Once again, Erik’s cell phone went off. Seems he spent half of his life on that phone. This time it was a text from his older brother, Aaron. There was something going on at the Van Haute Mansion, did Erik want to go? Erik came downstairs to the ‘Music Room’, a third floor room where an additional flat screen TV was, along with a piano, a violin and a guitar. Kaitlyn was ensconced on the sofa perpendicular to the fireplace, watching a movie. An empty bowl of what had been popcorn sat on the coffee table. He could tell what the snack was by the leftover old maids, the unpopped kernels, that remained in the bottom of the bowl.
“Kaitie,” Erik greeted. She turned to gaze up at him. “Glad to see you’re still up. Aaron texted me and it seems there’s something going on at the Van Haute Mansion. Did you want to come along and check it out with me?”
“Hm, I dunno. I’m pretty into this movie, right now.”
“Might be dancing,” he urged, in a sing-songy voice. At this Kaitlyn swung her legs off the couch and jumped up.
“Count me in,” she said. “Next to singing, I love to dance.”
A dance party was exactly what was going on. Erik loved that Kaitlyn was just as excited about it as he was. He took her hand and gently pulled her to the back patio of the mansion. Lights were strung giving a gentle luminosity to the otherwise dark night. Erik almost drew himself up as he noted who all had turned out to this spontaneous invitation. Nervous, he spied both Leila and Tillie. This could throw a whole bucket of cold water on his evening. Shrugging it off, he decided he was weary of always having to hold back for fear of hurting others.
“Group dance!” Erik hollered, as he started them off. He was pleased that Kaitlyn knew the steps. They danced and they danced and they danced some more. It was a great night. If his two Ex’s took notice they didn't pitch a fit over it. Happily, they let him be, for which Erik was grateful. He’d already had more drama in his life than he cared for, as it was. Before the impromptu party broke up, he caught Kaitlyn by the arm, “Hey, let’s Selfie this moment, okay?”
“Sure, so long as you email me the picture.”
“You've got a deal,” he said.
They nearly danced all night long. In the wee hours, they headed over to a café not far from the mansion for some coffee and donuts. By the time they got back to Grayson Castle dawn was just breaking. The two decided to cloud gaze for a bit, just outside of the walls of the castle. Built on the island, the lulling sounds of the crashing surf against the cliffs wafted gently on the sea breeze. Erik and Kaitlyn just truly enjoyed spending time together, it didn't matter what the activity. They talked, they laughed, they shared personal stories, childhood memories, moments of pain and heartache. For the first time in his life Erik had found someone he could truly bare his soul to. Someone he could just be himself with.
The next afternoon, the two decided to head over to a Karaoke bar. The place was crowded and some got very excited to see Erik Cantrell walk into the venue. Kaitlyn merely smiled at them in passing. Finally, the karaoke machine was free. Taking her by the hand, Erik led her over to it. “Care to sing a duet with me?”
“I – b–but – I don’t sing in public,” she said, frowning.
“Don’t worry, I’ll cover for you,” he grinned. "Hey, it's okay, just pretend your singing in the shower. Let go, have fun."
Taking up the microphones together, Kaitlyn gave Erik a wary look. He gazed back hoping he could infuse her with some of his confidence. She smiled tentatively and then the music began. Singing her little heart out, Erik was astonished with just how well she did. To the point he found himself contemplating, later, that maybe his act should expand — to that of a duo act.
Spending nearly every waking hour together, the two were growing very close. Erik brought her with him to the Dance Hall the Club usually met at, also in Windenburg. He believed at one time it used to be a Moose Lodge some years ago. Or was that a Llama Lodge? He wasn't sure. They sat and talked, in between dances, and the fans that needed his autograph. Finally, Kaitlyn surprised him by kissing him, first. He knew he was moving slowly, but perhaps too slowly he realized in retrospect. There did seem to be this mutual thing between them. He never felt this way before.
They spent quiet time watching movies together. Erik was having the time of his life. He found himself praying it would never end. What he was feeling was new to him and deep. One night as they sat side by side on the sofa in the Music Room, Kaitlyn with a twinkle in her blue eyes began tickling Erik mercilessly. He laughed so hard he lost his breath and began panting. “Stop, please stop I …can’t … breathe.”
“Not until you say it,” she said.
“Say, what?” he asked, finally catching his breath.
“It,” she said, sternly. “Or I won’t go out with you again.”
Erik sat up and gave her a frown. “I don’t know … what do you mean?”
Playing with the top button on his shirt, her smile was coy, “A simple three word message that means the world to Sims. For somebody who is so extroverted before a crowd, you sure hold back a lot. Your actions show it. But I would very much like to hear it, too.”
Erik straightened up, leaned into her slightly, and took her small hand between his. The time had come. “Kaitlyn,” he said, quietly. “I love you.”
"Aw, I love you, too, Erik."
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