...
My feelings for Dirk had evolved over the years. From thinking he was good-looking when I was a freshman to realizing, as his friend, that he had better attributes than just his aesthetic. Dirk had what few guys had: prowess. His intelligence tended to sneak up on people, for instance. A former girlfirend of his once commented to me that he was dumb as rocks. She recounted their college orientation class, saying that he could barely read. In our study group my sophomore year, he would never open his book. It must have been because he is illiterate, I had thought. By finals I finally dared to ask him.
"Dirk, why don't I ever see you open the book?"
"I don't need it because I have notes from class." He said with a dimpled smile.
"This whole semester?"
He pulled out a deck of index cards from his bag, "Plus I have these. They're my notes from the book. I finished them the first month of class."
Who does that? Impressed and slightly amused, I slipped in, "People are going to think you can't read!"
He laughed, "The less people know about me, the better." Then he pulled in closer and whispered, "And between you and me, I may not be the smartest guy, but I'm determined to accomplish what I set out to."
Our continued friendship had me falling in love with his charm, his wit, and his integrity. When Dirk stopped all contact with me so abruptly, I decided not to freak out or to hate him. Besides, I couldn't hate someone I loved so much. He was a great friend for significant years in my life. I gathered he had found whatever he sought in Miami: maybe a wife, a house, good work. My mind perused through the possibilities. Regardless, I dated a few men to abate the nostalgia I had for him.
I had turned 26, and it had been two years of attempting to preoccupy my thoughts with work and boys rather than him when I heard a rumor from our friends that he was back. We met at a cafe up the street from my apartment. I guess we looked much different than before because he looked stunned I was definitely surprised at his appearance.
At the cafe I met a new Dirk and he met a new Dana. He looked dapper and well-groomed. His hair was cut low and he wore grown man clothes instead of Girbaud's and Air Forces with a curly fro. I used to be the hoodie, graphic tee, and designer jean queen with my hair cut short to my ears. Now my hair was down my back in waves. I had started working out regularly by then so I had a legitimate canvas for my clothes. I wore designer heels, white shorts, and a red blouse to show off what I could legally.
With his huge, dimpled smile he said, "Wow Dana! You look beautiful."
He got up from his seat to hug me. I had missed his hugs.
"You look great too!"
We took three hours to catch up. I found out that he had established a resort and some residential real estate while in miami. he enjoye dthe weather, the beaches, the women, but he always knew he'd be back to the city. I asked him why we didn't keep in touch.
He responded, "I had to focus on business. If I had kept in touch, I would have thought about not being here and not being with you all the time."
He asked why I didn't call.
"I didn't want to bother you," was my response.
He found out I had grown with my design work and was still writing. Then he asked point blank if I had a boyfriend or a husband. No I didn't. I inquired the same.
"No, I was focused on my first ventures."
Then with absolute confidence, he reached across the small table and grabbed my hand.
"Now I'm focused on a new one and the most important."
"In the city?" I asked hoping he'd be staying for awhile.
He smiled and looked at me intently, "Dana, you've always been a good friend to me. But since college, I have wanted more. If you see it how I see it, there's no time like now."
I quickly pinched myself under the table. It hurt.
"What the...where is this...what are you saying Dirk?"
"We should go on a date. Because ever since the day you walked into that business class, I cannot get you out of my head."
We dated one year before he proposed.
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Now, the wedding is here. I'm clothed, but my Louboutin heels are still in the corner. The organ in the church has stopped playing, and the knocking at my door has subsided. Why am I questioning this? He's arrogant, desired by many, and is a glutton for success, but he's also smart, loyal, and patient. He knows what he wants. He has never let me down. He takes his time with whatever he's serious about.
I hear a knock, "Dana?"
It's my groom.
"Dana?" He calls out again nervously. "Dana, unlock the door. Let me talk to you."
"You can't see me before the ceremony."
"Why won't you come out?"
I hear him sliding against the door. I guess he's sitting now.
"Dana, it's us. It's me and you."
I stand up and walk to my shoes. They're beautiful. No one will be able to see them due to my extra long dress and the crazy layers of tulle, but I know they're there. I sit back down to slide them on when I suddenly hear a snotty sniff and a fist bang against the door.
"Baby, if you don't want this, why not just say so. You're honest so I know you want this. You want us. If you are questioning my intention, don't. Before we even met, I took one look at you in some red tee shirt and knew you were for me. Your eyes said the same about me it seemed like. You'd smile and brighten my day. You're sexy with that walk, and those sexy ass heels you always wear now. You're beautiful. You're so brilliant and love me for me, not my money or to get ahead....I just love you and I want you."
He falls back a bit when I open the door. He jumps up looking sexy as ever in his tuxedo. Tears start rolling down my face.
"I'm sorry baby. I didn't mean for you to think I wasn't coming."
He embraces me tightly and I wrap my body into his warmth.
I sheepishly mutter, "I was into you since that red tee shirt day too."
We laugh.
He wipes my face and kisses me gently.
"You'll be my wife?"
"Always."
"You look beautiful." He whispers something irrepeatable into my ear. We kiss again and again.
In between, he murmurs, "I bet you didn't know red's my favorite color."
I whisper in his ear, "Mine too."
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9 years ago
