A KISS TO REMEMBER

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"I had a great time today. How would you like to go for dinner on Wednesday evening?" Bill asked at Leslie's doorstep after an enjoyable Sunday at the amusement park.

Leslie's response was one Bill had never heard before and likely would not hear again: "Yes, it was a fun day. But I'm getting married on Saturday."

That one came out of left field, and the look on Bill's stunned face told all that needed to be said in response, but some reply was expected. "You're kidding, right?" was the best he could supply.

"No, " she replied. "I'm afraid it's true. Look, we've had fun together, but I'm getting married, so this is it. You're a nice guy and will find someone special."

"OK, " he searched for a fitting farewell. "Well, good luck, I guess. I mean with your marriage." Turning to make his exit, Bill stumbled, nearly falling from the porch.

"Well, if that doesn't beat all, " he said to himself while driving away. "Why the heck has she been going out with me the past few weeks if she knew she was getting married? And where was he when we were on dates?"

It sounds too bizarre to believe, but this was only one example of the encounters Bill faced during the first year after divorce.

He'd struggled to make his new home in a city across the state from the town he and his ex-wife had lived in for seven years. Thinking that some feminine company would help him relax and rebuild his life, he'd jumped into the dating world a bit too soon, perhaps, or so it now looked in retrospect.

It hadn't gone well up to now. There was the girl who fell for him, despite his attempts to tell her he didn't feel the same. She'd stalked him for weeks, creating a few ugly scenes. Bill was beginning to wonder if he wouldn't be better off alone.

As he sat on the edge of his bed, before turning out the bedside lamp for the night, Bill thought about the funny little twists of fate and how things in life always seem to happen with your best interests in mind. Today had been very much one of those days. A day that, for months, seemed like it would never happen.

You see, there was this girl. Bill smiled to himself as he thought about that. Doesn’t it always seem to be about a girl? Bill's post-divorce dating experiences had been mostly categorized as "Scary, " but he kept trying, although no one girl had held his interest for any time. It didn’t take long to see why most of these women were single. Issues! They all had issues! Not to say that Bill was totally free of his own baggage, but, by comparison, he thought he’d made it to this point of life relatively free of that sort of thing.

Money was very tight, as he'd taken a job he was overqualified for due to the tough economy. The pay wasn't great, but there were benefits, and he needed immediate income upon arriving in the new town.

The job he accepted was with the public school system. Hopefully, the evening hours would keep him grounded, giving him time to think and get his life back on course. He worked as an evening custodian in an elementary school after everyone had gone home at the end of their day, save for a few teachers who occasionally stayed late to organize their lessons. Bill became cordial friends with a few, who sympathized with his plight but could offer little help.

Anyway... There was this girl.

Online dating seemed the only way to meet women in a strange town, but his in-person meetings with those he met online had turned out poorly. Maybe the good ones were all taken. Bill had all but decided to take a break from dating.

Although lonesome, the early results of isolation had worked out alright. With no friends here, he devoted his free time to watching baseball on TV and teaching himself to cook. He was starting to see results if it was only his opinion.

Bill was fiercely independent, a trait that might not have been his best ally in the search for the right woman. In his eyes, he was a good catch, but always seemed to end up with the wrong woman.

His independence could largely be attributed to his years of self-employment. An entrepreneur by nature, Bill had previously owned and operated several business ventures during his adult years, most of which met with only marginal success.

His entrepreneurial spirit didn't fit well with anyone telling him what to do. He reserved the right to make his own decisions, right or wrong. He certainly wouldn't tolerate a woman who thought she could enforce her opinions on him. He'd sooner go through life alone.

Given his history, it's understandable that Bill had become very cautious in dating.

II.

In many ways, Karen was quite the opposite of Bill. She had a successful career, friends, and children. By all accounts, she had the perfect life. But her husband had been untrue, leaving her to continue alone, which was not an easy task for an unmarried woman.

Whatever the reason, Karen was also perusing the online dating apps. As fate would have it, she came upon Bill's profile. Of course, he soon sent her a message, despite the 50-mile distance between the two. The couple messaged frequently for a few weeks, finally deciding they should meet. It wasn't a decision Karen made without trepidation, much like Bill.

