As we continue down the street, I swing our arms and skip.Then I start to dance, twirling in and out of his embrace.He spins me and catches me wearing his happy face and acting as if the girl dancing alongside him is doing nothing in the world unusual.The crowd on the sidewalk becomes too dense to continue our dance, so I start to sing."Ooooo....OooOooOOOoo....Ahhhhh...."I belt out Whitney Houston's "All The Man That I Need" at the top of my lungs.People turn and stare, but they don't frown, and they don't look sad, and they don't seem bored anymore.
"Now you are just showing off, Happy Thang."
My eyes twinkle at him, and I grin, then wink as I hold our hands up and sing to them."He won't let go!"
Every time our eyes touch, the unspoken word travels between us, and it adds something more to my voice.I sing to all of Rome that this gorgeous Golden God next to me is truly all the man that I need.I don't hold anything back.I sing the song with every ounce of my being, and on the last note, I hold it and hold it.When I finish the song, I give them southern girl swag, pointing my finger, rolling my wrist, and rocking my upper body."Whoa!"
Aurei claps, and a few other people join him.I blow him a kiss.He turns his face when it lands.His sweet face, grinning and playing with me, makes my heart soar.He rebounds from the pretend kiss and swoops me off my feet.
"Oooo!"I squeal as he spins us around and around in a fast tight circle.My hair sails out away from our bodies with the centrifugal force and we grip each other tight to stay centered and balanced."Stop.Stop."I giggle."You're going to get dizzy and drop me."
Laughing, he stops and cradles me."I'm a pilot.I don't get dizzy from spins."
I laugh with him."I'm a pole dancer.I don't get dizzy from spins either."
"Good.Cause I'm not finished."He spins again, making me giggle uncontrollably.
When he does finally stop, I'm laughing so hard I'm having trouble breathing.He holds me, laughing until I can gain my breath.I ask between gasps."What the fuck was that all about?"
"I wanted you to know I really won't let go."
"What?"I lay my head back and laugh out loud.I peek at him from under my lids as I laugh.He is all smiles watching me.His face looks so peaceful.It's hard to imagine that wild thunder lives there as well.
Still cradling me in his arms, he says."That's who you sound like."
"Who?"
"You sound a lot like Whitney."
I start to laugh again."Don't be ridiculous."
"Why is that ridiculous?"
"It just is.Whitney.Really?"I roll my eyes at him."Put me down, please."
He lets my legs go but keeps his arm around me.I'm vertical, but I'm not on my feet.My feet dangle as he holds me tight against him.
"Why is that ridiculous?"
"Because ...she has ...had ...incredible pipes!Naw.I just sang her song exactly like she did."
He smirks."Exactly."
"That's not what I meant, and you know it."
"What do you mean then?"
"I didn't change it up and do my own thang with it."
"Well....That's true, but I'm telling you.Yousoundan awful lot like Whitney."
"Flattery will take you only so far, Mr.Moore," I smirk."I thought you knew that I value honesty over deceit, and exaggerations, despite their good intentions, are deceitful."I wag my finger at him, then tap his lips with it."You would be wise to remember that."
"Mmhmm.I will remember that, but I'm straight line, not curved.You will be wise to remember that too about me."
"Touché.Put me down, please.You're squishing my twins."
He sets me gently on my feet but keeps his arms around me."Have you ever recorded yourself and listened?"
