Alicia felt like a star, she had been preened and pampered to within an inch of her life.
She sat sipping a glass of champagne, her feet being massaged with peppermint oil when she heard someone calling her name.
"Alicia? Ok to come in?"
She smiled.
"Yes of course Luz, the doors open."
Luz laughed as she entered.
"Well, he really did mean he wanted to pamper you."
Alicia raised her glass.
"Would you like a drink?"
"Well, it would be rude to let you drink alone. Just let me give you this first though."
She took Alicia's glass off her and passed her a letter.
"It's from Lin."
"I think you might need to help me on this one Luz, not exactly equipped for reading."
Luz laughed. "Nope. Don't think I can help with this one. Open it."
Alicia frowned and opened the envelope. Carefully unfolding the letter inside.
Her confused face broke into a wide smile as she realised it was all in braille.
Luz spoke. "You know Lin. Doesn't like to do things by halves. I think your friend Luke gave him a hand."
"His did this himself?"
"He certainly did. I think the air was blue by the time he had finished, he had to start over quite a few times, writing right to left was a challenge but he was determined to do it."
Alicia ran her fingers gently over the words. Frowning in a couple of places but then laughing.
Luz smiled at her.
"Oh no. No. No tears you're going to ruin your make up." She grabbed a tissue and dabbed her eyes.
Alicia blinked quickly and laughed.
"I can't believe he's done this."
"Am I allowed to ask what he's said?"
Alicia went red. "He's just said that he can't wait to see me tonight, that he wouldn't want anyone else by his side.
He's also said I'm going to knock them out with my beauty just like I have done to him, well actually he's put I'm going to knick them out but I know what he meant."
She smiled, keeping the last line 'I can't wait to kiss you again' to herself.
Luz shook her head. "Yep. He's falling hard."
"I can't believe he did that. It must have taken him hours. It's like learning a whole new language."
The tears started to appear again and Luz quickly started to fan her with the envelope.
"Ok stop! Think of something else. Let's sing! Erm... How do you solve a problem like Maria. Come on join in!"
Alicia joined in as they both belted out the song laughing.
Lin pulled up in the car and pressed the downstairs intercom.
"Hey, it's me. You ready?"
Alicia smiled. "Yep. On my way down."
Luz walked in front of her.
"I want to see his reaction when he sees you."
She opened the door and walked towards him.
"Hello sweetheart." She kissed him on the cheek. "You look so handsome."
He kissed her back. "You may be biased mom but thank you."
Luz smiled. Reached into her bag she passed him a tissue.
"You're going to need this."
Lin frowned.
"Huh? Why what f...... holy shit!"
Luz smiled as Alicia appeared behind her. She patted Lin on the shoulder.
"Have a great evening. I'll speak to you tomorrow."
Lin nodded but couldn't speak.
He stepped towards her.
"Lis. Oh my God. You look beautiful, I mean you always look beautiful but tonight... fuck I can't breathe."
He laughed quickly and wiped his eyes. Grateful for the tissue.
"Really? Do I look ok? I don't want to let you dow...."
He stepped forward and took her face in his hands, kissing her gently.
"God I so want to kiss your face off right now but I don't want to spoil your make up."
She smiled cheekily.
"Save it till later. I don't want to be hot and bothered before we even get there."
He put his hands on her shoulders.
"Yes. Later. Just so you're aware though. If we are dating I'm going to make it my job to turn you on as much as possible in really awkward
situations."
Alicia gasped loudly.
"LIN!"
He laughed. "Problem?"
"No, no problem. You just took me by surprise."
"In a nice way?"
She rested her palm on his chest.
"Yes. A very nice way."
He pulled her towards him and held her tightly, whispering in her ear.
"Kind of don't want to go now."
She pulled back laughing.
"I have not spent my afternoon being coiffured and pummelled to not go."
He smiled.
"Yeah you're right. Anyway. I want to show you off."
"Oh, who too?"
"To fucking everyone!"
"Stop it. I don't look that good."
"Yes. Yes you do. God Lis. You've taken my breath away.
Fuck how have you not been snapped up already. I'm the luckiest guy."
She leaned towards him and kissed his cheek.
"You smell amazing." She ran her hand over his face gently feeling his freshly shaved goatee, then felt the soft velvet of his jacket.
"What colour is this?"
"Black velvet. With a white shirt. I've gone quite traditional."
"Well I'm the luckiest girl. I bet all the women will be jealous of me tonight. So we're even."
"I guess we are. Come on, your carriage awaits."
They got in the car and Lin turned to her.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, I think so. Bit nervous."
"I'm not leaving your side."
"I don't have a problem with you leaving my side. I'm sure you have people to speak to and I'm more than capable of navigating a room.
I'm just a bit anxious about saying something silly."
Lin sighed. "Fuck I'm sorry."
She frowned. "For what?"
"Bringing you tonight. It's a shitty first date. I'll make it up to you."
"Are you kidding! I've loved being pampered. I might not be able to see what I look like but I feel great.
I've had such a fun time with your mom."
Lin laughed. "Yeah she really likes you."
He hesitated.
"She's not the only one."
He ran his hand down her bare arm and felt her shiver.
"I do have to tell you something though. The press took a photo of us the other day outside the Rodger's. It's nothing bad I promise. But they have been doing some digging into your personal life.
I'm sorry."
Alicia frowned and sighed.
"It's not your fault."
"Well no, but they wouldn't be interested in you if it wasn't for me."
She smiled. "Nothing like blowing your own trumpet."
"Ha! Stop it. Definitely no trumpet blowing here."
"Really? Ok. Maybe blowing your own harmonica."
He laughed. "Ok, stop teasing me."
She held his hand and stroked it gently with her thumb.
"Sorry. Thanks for the heads up."
He nodded. "No problem"
Then muttered laughing quietly. "Fucking harmonica."
Alicia grinned and put her head on his shoulder.