Karen had a head start on Bill. She'd been divorced for nearly two years as Bill struggled through his first. Her charming personality had won her many friends, which was made easier, considering she'd lived in the same town her entire life. Her friends were male and female. She dated and went out with the girls, leaving her alone rarely. Still, something was missing; a reason to keep her search alive.

She wasn't sure about Bill. He seemed nice, but he was too recently divorced, Karen thought. As hard as he tried to hide it, his hurt was evident. Karen felt for him, but it was more than that, although she couldn't explain her reasons for interest.

Another red flag was the distance. "Why would he want to travel so far for a date?" she wondered. The next day, she was having lunch with her best friend, Sally. Karen knew she could trust her opinion.

"Why are you overthinking this, Karen?" was Sally's reaction. "This isn't like you. You're not marrying him. Just go out with him a time or two and see what you think."

The thing was, over some four months since first contacting this girl, today would be only the second time he’d ever been out with her. Of all the women living within a 20-mile radius, Bill mused about how and why he was still interested in this one living 50 miles away. He had repeatedly told himself and her that the distance was too great to consider dating. Yet, they were still talking.

Bill liked knowing they each enjoyed photography, traveling, and watching old movies. Karen had told him she likes snuggling on the couch while watching an old movie. He especially enjoyed hearing that she loves to kiss since he had always considered himself a good kisser.

Similar interests kept them talking, but money was tight. The price of gasoline, and most everything else, had spiraled out of control to the point that dating was almost unaffordable for Bill. With recent bad experiences fresh in his mind, he seemed stuck, but recently they had both felt caged up and had decided to meet at a point of equal distance from each other.

Without any plans, they chose to meet at a quiet little park with a lake and a few scattered benches. A shaded walkway wandered along the lakeshore and through sunbathed flower gardens. As it turned out, this would be the setting for what Bill and Karen would each look back on as a day to remember.

Not wishing to hide anything, Bill had told Karen about his financial struggles very early in their conversations. Much to his delight, it didn't seem to be a concern. That information would be enough to send most women running.

Still, Bill's lack of a comfortable income continued to bother him. His refrigerator was nearly empty, yet he planned a trip that would take gas and a dinner for two. He'd almost talked himself into canceling twice, but his loneliness ultimately won out. The date was kept.

Once they'd made plans to meet, the time passed slowly until the time had finally come. A morning shower had passed, leaving the flowers looking particularly vibrant. Their fragrance was intoxicating, and the green plants seemed just a bit greener after the rain. Or, was that just the way Bill would remember it?

III.

The air was cool and fresh when Bill arrived and stepped out of his car. Karen was already there, sitting on a bench overlooking the lake. Making enough noise so as not to startle her, Bill was pleased by his first reaction to Karen's image as he approached, "Hello Karen, " he greeted when within a few steps.

Obviously, she had heard him before he spoke. She rose and faced him, unsure how to greet him on their first meeting. In a smooth and natural sequence, they reached for each other, embracing in a brief hug.

Any reservations Bill might have had about meeting today were put aside by Karen’s easy smile and the electricity that ran from his fingertips to his toes, as they lightly brushed cheeks with the modest greeting hug. Although he wasn’t sure if Karen noticed, he was, from that moment, lost for the day. She had him under that hypnotic spell only a woman of interest can unknowingly cast over a man smitten. It’s at times like these when it’s apparent that man is very much the weaker sex.

"Hi, Bill. Did you think this day would come? It seems so seldom that online contacts ever become in-person meetings."

Smiling at the thought, Bill replied, "I'm not so much surprised that we're meeting, but I'm glad we've made it past the initial greeting without being repulsed by each other's appearance. That puts us ahead of most first meetings!"

With the warm sun mixed with light breezes, they were called on a leisurely stroll along the path following the lakeshore. Karen was light and breezy, and Bill floated along beside her while trying to maintain the illusion that he was in control of the afternoon’s agenda.

Her smile captivated Bill with an irresistible pair of cute little dimples that accented her shoulder-length auburn hair that he could only imagine running his fingers through. Talk came surprisingly free and easy between them. Recent outings had generally found Bill searching for things to talk about. But Karen was different. He quickly forgot about the distance and any other reasons he had used to convince himself not to risk getting involved with this lady. Today was a day they had decided they both needed. Work had been draining, and an afternoon of leisure with unpressured company, the company of the opposite sex, seemed to be the perfect antidote.

