times after getting off work. She told him about Damian's proposal, and about not being able to spend time with him anymore, how it made Damian feel uncomfortable. That she would always be his friend, but this is the way it had to be, because Damian loved her.
     Alisa remembered the look on Alex's face. The hurt in his eyes. The way he turned his head so she couldn't see his face. She remembered every word he said, as if they were burned into her soul.  " You don't want to see me anymore?"
Alex said. "It's not the I don't WANT to, I can't. Damian doesn't understand how we are. He's jealous."  Alex is shaking is head, "He's jealous? He's the one that lives with you. He's the one you're going to marry. I don't understand why I have to lose you as a friend. I've always accepted that I can't have more. Why can't he accept that. It's not right Alisa, and you know it."
  "I know, but I have to do this. Please understand. He loves me." Alex looked at her as if he didn't know her, "Well, I love you too. I always have. Since the day I first saw your face. You can't tell me you never knew."
      "No, you don't. We're just friends. We've always been just friends."
     " Don't tell me how I feel Alisa, not now. We're just friends because I thought that's what you always wanted. I just wanted you in my life. And now I can't even have that."
     "Alex, you're leaving for college soon. You can't expect me wait for you. Long distance relationships never work. Besides there's Damian. He loves me. He wants to be with me."
   "Alisa, I love you . I want to be with you too. Marry me. You can  move to college with me. We'll get a place. We'll work, we'll play. We'll be together."
     " Alex, don't do this, I can't. I have a life here. A house, a job. Damian."
 Alex puts his head in his hands. He doesn't speak. He just sits there, Then after what seemed to be forever, he looked up to the sky just watching the sunset. As the sun disappeared from the sky.
     "Then I guess, this is it. I do love you Alisa. I want you to be happy. If Damian makes you happy. So be it." Alex gets up from the beach and walks away.)
 

                                                         Chapter v

     Alisa gets up from the couch. Crying. Thinking about that day still makes her cry. How could she have been so stupid?  Letting him leave, asking him to leave.
But, thank goodness that was over , and he's back now. She can make it all right again. But this time it's going to be different. She has learned so much . She knows what, and who, she wants. She wants Alex. It's been a long 8 months but it will
be worth the wait.
Alisa spends the day catching up on things. Cleaning, laundry. Mostly, she tries to find just the right thing to wear. She's hunting in the closet when the phone rings.
She runs to the phone and lets it ring one more time. "Hello."
     "Hi, it's Alex." coming from the connection. "Hi, how are you today. Not tired are you? I hope I didn't keep you out too late last night." Alisa says, relieved that it's him.
    "No, I'm fine. Did you sleep till noon, as usual?"  Alex says laughing.
   "No I was up bright and early. Too much stuff to do. So what's up?"
    " I thought we could have dinner, Seaport Inn okay?" He's hoping to impress her.
    "Wow, Seaport  Inn, how much money do you lifeguards make anyway?"
Alisa, dually impressed.
   "Enough! I'll pick you up at 6:30. I thought if we finished in time we could go to the point and watch .....the sunset."
    "6:30 is fine. But can we take my car? No offense. I like convertibles. Watching the sunset sounds fabulous. I haven't seen one ...in age."
    "Okay pick you up and we'll take your car from there. Great it's a date."
    " A date?"
"Yea, a date. See ya later."
   "Bye."  Alisa can't believe it. She's going to se him tonight.' It's going to be perfect. oh, God, what am I going to wear..."
 
