Overcoming The Lie

Chapter 5

Mark and Addison went their separate ways home to get cleaned up. After showering, Addison had the sudden feeling she should dress nicer for dinner. Usually she doesn't care what she wears around Mark, but this felt different. Shaking it off, she decided on a white, low back, halter neck dress that accentuated her curves without being too tight. She paired it with some simple strappy heels and gold earrings. After looking over her outfit two more times, Addison drove over to Mark's place and rang his doorbell. When Mark answered, he lost his breath. She looked even more stunning than ever. He had always known she was beautiful, but tonight she literally took his breath away. After finding his air, Mark welcomed her in and walked over to grab his keys and wallet. As he walked back towards her, Addison couldn't help but notice how fitting Mark's suit was. He was dressed in navy blue Armani suit that was perfectly tailored in all the right places. She caught herself ogling and quickly moved her gaze to his face. When their eyes met, they became lost in each other. After what seemed an eternity, Addison cleared her throat, breaking the trance and they continued to his car.

Mark never told Addison where they were going to dinner, but since they were both dressed for the occasion, he decided on a lovely French restaurant by the water. When they arrived, he opened her car door and offered his arm for her. They walked together inside and were quickly seated in a quiet corner. Mark ordered some pinot noir wine for them both, knowing it is Addison's favorite, and they quickly settled in to easy conversation. Dinner came and went, while they were both talking and catching up as if they hadn't spoken in weeks. Addison thought that this dinner might be difficult for her as she was still upset about the David situation. And it was at first but talking with Mark and enjoying time together outside of work was very welcomed and her pain subsided for a while.

After a few hours, they left the restaurant and decided to walk along the beach. Soon enough they would need to head back to the hospital to check on Marli, and they wanted to soak up as much time as they could. As they walked, their conversation quieted as they quietly listened to the waves crashing on the sand. Then Mark slowed their pace until they came to a stop and he turned towards Addison. He took in how beautiful she was, how the moon lit up her face and her red hair loosely outlines her neck and shoulders. His eyes returned to hers and he caught her doing the same thing. They both stood, inches apart, flickering their eyes down to the other's lips and back again. Before he knew it, Mark was leaning in closer and Addison helped close the gap. As they kissed the whole world seemed to fall away, all their troubles and worries slipped from their mind, and there only focus was on each other. And how sweet that moment was. A few moments passed before they broke apart, slightly out of breath and completely entranced by one another.

"Wow."

"Yeah, wow. Addy, I didn't realize how much I had wanted to kiss you until I finally did."

"Mark, you mean so much to me. And that kiss, that kiss was something else. Maybe it is the wine talking, but I do not regret that."

"Neither do I. This may seem crazy, but I love you Addison Adrianne. I have loved you for many years. You are my best friend, and I don't want to make things weird. But I felt that needed to be said."

"It is not crazy or weird. You have always been there for me when I needed you the most. To be honest, I am still a little hurt about the whole David thing, but that never changed the way I feel about you. You mean the world to me, Mark. I love you too." As those four words left her mouth, Mark stepped up and kissed her again. Their first kiss was warm and heartfelt, whereas this kiss was much more loving and passionate. Addison wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close as he held her waist to him. Eventually they had to break for air, and began walking back to the car, hand in hand. The air between them was full of light and desire, as if reading their minds. Mark silently drove back to his house, with his hand holding hers in her lap. Addison never stopped looking at him, taking in all his features. It was like she was seeing him for the first time, and in a way, it was. They had been friends for so many years, but now there was more. It was not long after they arrived at Mark's house that their lips met again and their feet led them to his bedroom.