Knowing that Karen enjoyed wine and fresh fruit, Bill had packed a basket with a red and white checkered tablecloth to spread out on the ground under a tree that overlooked the lake. The tree was on a hillside that Bill thought would be quiet while allowing for a perfect spot to watch the sun drop over the horizon. The afternoon passed quickly as the two shared stories and laughter, which likely would have been lost on others. They just seemed to click.

As the sun lowered, its light illuminated the sparkle Bill had already noticed in Karen’s brown eyes. Seeing it was a bit bright for her comfort, Bill touched her cheek gently, turning it so the sun would not be uncomfortable for her. Taking the cue, Karen leaned into Bill’s touch, and he pulled her to his chest. The warmth of her body mingled with his, and if he hadn’t already known, the soft fragrance of Karen’s hair only served to attest to the fact that Bill was lost for the remainder of the day. One hand drew her face close to his shoulder, as he buried his nose and breathed deeply her hair's fresh scent. He couldn’t help but plant one soft kiss on the top of her forehead, addicted to the feel of the texture of her hair and skin against his, as well as to the way she welcomed his face being there.

As the lake-cooled breeze sent a shiver through Karen's body, Bill draped his sports coat over her shoulders, and talk was soon no longer the focus, Bill's words seemed less important while he held Karen closely as they watched the setting sun drop into the horizon across the lake. He instinctively dropped an arm around Karen’s waist, and there they remained until the chirping crickets announced the arrival of twilight.

After a time, Karen got up and walked a few feet to the old rock retaining wall where the waves lapped against the shore. Admiring her silhouette momentarily, Bill rose and walked to Karen. Approached from behind, he slipped his arms around her waist, somehow knowing her thoughts were on that distance he had often begrudged, so limiting the chances of them spending an appreciable amount of time together.

Bill decided he wouldn't let that come between them after such an enjoyable day together. After all, they had chosen to spend this time together as a diversion from their busy schedules. Now, as daylight was rapidly being replaced by moonlight, he realized their time was growing short.

Turning Karen to face him, Bill drew her body again close to his. Her warmth and soft skin reminded him of what had been missing for some time. They held the embrace wordlessly. No words needed to be spoken while their bodies spoke so eloquently. Karen looked up at Bill, feeling a warm contentment take control of her body.

Having watched Karen’s lips form words all afternoon, Bill now gently touched them for the first time with his fingertips. As her lips parted slightly, he ever so lightly traced their curve as she offered no resistance. A soft sigh escaped her lips as Bill's forefinger slowly traced her lower lip to where it became her chin, lifting her face softly until their eyes met.

Bill saw in Karen’s eyes an endearing warmth, and a hunger to match that of his own. A gentle breeze suddenly caused a tendril of hair to fall to Karen's face. Taking it as the romance god’s way of telling him that now was the moment, he gently brushed it from her face, slowly caressing her cheek, causing her to smile. He playfully touched the resulting dimples. Although they were both well aware that “playful” wasn’t what they were thinking.

Bill’s fingertips slowly traced every inch of Karen’s face. He paid special attention to her eyebrows, as well as her hairline across her forehead. Slowly and gently, he traced it to her temples and behind her left earlobe. His other hand rose and slipped through her auburn hair until it found the nape of her neck. Looking deeply into her eyes, his hands cupped her face.

The soft warmth of Karen's face had become hot, and Bill drew his face close. His lips grazed against her forehead, then teased her eyebrows, before brushing against her cheek. Slowly and seductively, Bill’s lips breezed across her ear and then discovered her neck.

The first taste of Karen’s neck was from an ever-so-soft flick of his tongue. His breath quickened just a bit as her taste reached his senses. Again, their eyes locked onto each other’s. At this moment, they each knew where their lips wanted to be. Bill’s lips met Karen’s with a soft, lingering kiss as if cupping her lower lip between his until he let it slip free.

Her eyes again met his as he held her face between his hands. Their kiss resumed with a passionate urgency needing release. The next couple of hours were something that Bill would replay often in his mind over time. First kisses that kindle sparks such as they did today can never be forgotten.

Later that night, as the bedside light went out and Bill’s bedroom turned to darkness, his lips still felt the tingle of Karen’s presence. Her fragrance lingered, as he fell into peaceful sleep, doubtlessly with dreams of the day, with its waves of kisses and caresses. Memories of the looks between the two split through the darkness, and caressed the contented man to his contented sleep.