 
                                                  Chapter VI

     Alisa looks in the mirror. She loves this dress It's one of those long flowing summer dresses, and it accents her petite figure.  For once her hair came out right.
She hopes Alex will like it. It's almost 6:30. There's a knock on the door. She goes to it and opens it. There stands Alex, looking more gorgeous than she ever remembered him being. He has on a white gauze shirt, and dark blue jeans. His hair is so blonde, and his dark tan makes his eyes look Caribbean blue. She has to catch
her breath.
     Alex takes one look at Alisa. "Wow!" ' Mission accomplished,' Alisa thinks.
"My thought exactly. You look so nice, Alex. You clean up good."
   "Thanks, so do you. Ready?"
    "Yup. Just let me get my keys." as she picks up her purse and her keys on the stand next to the door.
     They take  her car. She lets him drive. They talk about how nice it handles,
and what a deal she got on it. When they get to the restaurant, They order wine with Dinner.
     "You've gotten to be quite good at selecting wines." Alisa says.
     "Thanks, I had a good teacher." He remember her trying to explain the difference in wines to him when she started working at The Oasis.
    "How's college? Is it what you expected it to be?"
    "Oh, it's an interesting place alright. The students, the classes. I joined a Frat house. Lots of wild parties. It's time consuming. But great!"
     "It must be fun, going somewhere new and meeting new people. I envy you."
   "New people are nice, but I like it here. I've missed you."
     "I've missed you too. I have so much to say. I don't know where to start."
    "Well, let me start then, okay?"
  "Okay. "
     "About that time at the point.....I'm sorry. I should never have put you in that spot. Telling you ...what I did... wasn't fair. I know you were only doing what you thought was right. I made it harder on you than I had a right to and I'm sorry."
   "You were just being honest."
     "I know, but .......I didn't mean to hurt you. I left you alone because that's what I thought you wanted...not because I was angry. I hope you know that."
    "I know that."
     "All I've ever wanted was for you to be happy. You know that don't you?"
     "Yes, I know, listen this place is getting crowded and the sun is starting to go down, what say we go to the point and finish this conversation?"
     "Oh, yea, okay." He was so involved in the conversation he hadn't noticed all the people around him.
     He pays the bill, and they leave. They don't say anything on the short drive to the point. But it's not uncomfortable. It's just quiet. They get to the point. It's a beautiful evening. The sky is mostly clear with just a few light clouds. Alisa hasn't been here since the day he left. This was their place in the world, the place where no one else and nothing else ,could reach them. It was their own little piece of paradise. She is  surprised  how it hadn't changed at all. Things in Florida are constantly changing. She is glad this place hadn't.
     Alex parks the car and they walk to the sand, It's only a small stretch of beach surrounded by trees. He's glad no one but them ever found it. He sits down , and looks up at Alisa. She's just standing there. Watching the water and the horizon.
She seems to be deep in thought. He touches her hand, she looks at him, and sits down beside him slowly. She's looking at the water, as she begins to speak.
     "I haven't been here since the day you left. I couldn't bring myself to come here. When you left , and I didn't hear from you, a part of me went into some kind of coma. I can't explain it really. Even I didn't realize what was going on. Damian did. He saw it and he even told me. He said that I was in love with you and that I didn't even know it yet. I thought it was jealousy talking at first. But as time went on, I realized  how much I missed you. How much I needed you in my life. I resented Damian for making me give you up. And when his mistress came knocking on the door to tell me all about them, it was my excuse to get out."
     She can't even look at him. She doesn't want to look in his eyes and see pity.
And she's afraid, he doesn't return her feelings anymore. She wouldn't blame him, she had hurt him so badly.
     Alex, takes her hand in his , he doesn't say a word, he leans over and lightly kisses her shoulder.
     "I spend night after night, thinking of you. Remembering of you. You were my best friend, and I hurt you. I am so sorry Alex. Please forgive me"
     "There's nothing  to forgive. I understood why you did what you did. I hated it. But I understood it. As for hurting me? Hey, what are friends for?"
Alisa finally looks at him , in his eyes there was no pity. Just love and understanding. She is so relieved, she leans over and gives him a hug. Neither of them are prepared for their reaction. Alisa can't believe how he feels. So strong, and comforting. This is the first time she ever felt completely safe, and calm.
Alex can't  believe how warm and alive  she feels, how right she feels in his arms.
The embrace ends and they look into each other's eyes, and turn away at the same time.
     "Well, I feel better getting that off my chest. You?
     "Yea, now we can start over. I'm glad we found each other again. I'm your friend forever Alisa, no matter what.No matter what."
     "Hey, do you realize this is our first official date? We never actually went out on a date before."
     "After 6 years of knowing you, I finally got a date. Hell, If I'd known taking off for a few months would lead to this I would have done it 4 years ago."
    "That's not funny, I'd have missed you then too. I'm just glad you're back now.
So where do we go from here?"
     "Anywhere you want to go, sugar. The ball is in your court. You have the upper hand here. You already know how I feel about you. Now you have to decide how or if you want to change things."
    "Do I have to decide to night?"
   " Of course not. We'll just play it by ear, how about that. you'll let me know when you've decided......you always do!"

