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Setting a Date
Trish woke up with a smile on her face. She stretched lazily but was happy to get up in spite of the early hour. The way she saw it, it was a bright new day, and her future was looking sunny.
She showered and quickly dressed. She didn't eat, as she was meeting Randy for brunch instead of the usual breakfast with the girls at Mom's On Park Avenue.
She was so excited, she could hardly wait. However, the blonde felt a small twinge of nervousness come over her. Although they were engaged and definitely getting married - she had the engagement ring and now the dress to prove it - they still had yet to set a date for the wedding. She had definite plans to bring up that subject to her fiance when she saw him later.
Trish checked her reflection one last time, smiling at her appearance. She had her blonde hair slightly curled, her makeup done to perfection. She was wearing one of her sundresses - it was pale yellow with a white floral print. She had put on an adorable pair of white heeled sandals. She was definitely looking her best and knew her man would appreciate that.
Shortly thereafter, she was outside, a slight bounce in her step as she headed for the coffee shop across the street, on the corner. Randy had specifically chosen that place since it was so close to Trish's apartment.
Naturally, she was the first to arrive. Her fiance lived a bit more uptown, so he had more traveling time than she did. She smiled prettily at the hostess, who instantly headed her way.
"I have a reservation," the blonde said. "Two for Mr. Randall Orton."
The woman consulted the little book of reservations she held in her hands.
"Ah, yes - we have a table for you. But you're the only one here... Would you like to wait for your companion here, or at the table?"
"The table will be fine," Trish replied.
She was sitting at a nice round table near a window a few minutes later when Randy suddenly appeared. He smiled as he made his way over to her.
"Good morning, sweetheart. Wow, you look gorgeous," he said, drinking in the sight of her with appreciation. He leaned down to press a quick kiss on her lips before sitting down across from her.
"Thank you," Trish said cheerfully. "And you don't look so bad yourself," she added, checking him out in his khakis and a gray polo shirt that nicely accentuated his trim but muscled form. He looked good enough to eat... But she shoved those sexual thoughts from her mind. She'd meant what she'd said about waiting to sleep with him. In her eyes, it would only make their relationship better to wait until they were actually married. And she could hardly wait. The anticipation was nearly killing her!
The waitress came by a few minutes later, and they ordered their food. While waiting, Trish took the opportunity to broach the subject that was currently on her mind.
"Honey? I wanted to talk to you about something."
When the dark-haired man eyed her questioningly, she continued.
"Let's set a date for our wedding," Trish suggested, crossing her arms on the table's top. She smiled as she spoke, anxious to hear his response.
"Sure," Randy replied. "Why don't you choose the date, Trish?"
The blonde's face fell.
"Me? Me alone?"
"Sure... Why not?"
Trish opened her mouth to reply, but she hesitated. Inside, she felt a bit hurt. It seemed he was always so lax when it came to the sentimental things. For God's sake, Candice was right - he hadn't even technically proposed to her. Picking a wedding date - for their wedding, as it wasn't only hers - was something they should do together. She didn't understand him constantly allowing her to come up with all the details, all the ideas. This was supposed to be their lives, their futures - not just hers.
She sat there, silent as all of this whirled through her head. The waitress came by with their coffees and meals shortly thereafter, and Trish was still brewing inside.
She watched as her fiance picked up his cup to drink some of the piping-hot beverage. And that was when she knew she couldn't keep it in any longer.
"Honey?"
"Uh hmm?" he murmured, diving into his western omelet and toast.
"I don't think it's right that I be the one who decides everything," she said. "After all, I'm not the only one in this relationship."
The hint of despair mixed with aggravation in her voice caused the man to look up. In mid-chew, Randy searched her face, realizing what she was getting at, and how she felt. He sighed.
"Well, I just thought you should be the one to choose our wedding date," he offered. "I know the bride always likes everything to go just perfect since it's her special day."
Trish cocked her head and squarely met his eyes as she began poking at her peach pancakes with her fork.
"That's where you're wrong, Randy."
"I am?" he asked, guileless.
"Yes - because it's not just my special day, it's ours," she told him gently. "Come on, let's compromise and come up with an idea for a date - together."
Randy nodded between bites of his food. He swallowed and reached for his coffee again.
"Okay, sounds good. How about sometime next spring?"
Trish pouted.
"I was hoping we could get married a little sooner than that," she said. She clamped her mouth shut then, realizing she wasn't exactly compromising after all.
"How's fall, then?" Orton suggested. He took a gulp of coffee and noted the way his fiancee's beautiful brown eyes suddenly lit up.
"Yes, that would work!" she exclaimed, lightly clapping her hands together. "September twenty-first? How's that, the first day of autumn?"
"Sounds perfect to me," Randy said.
"Yay!" Trish squealed. She was suddenly so excited, even though she only had a few months to plan.