The Destiny Double Date Love Story

Love You from Afar

Tim sat upon the short stonewall that lined the apartment building where he and his friends all lived. It was yet another day. One, which, like all the others, he would see her, and his heart would light up. But, as he laid his head down at night, he would once again regret allowing another day pass having not told her of his love. He thought of how it was strange, that most love-struck people will turn away when the object of their affection catches them staring. He on the other hand was unable to look away. Whenever his eyes would catch her from across a room or a field, he was held in her eyes by a trance he could never define or explain. It was then that he looked up and saw her making her way out of the woods that were behind the building. He wondered what it was that pulled her back there so often, but never dared to enter there for fear of discovering some secret that would ruin any chance of earning her trust. But that and all other thoughts quickly dissolved as he watched her. He marveled at her petite form, covered by an elegant looking white dress that only partially clung to her 21-year-old body.

He loved the way that her mocha-colored skin gave away her ½ Italian roots; offset by her Caucasian side, as did her almost black shoulder length hair. At that he wondered only briefly if anyone else noticed that her hair was indeed a very dark brown, but only a shade or two away from black. From the distance in which he sat he wouldn’t be able to see them, but in his mind, he could see clearly her eternal brown eyes. She moved with grace and poise that never failed to astonish him. Her name was Andrea and to him she was unreachable and everything that his dreams held… and it was holding her that his dreams most often displayed to tease him. As she came a little closer, he could see that her lips were moving, most likely in thought he figured. Her gaze remained on the ground, but that was fine to him, after all if she did not look up then she wouldn’t catch him staring at her from a far once again.

She had come out of the woods and instantly noticed him sitting there on the wall as he had often done before. She was afraid that he would catch her staring at him again, so she simply looked to the ground as she started her way back to the apartment. She had caught him staring before, as he had her she was sure, but could never find the words to tell him what too many times she laid in bed at night wishing she could scream to him. She had watched him for so long, and she was sure that he had looked at her in the same way but would take no chances. As she walked, she began to pray, but as though she were talking to him. “Please just come over here. I want so much to tell you how I feel, but my heart could never take it if you don’t feel the same way.” She looked up but toward the side.

She was relieved to see Christine making her way to her. She would allow for a distraction. She gave her a wave and a smile and hoped that she would hurry to her. Soon enough Christine came to walk beside her; she was almost to her when she glanced toward Tim and then back to Andrea. Through her soft laughter she said in a mocking tone, “You know, to be interested in him so much, you sure do a good job of making sure he never finds out.” Not sure what to say to that… since she knew it was true, she just gave her friend a ‘whatever’ look and then once again turned her attention back to ground in front of each step.

It was another great relief on Andrea’s thoughts when Christine began to ramble on in a schoolgirl type of tone. “Guess what? I just met the most wonderful man on this planet! I’m telling you Andrea I think I could be in love! My heart tells me that he is the one for sure!” Then she gave a playful tap on Andrea’s arm and then looked upward with a down turned head at her. “Oh, and there is one thing about him that you are just going to love!” Andrea stopped a moment at Christine’s outstretched arm and turned to her. “I doubt it, girl, but tell me anyway.” Christine took a step-in front of her and then said with a big grin, “His name is Eric… and he’s best friends with Tim.” Andrea’s face grew flushed, against her best efforts to prevent it, and she was unable to stop her revealing smile at the news. “Well, Christine… I think it would be only proper to invite your new boyfriend over for dinner. And of course, mention to him that your best friend is coming over so he should bring a friend with him. Since they are best friends… I’m sure he’ll bring Tim.” With a failed attempt at silencing their squeal of both guilt and happiness they threw their arms around each other in a gripping hug.

Tim was still staring, but trying to make it look like he wasn’t, watching Andrea hug her best friend. He figured that they were best friends anyway. Christine, he knew her name only from hearing Andrea call her from across a room some two months ago, didn’t look to be her sister. Christine was fully Caucasian and only mildly tanned. She had blonde hair that went down to the middle of her neck. He admitted that she was pretty too and being the same age as Andrea she still possessed her girlish charm but with all the best qualities of a woman… just like Andrea. However, standing next to Andrea she was barely noticeable to him. It was because of his thoughts and his dedicated attention on Andrea that he didn’t notice when Eric came up to him. He placed his hand on Tim’s shoulder, causing him to jump up off the wall and turn ready to defend himself. Eric laughed wickedly. “Jumpy? Or are you just lost in daydreams about a certain young lady again?” Tim gave him a sideways glance as he retorted, “You know the answer, so why do you bother to ask me?” Through another wicked grin he replied, “Because it gets under your skin.” Just then Eric said, “Well since I can see that she’s getting to you again and that’s usually when you take off on one of your walks, let me share some news with you before you take off for hours at a time.”