 
                                                     ChapterVII

 For the next couple of weeks Alisa and Alex  would spend all of their time together.
She would come to the beach, and watch him work. He would go to the Restaurant and watch her work. When they weren't working, they were together.
Canoeing. Playing Racquetball. Hiking. Everything they did they did together.
Alisa had never been this happy. She couldn't stop smiling even if she wanted too.
Alex thought he was living a dream. Alisa would bring lunch to the beach. They would picnic and talk and talk. In just a few short days, they had caught up on everything in their lives.
     Alex wanted to take Alisa to a very special restaurant. So He told to dress in her finest clothes and he would pick her up at her house. Never saying where they where going.  When he picks her up  He is in a tuxedo. He is stunning. Alisa can't  take her eyes off him. She has on a long lace fitted red dress. Alex is amazed at how she gets more beautiful every time  he sees her.
     They leave his car at her house and take hers. He takes her to The best french restaurant on the west coast. They dine and dance. There's is a frenchman playing a guitar and singing. Ah, LaMore" He keeps saying to them. They laugh.
      Alex says, "I have always wanted to bring you here. This is my favorite restaurant in the whole world. I used to go over it in my head. But now it's real , and it's better than any fantasy I ever had. Thank you. Alisa."
     Alisa smiles and takes his hand and kisses it. "Your welcome. I love it. Can we come back someday?"
     "Any day you wish. " Alex says kissing her hands, one at a time.
They pay the bill and tip the guitar man.
      Alisa sits close to Alex as he drives them back to her house. She puts her head on his shoulder. Alex  is so happy  he thinks he may just burst.
   When they reach Alisa's house. Alex gets out and opens the door for her. They say the good-byes. Alisa doesn't want him to leave but she can't ask him in because Krissy's little sister is sleeping on the couch. So they say goodnight They walk to his car he gets in, and tries to start it His car will not start.  Alisa is not dumb by any means, she knows  he can push start the car. She chooses not to say anything. She wants to take him home. When they get to his studio apartment she comes in for just one drink. But soon the time flies by and it 's late. So with heavy hearts they say goodnight. Alisa gets her keys from her purse. “Oh, no.” Alisa says shaking her head. “What’s the matter?” Alex answers. “I Can’t believe I brought the wrong set of keys. I don’t have my house keys with me!” “ I can’t wake Krissy at this hour. She’d kill me , she has to be up in.......4 hours.” She looks at Alex with a question in her eyes, and as always , she didn’t have to say a word. “Stay here. It’ll be fine.It's not like we haven't done this before, I always slept on your couch, remember?  You take the bed , I’ll sleep on the floor. ”Alex said with a smile “ "Don’t be silly I’ll sleep on the floor, you take the bed, it’s your house.” “Yes it is my house, and you're my guest, don’t argue, it’s late, remember?”

