So, you must be wondering who I called that night? Well, here is your answer:



Emilio.

I know, I know. I have some explaining to do. I’m supposed to be with Sean forever, right?

It’s just that… our relationship was stale. Phone calls were few and far apart, we rarely saw each other anymore, and the romance was dead. Once you’ve been with someone for 3 years, there really aren’t any new things to do or discover about each other. The distance was showing me how lonely I was, and how much I needed a flesh and blood relationship; one that I could touch and smell. I wanted to be in the same room with my boyfriend, not the same CHAT room.

Besides, Emilio was thrilling. Every time he was near, my skin tingled, my senses exploded. It was such a rush, and I was feeling things I hadn’t felt toward Sean since high school. I needed a real relationship, not the façade that Sean and I were hiding behind.

Back to the date… Emilio showed up at 7 o’clock on the dot with a single red rose. I told him to drive us to a new restaurant downtown.



Poor Emilio must have been so confused. I had spent so much of the past 2 semesters turning him down, and now I had called him randomly and taken him to the most romantic restaurant in town.

“I wasn’t expecting you to call me so suddenly. What changed your mind?” he asked.



“I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we’re here and getting to know each other,” I smiled at him.



He laughed at that. “Kat, we’ve been friends for almost a year, I think we know each other already. Or at least, I know that I’ve waited for a long time to take you to a fancy place like this.”



I smiled, he was so romantic.

“Are you staying with your grandparents again this summer?” Emilio asked hopefully.



“No, I’m going home to be with Momma and help Sophia plan her wedding.”

“Oh, congratulations to your sister, I didn’t know she was engaged.”

“Yeah, it just happened last night,” I replied. “She and Pete are getting married next May.”

“Do you ever wish it was you getting married next summer?”

“No. I know I did the right thing by turning down Sean. I’m not ready. But I do want to get married someday.”

“Me too,” he said, and took my hand in his.

The bill came and Emilio insisted on paying for dinner, even though I offered and had planned to since I was the one who asked him out. Before we left, we wanted to watch the fish in the coy pond at the restaurant.
“I’ve been wanting to tell you how amazing you look tonight,” Emilio said, pulling me closer.



He took me in his arms and kissed me. I hadn’t realized he was such a good kisser. This time there was no guilt or shame. I knew this was the man I wanted to be with.



The restaurant had been getting more crowded, and a woman had sat down at the piano and started playing ‘The Way You Look Tonight.’ A few couples started dancing.

“Would you like to dance?” Emilio asked me.

“I’m not very good,” I protested.

“Just follow my lead,” he said, and swept me onto the dance floor.



I’d never ballroom danced before, but Emilio was great. As we twirled around he started singing along with the music. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful date.



------------------------------------------------

Emilio drove me home and walked me to my door where he kissed me goodnight.



“Kat? What the hell?!?” I heard someone yell from behind us. It was Damion.



“What are you doing here?” I spun around, bewildered.

“I’m here to see Kelli. I think the better question is what are you doing with… him? Does Sean know about this?”

Oh crap, I was caught. Damion would definitely tell Sean he saw me kissing another guy. The two of them had remained friends now that the rift between Kelli and Damion was over.

“Please don’t tell him. I need to do it myself, this is my issue,” I begged.



“You really had me fooled, walking around acting all sweet and leading on my friend. But here you are making out with some other fool. You’d better tell him, or I will.”



Just then Kelli walked out. “What going on out here? I thought I heard you Damion.”



“Did you know about this?” Damion demanded, pointing at Emilio.

“Babe, this really isn’t any of our business. Come on, let’s go,” Kelli said pulling Damion down the steps. “Sorry, Kat, I’ll calm him down.”



The two of them walked down the street, and I turned back to Emilio with a look that said ‘I’m sorry.’



“You’re still with Sean?” Emilio asked, looking hurt.

“No, I mean yes. I haven’t had time to talk to him, but I will,” I explained.

“I can’t be your dirty little secret Kat. I want all of you… or nothing,” he said.

“I’ll tell him, I promise. You’re the one I want to be with.”