It was the day before Valentine’s Day. We were on our lunch hour, sitting on a bench across from our offices. Brandy had been dating jerks! I swear, I couldn’t understand it; I sat right next to her everyday and she didn’t even realize how I felt. We have lunch together at least twice a week. She’s been to my place. I’ve been to hers. But only as friends, to watch a game, prepare reports, or even to help move furniture.
Brandy was telling me she had enough with her latest. “I couldn’t take him anymore,” she said. “All he ever thought about was himself. I don’t think I’ll ever find the love I am looking for, Mark.”
On the outside, I kept my cool, making a face of consideration. I put my best – I am really pondering what you are saying face on. But inside my heart was jumping with joy. I’ve caught the pass and am racing toward the end zone. “What’s he done now?” I asked, hoping it was something really bad and heartless.
“He tried to kiss my sister!’ she said.
“He what?” I said shocked. My heart was now doing back flips like an Olympian. I was sure she’d be able to see it pounding in my chest. “And she told you?”
“Well of course she told me. She’s my sister.” She put her face in her hands.
I couldn’t think of what to say. If I spoke to quickly, I’d sound happy, and even though my heart was now spiking the football and doing it’s touchdown dance, I couldn’t let her know it. I couldn’t let her think I was happy about this no-account, ugly, stinky, smelly, loser finally screwing up. I opened my mouth, but all that came out was, “Oh.”
She lifted her head and wiped her tears away. “I can’t let this get to me, Mark. I can’t think about this any more right now. We’ve got to go back to work. I don’t want anyone to know I’ve been crying.”
I put my arm around her and gave her my napkin. “You’ll be fine, Brandy. Don’t worry. He doesn’t deserve someone like you. You’ve got everything going for you. You’re smart and kind. You are successful. Everyone at work knows you’re the backbone of the operation. And you’re beautiful.”
“No, Mark, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are, Brandy.” I rubbed her shoulder. “You’re the finest, most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
She lifted her head and turned towards me. “You’re just saying that.”
“No, no I’m not. It’s all true, Brandy. Anyone would die to be with you.”
“Mark, that is so sweet. But I know your just saying these things because you’re my friend. And you know I am hurting right now.”
“No, no, I’m not, Brandy. He is a jerk. You treated him so good and he is just a jerk that’s all. You’ve been looking too hard for love.” I brushed her hair back. “Sometimes when you look too hard, you miss the obvious. Love can be right there in front of you and you just don’t see it.”
“Oh, Mark. That’s nice. But its so cliché and love doesn’t work that way.”
“I’m afraid it does, Brandy. And I know it all too well.”
She sniffed. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, Brandy, I can’t. You’ll think I’m a fool.”
She put her hand on my arm. “Please, Mark. Please go on.”
I stood up and walked to the fence surrounding the park. “Its so beautiful outside today.”
Brandy stood up and followed me. She brushed against me and stood next to me gazing into the park. “Please go on, Mark. I have a feeling I know what you’re going to say.”
I turned toward her. “Brandy.” I held her hand and she turned towards me. “Brandy, I’m not sure I can say this without crying.” I could feel my eyes welling up. I kept telling myself inside – Don’t cry; don’t cry.
She leaned into me and whispered into my ear, “Please, Mark. Tell me.”
Her golden hair was so soft against my cheek. Her scent was roses. I couldn’t tell her to her face. I didn’t want to give up this unexpected embrace. I whispered back to her, “I love you, Brandy. I have loved you from the moment they assigned you to our department. I didn’t believe in love at first sight until then.”
“Oh, Mark.” She didn’t try to pull away. She kept me close.
I continued to whisper, “I do love you. It is getting harder each day. I have to sit there next to you day after day, feeling these feelings that I can do nothing about. I watch you walk down the hallway. My heart leaps when I see you in the morning. I cherish each Tuesday and Friday because we usually have lunch together on those days. I have never felt this way about anyone before.”
“Mark.”
“I get up in the morning thinking about you. I go to bed thinking about you. I get dressed thinking maybe she’ll like the color of this shirt.”
“Mark, Mark…. I….”
I interrupted her, “I know, I know, Brandy, friends should never date. It screws up a friendship. I have heard it all before. That’s why I’ve got to change jobs. I can’t do this anymore. I’m going to put in for a transfer. I’d rather keep you as a friend then lose you completely.”
She pulled back a little, but kept her arms on my arms. “Mark, I think you’re right about transferring.”
My heart, which had minutes ago been leaping, was now breaking. I knew there was going to be tears. “I’ll put in for it in the…”
She put her finger to my lips. “Let me finish. I think you should put in for a transfer because we’ll never get any work done sitting next to our lovers.”
“What?’ I said, choking. Now I was wiping tears from my own eyes.
“I love you too, Mark. All this time I have felt the same way. I have always loved you. I never thought I had a chance with you. Your beautiful eyes captured my heart the moment I looked into them. I have wanted and wondered about this, for it seems like eternity.”
“About what?” I asked.
“This.” She pulled me toward her and kissed me deeper and with more passion then I had ever been kissed before.
I knew from that day on, Brandy and I would be in love forever. After all, the next day was Valentine’s day.