They started out as friends.
Talked for hours on the phone.
Went out for pizza or to the
movies when they didn’t have
any other plans. Some
Saturday nights they would
order in spicy Thai food
while watching classic or
foreign movies.
They didn’t know exactly
when their feelings for
each other began to
change. Perhaps it was
the afternoon when they
went to the amusement
park and rode on the
She held on to the pole
laughing as Tony tried
to take a photo of her.
Then, on the spur of the
moment, he leaned forward
and kissed her. It seemed
perfectly natural but she
was no longer laughing.
When the ride stopped
and he helped her
down, their eyes held
for a long moment. They
were very close to each
other and his hands were
still holding her by the
waist. Her legs were
a bit wobbly and she
held on to him for a
while longer until she
no longer needed the
support.
When they were
standing outside of
the park and away
from the crowd, he
stopped and pulled
her aside. “I’m sorry
about just now,” he said.
“I shouldn’t have kissed
you. I hope you’re not
angry with me.”
“I kissed you back,” she
said. “Where do we
go from here, Tony?”
He moved closer, his
expression serious
as his eyes searched
her face. “Where would
you like us to go, Nicole?”
She reached up and
kissed him. “Does this
answer your question?”
she asked minutes
later when she drew
back to look up
at him.
“Yes, it does” he said.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“Famished,” he replied, rubbing
his stomach. They laughed.
“I am in the mood for
some Penne arrabiata.”
“So am I,” he agreed, reaching
for her hand and lacing his
fingers through hers
as they walked to
their favorite Italian
bistro.
That was two years ago.
Now they were engaged.
Their wedding was in
two months. Before going
on their honeymoon, they
planned to go back on
the carousel ride–where
for them, the journey from
friendship to romance began.
