Moonlight - Part 4
To alleviate some of my stress =]
Title - Moonlight
Author - midnightfate
Chapter - 4
Pairing - Clive/Candyce, one to be revealed.
Rating - PG
Summary - Candyce hides something from her new boyfriend, Clive. This can't be good.
Disclaimer - Don't own, the usual.
Italics are a prior event.
December 1988
Two months earlier…
Clive took Candyce’s right hand in his left, and its softness and warmth surprised her. Her hand was ice-cold in the chilly autumn air, but it warmed up as if she was suddenly in front of a roaring fire as soon as Clive took it. The twosome continued to walk along the path that cut through the thick carpet of gold, red, and brown leaves, admiring autumn’s beauty as they went. At least that’s what Candyce did. Clive, on the other hand, could not take his eyes away from Candyce. By now, he fancied her quite a bit, and something about the golden, fiery sunset reflecting in her dark brown eyes made her even more gorgeous. He knew what he had to do.
“Candyce?” Clive asked as he stopped.
“What?”
“I was wondering if…you would consider taking this further.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand…” Candyce answered.
Clive took a deep breath. He couldn’t recall ever being this nervous. He said, “I mean, would you consider a more serious relationship?”
Candyce’s eyes brightened as she said, “You mean dating?’
“Yes, if that’s what you call it in America.”
“I’d do more than consider it!” she said delightedly as her eyes lit up even more. “I’d be honoured!”
She found herself wrapped in a tight hug, and she flew to the top of the world. It felt so good to be in his embrace because Clive made her feel safe, which was more than she could say about other men she’d dated. She knew dating the host was a risk, but she was more than willing to take it.
Clive and Candyce had been together for two months, and he was everything she dreamed he would be. His courtship was traditional so far, and she was quite enamoured by it. After all, she wasn’t used to men treating her like a proper lady, so it was a very welcome change. Clive always did sweet things for her such as holding doors open and helping her with her coat, and all of this made Candyce a very happy woman. Tony, on the other hand, was tremendously jealous. It was painfully obvious to everyone around him. Whenever he saw Candyce and Clive together, he became irritable in order to mask the hurt. This taping was no exception.
“She should be with me!” he fumed to his friend Paul Merton as sparks crackled in his dark brown eyes.
“Tony, if you want her, you have to make your move.”
“But she’s with Clive,” Tony said shortly as he ran a hand through his obsidian-coloured hair. “I can’t.”
“Well if it gets you to shut your face about her, then do it anyway. You’ve been talking about nothing but Candyce all week!” Paul answered.
“You‘re no bloody help,” Tony muttered stubbornly as he went onstage, only to find Candyce talking to Clive.
“I’m terribly sorry, but we can’t do anything tomorrow,” Clive told Candyce, and Tony brightened. “I’m doing another show.”
“That’s fine,” Candyce replied agreeably with a slight British accent. “I’ve got things to do around the flat, anyway. I haven't given it a good thorough cleaning since I moved in.”
“Mr. Anderson, I’d like a word with you,” called Dan.
“Sorry, I’ve got to go. See you later,” Clive said as he gave Candyce a light kiss on the cheek and left to talk with Dan.
“Later…” Candyce said vaguely. Her hand lightly touched her cheek, and she smiled. Could he get any better?
“Candyce?” Tony asked from behind her.
Candyce turned to face Tony, and he met her with a warm, slightly more-than-friendly hug that lasted longer than it should have but not long enough for her. She hugged Tony back and let go, quite flustered. What was he doing hugging her like this? She liked it very much, and she definitely wanted Tony, but she was with Clive!
“You’re not busy this weekend, are you?” Tony asked nonchalantly, grinning mischievously at Candyce's expression.
“Not at all, why do you ask?” she answered once she found her voice.
Tony paused for a moment as he remembered what Mike told him a few months ago. From my experience, girls want to fall in love before they get the other stuff. Tony didn’t like this very much since it was against his normal romantic ways, but he was willing to do anything for Candyce to be his.
