Dandelion Lover

I was looking forward to this night out, my employees all deserved praise for a job well done and they were looking at another month of hard work coming their way. I had to keep them happy so the work would go smoothly, that's why from time to time I organized these outings, so we could get together and just have fun.

It started like any other party, everyone was drinking and having fun, and even the shiest of them made a few jokes in between drinks. I quickly noticed that Katelyn, who, as I was expecting, had come with that newly bought white dress, was drinking a bit too much and I could tell she was a lightweight simply by how flushed her cheeks became in no time.

With each drink, she laughed more but at the same time her eyes seemed to also stay closed for longer and her movements were slowed down. After a few more drinks I noticed she got up to go outside. I was only worried that she would feel sick but apparently, Rob was already taking care of her in more ways than one.

I was almost shocked at the generous display of affection, I always saw her as the really shy type who was ignorant in the love department. But maybe I was wrong, as she didn't seem to shy away from him. And when I remembered how she had almost fallen when we had met at the store, I felt almost insulted.

She looked relaxed in his arms when she couldn't even make eye contact with me. It left me feeling unsatisfied although I wasn't sure why.

Soon people started leaving for their homes and while Rob, Vivian, and Adrian stayed behind, I offered to take the rest home as I was the only one who hadn't had any alcohol. I dropped Jonny at his house and after a while, we arrived at Ann's. She got out of the car and almost forgot to tell me where Kate lived, but she returned with a smirk and grabbing my phone she typed the address in.

"Remember to take her to the door like a gentleman!" Ann shouted as she made her way to her own place with a wobbly step.

I was soon on the road again and in no time I reached her home. Katelyn was sleeping peacefully while leaning on the car door, with her legs stretched all over the rear seats of the car, and her hands dangling by her side.

It was quite funny to see her, who was always so guarded, just laying relaxed on the back seat, not a care in the world. The way she had played around before, in the store, soon popped into my head and I started laughing.

"Katelyn, you're home, wake up." I tried to coax her awake but to no avail. I got out of the car and opened the back door, carefully moving her legs so her dress won't slip up higher than it already was. She stirred and her eyebrows moved to form a frown on her face; her lips made it look like she was pouting and she seemed to be waking up only to turn towards me.

As she opened her eyes, I noticed their color had changed to a deep blue and they were now smiling brightly along with her lips which were turned upwards in an almost sheepishly grin. She looked straight at me and then I noticed her eyes dropping to look at my hand.

It hit me then... I froze looking at my hands that were holding her legs but unable to let go.

"Are you finally awake now?" I managed to say with my voice cracking a bit. My throat felt dry and my mind was furiously searching for a way to explain the situation, but when she didn't answer I looked back up only to see her stare directly at my face.

"You don't scare me." she slurred as she sat up and her feet lifted easily from my hands. She was sitting with her back straight, her legs neatly placed before her and her arms laying on top of her knees. "You can't scare me even with your handsome face." she continued mumbling, oblivious to my surprised look.

"Does my handsome face scare you?" I asked in a serious tone, trying to control myself not to laugh and to pretend I was having a normal discussion with her.

"Yes... I mean it can't... no..." she corrected herself and I had to try my best to hear her as her head was now looking at the ground and her voice became softer.

"Are you sure about that?" I insisted on continuing the conversation as I felt she was falling asleep again. I tried to keep her talking in order to deliver her back home without having to carry her like a kid. Or maybe that was just what I told myself so I had an excuse to taunt her a little. It was definitely fun to see her fl.u.s.tered and her drunken state was quite similar. I seated myself near her when she didn't answer.

"Let's get you home now." My hand stretched towards her shoulder wanting to shake her awake, but as soon as she heard the words, she lifted her head and looked me straight in the eyes. At that moment I forgot where I was and what I was supposed to do. Her eyes felt like they contained the deep ocean that was now overflowing.

Streams made their way to her cheeks and that made me panic more than I ever thought it would. Almost on instinct I placed my hand on the back of her neck and pulled her into my embrace. Her whole body was snuggled in my arms and I could feel a sweet fragrance coming from her, a scent that reminded me of the first day I saw her, the aroma of vanilla.

"Shush, don't cry..." I tried to comfort her by slightly rocking her in my arms like she was a baby.

"I don't want... to... go... home." she finally said with a coarse voice tired from crying and breathing heavily.

"Did something happen?" I asked when she managed to calm down a bit but was still having trouble breathing.

"I'm just... so tired..." she answered in between her sobs and now seemed more or less alert.

"It's okay Kat, life is tiring sometimes and it can suck, but nothing can compare to the joys it can bring." and wiping the last tears from her face I pulled her into another embrace.

Her body completely surrendered to my will and the darkness and stillness of the night sheltered us from the rest of the world. The only sound I could make out was her labored breathing which didn't seem to become better. I pushed her away gently and looked at her.

She seemed to had reverted back to her shy personality and she was fiddling with the strap of her purse. All of a sudden it felt like we were thrown out back into the busy street and the heavy realization of where we were, woke me up.