Danni had just returned to the shop. Kassia had left a note for her to meet her there . . . something about changing a few things in the inventory. But when she arrived, she found the door locked and the lights turned down . . . This was strange, she thought. She opened the shop and went inside to find several several of the small crystal lights on . . . Several shelves had been moved to make a large space in the center of the shop. A large, colorful rug had been placed there. On it was set fruit, little cakes, and chocolates, along with more glowing crystals, two glasses and a bottle of wine chilling in a container of ice. Soft music played in the background. Next to the glasses was a note. She reached to pick it up just as the door to the shop opened again.
She turned to see Toren Len. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Hey Danni, Kassia asked me to meet her here . . ." he looked around. "To rearrange some shelves . . . I guess she did it already . . ." He was perplexed.
"She told me she wanted me to meet her here to go over some of the inventory . . ." Danni replied, with a shrug of her shoulders and an innocent smile. "But she left all this . . . and this note . . ."
"What does it say?" he asked as he walked up to her, gazing at the set-up before him.
She opened the note.
Sorry for the deception, guys, but you know . . . I think you two would have more fun without me tonight . . . IF you give yourselves the chance . . . Danni, don't be afraid to be yourself and Len . . . She might be the one . . . Just some advice from your psychic friend! I love you both and enjoy the evening if nothing else!
Kassia
Danni laughed with disbelief and handed the letter to Len. "I don't believe her . . ." she said.
A light went into Len's eyes as he realized what Kassia had written and what they had spoken about earlier . . . Maybe he wasn't seeing the forest through the trees . . .
"Well, you know, it would be a shame to waste this . . ." he said, as he motioned toward all the preparation Kassia had put into the scene. "What do you say? Care for a drink?"
Danni smiled. She was sure her dark eyes revealed everything she had been feeling ever since she had known Toren Len. She had wanted him to notice her . . .
"Sure . . ." she replied.
He sat down on the rug and opened the bottle, pouring wine into the two glasses. She sat down next to him and took the glass he offered. As their eyes met, they both smiled.
"Here's to . . . good friends and new beginnings . . ." he said.
As they touched glasses, something passed between them. Something Kassia had known, but surprised them. Len gently caressed Danni's face as he stared into her dark eyes. He'd never realized before just how beautiful she was . . .
Kassia stared at the the spread of cards before her. She had done a reading for Danni and Len . . . Sure enough, the Lovers card had appeared . . . They were meant to be, she thought with a smile. As she closed her eyes, she allowed her consciousness to seek out how the evening was going . . . She took a deep breath and she felt the budding emotions coming out . . . They were a match . . . a perfect match, she realized . . . Len hadn't realized it, but it had been in Danni's eyes all along . . . The eyes rarely ever lied . . . With a contented smile, she felt hands reach around her in an embrace.
"Good news?" Tarik said, as he looked over her shoulder at the cards.
She nodded. "I think so . . ." She turned and kissed him. As their eyes met, he caressed her face.
"And what about us?"
She smirked and raised an eyebrow. Without a moment's hesitation she kissed him again. "What do you think?" she asked, with a devilish grin.
Engulfing her in his embrace, his lips sought hers out once more. She lost herself to him . . . The man who owned her heart and who always would.