It was uncanny to Tim how Eric could read his mind, since that was just what he was about to do. So, instead, he sat back down on the wall and sat so that he could continue to glance at Andrea at will and still give a little attention to what it was that his friend had to say. “Tim… I have to tell you, man. I’m in love.” That warranted a look from Tim. “Well, I’m happy for you. Maybe one day soon I can meet her.” To that Eric just gave a quick burst of laughter. “Well… there is more actually. A fact that I am sure that you will like about her too.” Just as he opened his mouth to give his friend the good news, he was cut off. “Eric, sorry to leave you in your peak of happiness, but I need to go for another walk. I have got to get the courage to talk to her and tell her everything that she’s doing to me.” As Tim got up, his friend tried to catch him, but he was already on his way to the door that led to the apartments. Tim just yelled, “I’m going to go get my iPhone to help drown out some of my thoughts. I’ll see you when I get back.”

The Plans are Set

When Tim had gone through the doors, Eric said, rather to himself, “Here I am, 22 and in love. And there he is, 23 and tormented.” After that he let out one more rush of breath and then looked up to see Christine and Andrea walking toward him. The smile that appeared on his face was instant and without any effort. He elated in the sight when Christine rushed to him and threw herself into his arms. Andrea walked up afterward rather slowly and jokingly said, “So, this is the infamous Eric who has stolen my friend’s heart.” Eric laid a tender kiss onto Christine’s lips before replying. “Yep, that would be me.” He saw Andrea shoot a look of what could only be a ‘hurry up’ and then Christine turned to him quickly and gasp, “Oh yeah! Can you come over to our apartment for dinner tonight?” Eric grinned; he knew by the look in her eyes and the tone of her voice that there was something more to this. “Yeah, I can make it.” She grabbed his face by the cheeks and loudly said, “Good! Come over around 6:00 PM okay? Oh, and since Andrea has no plans tonight could you bring a friend with you?” Eric, not bothering to conceal his grin, which stretched from ear to ear, said, “You can count on it, Love.”

As Eric walked toward the apartment door, Tim came out with his iPhone in hand. As they came upon each other Eric took the earbuds and said, “Change of plans.” Just as Tim was about to object, Eric held up his hand. “Trust me, you’ll thank me later. Now come on.” There was no use in trying to object, it was obvious he was determined, so Tim just went along with it and followed as they headed back into the building. “Might I ask what we are going to the apartment for?” Eric shot him a look that only further motivated Tim’s curiosity. “To get ready for dinner, of course.” There was no time for further questions before Eric walked off. So again, he just followed. Once back in their apartment, Eric said, “Where something nice… we’re going out to eat.” Tim walked toward his room and yelled, “Are you buying?” He could hear the laughter. “No and neither are you. My new girlfriend is going to make us dinner.” “Well wouldn’t you rather be alone with her tonight?” Again, the laughter came.

“Well, she has a friend with nothing to do, so I told her that I would bring someone with me.” Tim just thought, ‘well, I’ll do him this favor, I guess. But there is only one that I want, and he knows that’ then rolled his eyes and started to dress. They both dressed in their nicest button- up shirts and a pair of loose-fitting comfortable slacks. Tim in black and Eric in dark tan. Both rushed the bathroom and brushed their hair and teeth. About then it was 6 o’clock. “I am just wondering: if you just got the invite… why would she make it for so soon. She couldn’t have had time to cook by now.” As he passed him swiftly, Eric quickly said, “Don’t ask questions about it...just be thankful that we don’t have to cook the food ourselves.” “Good point.” With that, they were out the door.