“Here, you wear the top and I’ll wear the bottom.” Alex says as he hands the top of his pajamas to Alisa. Alisa smiles coyly, and takes  the top slowly out of Alex’s hand, stopping just long enough to feel the tenderness in his hand. Just the feel of his skin makes her tingle all over. He pulls out the bed from the couch. takes a pillow and blanket and proceeds to make himself a bed on the floor. Alisa just stands  in amazement, watching him move. He is sooo gorgeous. It amazes her it took her so long to notice. But they had been friends for so long. He finishes his work, looks up gives her a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll just change in the bathroom, go ahead and change .” He heads for the bathroom, and she watches every step. He turns around, he can feel her eyes, and smiles and shuts the door.
        “I can’t believe I’m doing this” Alisa thinks to herself, “I love him soo much, I can’t stand it anymore. He is such a part of me that if I don’t  feel him lying next to me soon I swear..I’ll die.” She looks at the top of his pajamas. They are regular guys pajamas, then she thinks “Yea, he would have these.” She looks around the room . There are no lights on, only a candle on the coffee table and the pale blue moonlight coming through the window. "Everything is perfect. Now  is the time. If I know anything in this life at all it’s that I love  and desire this man with every fiber of my being. I can do this, hopefully without making a fool of myself.” She takes off her clothes folds them neatly and puts them on the chair next to the bed. With them, she puts the pajama top. Then she slowly, gets between the cool sheet.
     After what seemed like a life time , Alex comes out of the bathroom. Slowly walks into the room, carefully, because his eyes are adjusting to the dim light. “All settled?” He says  “Yup” she answers. “But I still think You should sleep on the bed.” “You’re not sleeping on the floor.” Alex  replies with barely a pause. With that, Alisa smiles and softly whispers, “I didn’t say I would.” Alex looks at her and even in the dimly lit room he could she her beautiful face. Oh, how he dreamt of this view for years. “You can sleep here with me.”
     “Are you sure?” Alex carefully asks. “Surest I've ever been in my life.”she answers. As Alex rose to get into the bed, his heart started to race. His palms were sweating. He needed someone to pinch him...to tell him this wasn’t a dream. As he gets closer to the bed, Alisa opens the sheets for him to join her and he see that she is naked. He says. "Didn’t like my taste in clothes?"  “Oh, no, sweetie it was fine, it’s just I always sleep naked, and I saw no reason to change any more habits tonight.”
     “Alisa, I love you so much...” With that she looks so deep into his eyes she can see into his soul. She knew from this point on, her life would never be the same. She kisses him gently on the lips and then the forehead. He takes her face in his hands, sweeps his fingers across her cheeks ,as if to remember it all by touch.
She melts at the feel of him. He slowly takes off his  pajama bottoms , while under the covers, and quickly returns to caressing her. For the first time she can feel his body next to hers.  She can’t take her eyes from him. She feels him shaking like a branch in the wind. His arms, his shoulder,  she looks to his face and by the light of the moon she can see he’s crying. Softly she whispers “ What’s wrong? You’re shaking?” He smiles at her and softly whispers in her ear. “I have wanted  this moment  for so long, I never thought it would come true. I love you so much.....I just can’t believe this is real. I want you, I want to feel every inch of you and memorize it.” Alex kisses her so hard she doesn’t know where he starts and she ends. When the kiss is over, he looks at her and there is such quiet they can both hear the other’s heart beat. Alisa caressing every morsel of his body feeling his beautiful muscular body with the ends of her fingertips, so as to take in the perfect form. Their bodies blend together just as their souls always had. Alisa smiles and whispers in his ear, “Make love to me."
 

