So, Here I Am

Chapter Twenty Seven Larry and Issy

They spent the next few days just chilling, binge watching box sets on Netflix, walking on the beach, a little shopping, at Larry's insistence, when he bought Issy a pair of gorgeous silver drop earrings. She loved them, of course, precisely because he had bought them for her.

It was their last evening there, and he had a surprise evening planned for them. He told her to dress up, and as he had planned this before they even left L.A., he had packed accordingly.        He had on tight black jeans, the RIGHT way round this time, in honour of his friend, and boy, did it feel weird ! White T shirt with the Winged Feet logo, black leather jacket, M.J's, and a black snapback with the word TROUBLE embroidered on it.

-- 'Bout right, --- he thought, checking his reflection -- not bad --

When Issy emerged from her room, he caught his breath, she looked stunning.  She was wearing a simple little black dress with a plunging neckline, silver jewellery, and of course, his earrings. But the way the dress hugged her figure, was, he couldn't even put it into words, well just one      --wow ---.   Seeing her like this, now, made him think, why had no guy in his right mind, never snapped her up ?  He was a lucky man to be able to call this amazing woman his friend, his best friend.

The doorbell rang, breaking him out of his daydream.  It was their car.  Helping her into the back seat, with a "Thank you sir", they got comfortable.   "Oooh, champagne, how lovely " Issy cooed, reveling in his attention and the fuss he was making of her this evening.

"Is this a taste of our evening ahead?"

"You'll have to wait and see, won't you?" he said, holding her hand, kissing her knuckles lightly.

Her heart was in her mouth.  -- Not this again!--- she couldn't handle it if this was going to be a repeat of that awful evening in her apartment.  -- calm down girl, just suck it up -- just have a lovely evening with a lovely man --- no more, no less ----

"Where are we going?"

Larry "Nope. Nothing. Surprise"    He was so lovely.  Any girl who .....   -- STOP. Just stop ---            By the time they had finished their champagne, they had arrived at their destination. Larry stepped out of the car, and held his hand out to help Issy out, and as she did, her dress fell open, revealing a beautiful shapely thigh.   Larry was mesmerised, rooted to the spot temporarily, his eyes couldn't leave the sight in front of him.  -- wow -- shit -- wow -- help -- his brain had turned to mush.    Back to reality.

Larry" You trust me, right ?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Not right now, no"

He turned her around, and placed a silk scarf gently over her eyes, carefully tying it in the back, so as not to catch her hair.  She had to trust him, but that had never been a problem, it was a given. He took her hand and started leading her down a pathway, she could feel the uneven stones under her feet, could smell the night jasmine in the warm breeze, and smell and hear the ocean not far away.

Larry was holding her hand, yes, but his other hand was at the small of her back, guiding her, reassuring her, talking to her all the way, telling her how to navigate what she couldn't see. A few more steps, and they stopped. He stood behind her, turning her shoulders slightly, so that when he took off the blindfold, she would see exactly what he wanted her to see.

"Ready ?  3......2,.......1 !"

He removed the blindfold, and after taking a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the light, her eyes opened wide at the sight that awaited her.

"Larry, Oh my God !!! ... I........ don't know what to say !! ....."

"Say you love it"

"Of course I love it, how can I not !" she was overwhelmed at what was before her.                      They were stood on a terrace overlooking the sea, one table set for two, candles were everywhere, on the stone floor, the walls, the steps, everywhere. Night Jasmine, her favourite flower, overflowed from terracotta pots on the low walls circling the terrace, and on the steps that led everywhere, or maybe to nowhere. The terrace was on a promontary high above the water, the lights of Malibu twinkling in the distance.                                                                                      She knew it looked familiar, and then realised they were at her favourite restaurant.                      She turned back to look at it, and it was lit up like a Christmas tree, but it was empty. She looked at Larry, slightly puzzled    "I bought every table in the restaurant, so we could be alone. Just us"  He smiled his sweetest smile, and now she would cry, trying her hardest not to.