They got on the elevator and Tim pushed the button for the ground floor. “Oh, no. That won’t be necessary.” Then with a low laugh, Eric pushed the 2nd floor. Tim gave a side glance and tried to figure out why that seemed so familiar.” The contemplation only took him a minute of thinking. The 2nd floor was the same floor that Andrea lived on. He suddenly got a mental image of her seeing him with his date and thinking that he was taken. Then he’d never be able to win her heart. However, he had a strong loyalty to his friend, and something deep inside him told him to just go on with the plan. And so it was that he and Eric started around a corner toward the other side of the building from where they lived. Then, soon after turning the corner, stopped in front of the door. He looked at it for a moment and then in his mind thought about the location of Andrea’s apartment. They were on the other side of the building, so her place was not in view from here. He was thankful for that. Giving another wicked grin to Tim, Eric knocked on the door. That is when Tim’s heart began to race. Because, as the door opened, he heard, “Christine… they’re here. I’ll get it.” Innocent words, had they not rung out to him in Andrea’s voice. Part of him felt like running, but his body wouldn’t corporate. Then, his eyes fell deep into hers.

One Night Changes It All

Andrea opened the door and her gaze seemed to go through Eric and lock instantly with Tim’s. “Well, Andrea… are you going to let us in, or should we eat out here?” She shook her head a little. She hadn’t even realized that she was staring. He looked as he always did to her, bordering on perfect. His medium brown short hair was brushed neatly, and as they passed her, she noticed, he smelled enticing. His blue eyes had trapped her the moment she opened the door. And his body was toned but not enough to think he worked on his body too much. His 5’ 11” protective stature made him taller since she only stood 5’ 6”; another fact she liked about him. It was also another girlish effect he had on her, she knew, yet she still indulged in it. He was a sight indeed.

She forced herself to look away from him before he caught her girlish stare again. She saw Eric taking a slow spin in the kitchen, with Christine looking him over. He was a fair looking man in her opinion. Being of equal height and muscle tone to Tim, but with very short blonde hair, much like Christine’s she noticed. He too had blue eyes, but they were a darker color than Tim’s. Oh, Tim’s… that mere thought brought her back to his gaze. When he had gazed into her eyes, she had felt naked to him. Yet, she wanted him to fully see her, and hide nothing from him.

Tim sat at the table trying his best to think of something he could say that would hide the crack in his voice. There was nothing. Finally, he saw Eric sit across from him. “Tim, wake up. She’s right there…why are you sitting here like a little boy?” Tim looked and watched as Andrea walked into the kitchen to join Christine in making dinner. Tim gave an upward glance with a downward chin and softly said, “Cause, I’m afraid as soon as I open my mouth, I’ll be having my foot for dinner.” Eric tried to silence his laugh but didn’t seem to do a very good job of it.

Just then Andrea yelled from the kitchen, “Guys, we can’t reach this pot. Will one of you come get it for us?” Eric began to stand up and Tim quickly blurted out, “Sit down! I got it.” Eric just gave a nod and a grin as he motioned with a swoop of his hand toward the kitchen. As sure-footed as he could manage, he made his way to the kitchen. He was not prepared to see Andrea on the tips of her feet stretching upward still trying to reach the pot that eluded her. He thought it strange but as he stopped to admire her, Christine brushed past him with a grin that was obviously filled with a type of guilt. As she stretched, he could only stare in astonished adoration. That is until she noticed him standing there and spoke. “Oh good, could you please see if you can reach that for me.”

The urge to say what he was thinking did not give him time to do otherwise. “For you, I’d do anything.” When he noticed the ever-widening smile that came across her expression, and the look that appeared suddenly in her eyes, he was glad he had said it. Yet, he was embarrassed to have said it just the same. He quickly walked over and reached up. To his delight she did not move to allow him any more space, forcing him to stand and reach up while only an inch or two away from her body. He made more chore of taking hold of the pot than was really needed. He only wished to prolong the time so that he could take in the smell of her hair, and the heat coming from her body. He bathed himself in the smile that had still not left her. He was pleased to think that maybe his words had been the cause of that smile. He had brought her pleasure with his words, though he would not allow himself to see what was surely obvious.

