MY PRETEND WIFE

A Promise

Richard and Maine finally bid Warren and Laura goodbye as soon as the girls returned from the bathroom.

"I hope we could meet up again soon" Laura said with a smile as she gave Maine a hug.

"We can take you on a tour around the city" Warren suggested. "We can show you the different interesting spots that only true blue New Yorkers know about"

"That's a great idea" Richard agreed. "Thank you so much for the offer" he said with a smile. He extended his hand to both Warren and Laura and bid them both goodbye.

"We'll see you again soon" Maine said smiling at the couple who have become their instant friends.

After waving goodbye, Richard and Maine started heading down the sidewalk towards their apartment. They did not bother taking the car as the restaurant was near enough and it was a beautiful day to take a walk. As they walked down the block, Richard reached out and took Maine's hand. Maine looked at Richard in surprise but she did not say anything. She looked at their intertwined hands in wonder. They've never really held hands before except during occasional affairs such as formal dinners for the company where in people would be watching them. Holding hands simply because they were walking on the street was something very new to her. The simple gesture exuded an aura of "togetherness" and she couldn't help but imagine that even just for a moment they were a normal couple in a normal relationship. The feel of Richard's hand on hers was very comforting and she did not want to let go.

They walked in comfortable silence enjoying the sights and sounds of the busy city. Richard did not let go of her hand all through out and she felt her cheeks flush as she felt him caressing her palm with his thumb.

"Did you have fun during lunch?" Maine asked breaking the silence. She wanted to distract herself from the wave of emotions that he was causing her.

"Yes I did" Richard said as he looked at Maine with a small smile on his face. "Warren is very knowledgeable about art. He actually got me interested in sculpting"

Maine smiled back. "So are you going to give it a try?" She asked.

"Maybe, I think I'll try it out just for fun. Warren suggested a few good books on sculpting that I can check out" Richard replied.

Maine was glad that he seemed to have hit it off with Warren given he was quite wary about him initially.

As they were walking they passed by a small flower stand. "Flowers, get your flowers here" the lady manning the stall called out to them with a smile. Maine couldn't help but smile at the burst of colorful flowers displayed. Richard glanced at his wife and saw the smile on her face. He started to head towards the stall pulling Maine along with him.

"Where are we going" Maine asked in confusion. She had a bewildered expression on her face as Richard stopped in front of the flower stall.

"What beautiful flowers you have" Richard commented smiling back at the lady behind the stall.

"Thank you" the lady replied with a pleased look in her eyes. "We have a lot of different kinds of flowers available. Why don't you get some for the lovely lady beside you?" She suggested.

"Do you have some red tulips by any chance?" Richard inquired.

"Yes, as a matter of fact we do" the lady replied.

"Then I would like a dozen please" Richard requested his hand tightening around Maine's.

"Honey?" Maine said with a questioning look in her eyes. He glanced at her offering her a smile but did not say anything.

The lady finally returned holding an exquisite bouquet of red tulips and handed it over to Richard. He accepted them with a smile as he thanked and paid the lady. He then turned towards Maine and handed the bouquet to her.