Clive made her breakfast. I’m no bloody good at cooking, so what can I do? I have to think like him. If he hadn’t cooked for her, what would he have done?
“I was wondering if you’d like to meet me at Hyde Park for a walk on Saturday,” he said.
Candyce thought for a few seconds. Surely, nothing would happen between them if she just went for a walk with Tony. Both of them knew good and well that they were only friends. Nothing more, nothing less. Clive wouldn’t find out because she wouldn’t tell him and trusted Tony to do the same. However, there was the risk that they would act on their attraction, but she had more willpower than that!
“Yes. I’d like that,” Candyce said reluctantly.
“Great. I’ll see you then,” Tony said without noticing her reluctance.
Tony left Candyce to return to her conversation with Clive, and he celebrated in his mind. Candyce actually said yes even though she was with another man! He couldn’t believe his luck! He took his seat next to Paul with an incredibly happy look on his face.
“So did you ask her?” Paul said as soon as he saw Tony.
“Yes!” Tony said elatedly. “She’s meeting me in Hyde Park tomorrow.”
Paul gave Tony a very confused look, for he knew this was not his usual style. However, Tony was happy, and he knew that he wouldn’t talk about Candyce nearly as much anymore. That was getting annoying.
For Candyce, this was a problem. Yes, she knew nothing would happen between Tony and her, but she also knew two people could deny their attraction to each other for only so long until something happened. What would happen if she ended up seeing Tony as well as Clive? She would have to do a damn good job of lying to keep things covered up, but she was a writer and an actress, so that wouldn’t be a problem. On the other hand, she didn’t want to hurt either of them, and that was inevitable if someone found out.
Don’t think about that now because it hasn’t happened. Worry about it when it happens, she told herself. If it happens.
After the show ended, Tony met Candyce backstage. He wanted to take her hands in his and feel her soft, smooth, porcelain skin, but he couldn’t because things like that were off limits. Damn Clive. He sighed and resorted to just a simple friendly hug. She looked at him with those big brown eyes, and he couldn’t help but be happy.
“So, tomorrow. What time?” Candyce asked.
“How does seven in the evening sound?” Tony answered.
“Sounds brilliant.”
Tony nodded at Candyce, told her that he’d see her then, and walked her to her car, leaving poor Candyce very confused. Was this the same Tony that seemingly only wanted her for sex? The same Tony whose jokes seemed to revolve around smut? He certainly looked like the same person, but he was beginning to act differently. More like Clive. She knew what he was trying to do! He knew that she wanted someone who wanted her for more than sex, and he knew that Clive was that type of person. So he was hoping to bring her away from Clive and over to his side by giving her more than sex. It wasn’t going to work. She couldn’t let it.
“Bye…” Candyce said with a small, shy smile.
“Goodbye,” Tony answered as he got into his car and went back to his own flat.
Candyce returned to her flat and tried her hardest to keep her mind off Tony but failed epically. She sighed and wondered why she had even gotten involved with Clive in the first place. If that hadn’t happened, she could have Tony without the worry of Clive finding out. She wasn’t about to end her relationship with Clive, though, because he represented that safety. When she was with Clive, all was right in the world. She had protection from the unfamiliarity, and she needed that. To distract herself, she opened the book that John let her borrow in exchange for her copy of Gone with the Wind and read until she fell asleep with the thick blue book on her desk. She was more tired than she thought…
Seven hours later...
“Nothing like curling up with a good book at night, is there, Candyce?”
Candyce awoke with a start and found the page stuck to her face. She hastily pulled it away, sat up, and looked around with bleary eyes. Who was rude enough to wake her up? She looked to her right and immediately noticed a mass of curly brown hair.
“John? What the hell are you doing here?” she said groggily as her vision adjusted to the light.