She looked at him intently and took in the smell of him. That pure raw musk of a man. She felt the heat from his body, and it sent surges of pleasure through her. Yet in her mind the words repeated in his voice… ‘For you, I’d do anything’, that was what he had said. She was sure of it. Somehow being close to him felt intoxicating…. it felt right. But then, he pulled down the pot and handed it to her. With no word at all he turned and went hurriedly into the dining room. Shortly after he had returned, Christine came through the door into the kitchen. “Well, any sparks flying?” And then she noticed the way that Christine was looking at her. It was then that she realized that she still retained the girlish smile that he had caused with one statement a moment ago. She quickly tried to hide it, but knew it was too late. So, she turned back to her friend and in a loving tone said slowly, “Sparks? I think he set my body on fire.” She didn’t bother to wait for Christine’s reaction. She simply turned to on finishing the dishes she had agreed to prepare. So, Christine also returned to finishing her part.

Once it was all prepared the girls began to bring the food to the table. What the parts of the meal were, were of very little importance since no one there even paid attention to the food. As the girls neared the table the guys stood. Once the meal was set on the table, Tim and Eric pulled the chairs next to them out a bit, and then slid them back to the table gently once the girls had sat down. Christine began to say the blessing, and everyone joined hands. Though he thought to lower his head and close his eyes, Tim could think of only Andrea. There she was sitting next to him, finally. Only now that the moment had come… he was unsure of what to do, or what to say.

All thought seemed to take leave of him in one moment. And then the next thing he knew she was done with the blessing, and everyone started to reach for various things. It was then that Tim realized that he was still holding Andrea’s hand. Even more to the point, however, was that she had not yet tried to let go of his either. They exchanged a look of understanding and then turned toward their plates. It was only when Christine asks her to pass the bowl in front of her, which was heavy due to all the mash potatoes in it, that she released his hand reluctantly. With no thought other than his need to touch her, he allowed her to release his hand, but quickly dropped his hand to her leg. Again, she made no objections.

The dinner went quickly and not too many words were spoken. After all, it’s difficult to speak and also rude, while feeding your face. However, once everyone was done the girls rose to begin clearing the dishes. “Oh no. You girls cooked, let us do that.” Both girls shot a look at Tim, but it did not compare to the all-out stare that he was receiving from Eric. And then Christine seemed to look past him and slyly remarked, “Okay, you’ll get no objections from us on that. However, the dishes can wait.” Then she walked around the table and past him. He didn’t bother to see what it was that she was doing. He looked over at Andrea while she watched Christine. Once again, she enchanted him without even knowing it. His attention was commanded elsewhere when he started to hear the soft melodies pour out of the speakers in the living room behind him. He was both excited and also very nervous. He would be afforded the opportunity to hold Andrea tightly to him… however, he was suddenly very aware that he did not know how to dance well at all. So, rather than embrace himself, he thought it best to tell her the truth.

“Andrea, I would really be honored if you would dance with me. But I must warn you, I can’t dance very well at all.” She smiled at him and then raised her hand to touch his cheek. She hadn’t thought it would affect her as much as him, but indeed it did. She then reassured him, “Well, just hold me and that’s all I ask.” He had no need to hide his smile from her… not that he could have if he wanted to. With that he stood and outstretched his hand, which she then took gracefully. He led her to the floor, and they exchanged another smile. It seemed to them both that they had begun to move in slow motion as they came together. His arms wrapped around her and came to rest on her middle and lower back. Hers came to rest around his neck. And slowly they began to sway to the music. Their eyes embraced each other’s, and their hold became more intense, and they held each other tighter. They both knew in that moment that something inside them had been awakened and there was no turning back or stopping it. Nor would they ever want to.

Neither had realized it but as they gazed deeply into each other’s eyes, their mouths slowly moved closer. In an instant that lasted forever, their lips were brushing together, yet still not kissing. Then the magic took them over and tenderly their lips closed together, and their kiss overtook every fiber of their being. She felt as though she were melting into him. In the magic of the moment, nothing could have taken the moment away. The four of them simply glided across the dance floor and held one another. Four people becoming two entities in time. The night was theirs’, and it would be spent together. In the morning they would awake to girls’ having gone out to the gym, but at some point, in the day, Tim would walk up to her or she to him… and they would kiss and tell each other the words they had dreamed of saying for so long. They would say it as often as they could, so that the other would never forget. Yes, life began anew for them on that day.