                                                              Chapter VIII

    The sun was high in the sky, when Alex awoke. There, lying next to him is  the woman of his heart, of his soul.  He watches her while she sleeps. Trying to take in all of her beauty. He can't imagine his life without her.  He moves some hair from her face, and she starts to awaken. Alisa opens her eyes to see Alex looking at her.
     "Good morning, bright eyes, ." Alex says with a smile. " Sleep well?"
    "Good morning, yes I did. You?"
    "Well, rested thanks. Do you know how beautiful  you are when you wake up?"
   "Yea, yuk. But thanks. You on the other hand are a vision. Thank you for last night. It means the world to me."
    "You're welcome. Listen I have to go to work soon. Could I see you later tonight? After you get off work?"
   "Yea, sure. Meet me at the restaurant. I get off at 8:00. Oh, what about your car?"
   "Oh, right the car. I'll take a look at it after I get off work if, you don't mind ."
   " Of course, I don't mind. Listen it's a standard right?" Alisa asks innocently.
     "Yea, why?" Alex asks surprised she knew about cars.
     "Well, if you give it a push and pop the clutch, it'll start. Just don't let it  stall."
    "How did you know that?" Alex said surprised  she knew.
    "I used to own a standard, remember?"Alisa smiles
     "You didn't mention this little bit of info last night?"
    "I guess I didn't think of it, besides did you really want to push that car in a Tux?"
     "No......you had this all planned didn't you?"
    "Who me? You know my mind doesn't work that way." She hops out of bed and gets dressed.
     "Yea, right." Alex says as they leave the room.
They agree to mean at 8:15 at the point. Alisa goes home to get on with her day.
Alex head to work.
Neither of them could get the memories of the night before out of there heads.
     Finally, after  the longest day. They met at the point.
Alex gets there first. He waits and wonders what she has to say about last night. He knows it's the happiest night of his life. He hopes she feels the same way. His mind flashing on her saying they are only friends, He starts to pace.
    Alisa gets there a few minutes later. She is so happy. She runs up to him and hugs him so hard she almost knocks him over. Giving him a quick kiss, she says,
"   Sorry I'm late, work problems, nothing serious. What's up?"
    " Alisa I think we should talk about last night. I need to know how you feel."
    "I feel great. Why? Don't you?"
     "Yes, I do  that's the problem. This can't be just a fling for me. I need to know where I stand with you. You have to be honest."
     " Oh, Alex, Honey, I'm sorry. Haven't I said it?"
     "Said what?"
    "That I love you.... I'm in love with you.... I have been ,always. It just took me a really long time to know it. But once I did it overwhelmed me."
     "You do? You are?  Are you sure? You're not just saying this?'
     "Alex, I would never do that to you. I guess, I've said it in my head so much
I  guess I forgot to say it out loud."
      "Alisa, I love you . I can't imagine my life without you. You are the woman I've always dreamed of. You are My heart..my soul. You know that don't you?"
     "Yes, Alex, I know . I feel the exact same way about you. When you were gone, my soul left with you. You are my life. I love you."
    "  Oh God, Say it again."
     "I love you.". she said softly, touching his face.
      " Alisa, I know I'm leaving for school soon, and that there isn't much time to plan. But I can't be without you. Will you marry me? We can make it work. I know , the house the job, money.. We'll work it all......"
      "Yes."
     "What,?"
     "Yes."
    "Really?"
     "Yes."
     "Oh I love you. You'll see it'll be fine. You won't lose anything I promise. I'll make you happy. We'll find a nice house, and a good job  and..."
    " Alex, I don't care about any of that. I gave you up once for all of that stuff. I'll never do it again. As long as we're together. I'll Be Happy"
     "Here, this is for you." Alex pulls out a small box from his jean pocket.
   "Alex, what is this?"
    "Open it."
Alisa opens the box to see a beautiful  Diamond solitaire ring.
   "Oh, Alex, it's beautiful. When did you.."
  " I bought it yesterday, to give to you at dinner. But I couldn't find the words.
I wanted it to be perfect. Put it on."
   "You do it," Alisa says, she's so excited. She can't stand still.
Alex puts the ring on her finger. Gets down on one knee, and says
    "Alisa you are the only love of my life, you are my heart, you are my soul.I want to spend the rest of my life waking everyday to the sight of your beautful face. Please say you'll marry me."
    "Alex, I love you. I will spend everyday of the rest of my life, telling you so. Yes, I will marry you," Alex pulls her to the sand, kisses her, caresses her ,and she melts into him with every movement
They make love on the beach as the sun goes down, and a cool breeze blows, not aware there is a world outside of their private beach. They are complete.

They lie on the beach watching the last of the changing sky from the sunset.
Holding on to one another so tightly, They will never let go.
 
 
 
 

                                               THE END