John smirked at Candyce as she closed her book and gave him a very disgruntled look. Once she was decently awake, he said, “Clive stopped by very early this morning and asked me to deliver this. I don’t know why; it’s terribly common to use someone else to deliver something to their partner.”
“I’m in no mood for your ego,” snapped Candyce as she slammed the book shut and brandished it at him. She normally got along very well with John (better than anyone else), but she was slightly embarrassed at the moment. “Get over it and give me the damn package before I throw this at you. Besides, I know why he didn’t bring it himself. He left very early this morning and was considerate enough to let me sleep.”
“No need to be testy,” John said resentfully as he handed over a plastic bag. Candyce opened it and saw a plate with a white plastic cover on it.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know. It’s your package.”
Candyce took the plate out and immediately recognized it as the same plate that she used when she went over to Clive’s house for breakfast. He made her breakfast again, only this time it was two pieces of French toast (without syrup; he was smarter than that) with two pieces of sausage. Candyce smiled happily and got a bottle of syrup out of a small cabinet.
“Well, what did he send you?”
“It’s breakfast. French toast and sausage,” she said as she took the cover off and let the food’s sweet aroma fill her flat.
“It looks rather good,” John replied, much as he didn’t want to admit it.
“It does, and I think it'll go well with my coffee.”
Candyce bustled around in her kitchen and quickly prepared her coffee blend. As she poured a mug of it, she offered a cup to John, who reluctantly accepted. She gave him a blue cup and looked expectantly at him as he tasted it, much as Clive had looked at her when she tried his fry-up.
“Well?”
“It’s rather good,” he said as he caught a glance at his watch. “I’m sorry, but I must be going. Do you mind if I…”
Candyce laughed, “Not at all. Next time Clive has you deliver something, bring it back.”
John nodded at his closest friend and quickly left with her mug. She really didn’t care if he brought it back because it was one of her cheaper ones. She sat down to her breakfast and immediately tucked in, savouring the sweetness. It complimented her coffee perfectly.
“Clive, you’re brilliant,” she said quietly.
She continued to enjoy her breakfast along with John’s book and realized that things couldn’t get any better. She had never been happier, although she was slightly concerned that it took moving to England to bring her out of her depression. That wasn’t important. She was happy, and that was all that mattered. She was beginning to develop these pesky mood swings, though. They didn’t last very long, but they were annoying as hell.
Nothing I can’t live with, Candyce thought as she slowly finished her breakfast. I’ll be fine as long as they don’t mess with me on an everyday basis.
Candyce found that the day passed much more quickly than expected, and the clock suddenly read 6:15 in the evening. Where had the time gone? Deciding that she couldn’t figure out the answer to her question, she looked into her closet and tried to figure out what to wear. She had to look pretty; that was her one rule. She finally settled on a baby blue top with long sleeves, her favourite pair of denim jeans, and a pair of black shoes. She looked at her reflection with some pride. She always had looked good in baby blue. Blue of any shade, really. She ran her green brush through her hair and put a little bit of makeup on. Tony was going to see her without it eventually if things progressed, but there was no need to rush things. She headed out to her car, got in, and made her way to Hyde Park.
“Hey,” she said happily as she got out and saw Tony waiting for her.
“Hey yourself,” Tony replied as he gave her the once-over. “You look beautiful.”
Candyce locked eyes with him, smiled, and said, “Thanks.”
Tony stared at Candyce until she gave him a curious look, and the he said, “Uh, let’s go, shall we?”
Candyce gave him a knowing smile and nodded. She got into Tony’s car, he started the engine, and they were off to Hyde Park. London’s scenery flew by Candyce in a blur as Tony sped down the road towards the park. Candyce played with a strand of dark brown hair as her heart began to flutter in her chest. If things took off between the two of them, it would be dangerous. Very dangerous. But that was where the rush came from, right? The allure of secret love and passion was overwhelming, and Candyce liked it more by the minute. She lost herself in her wonderful thoughts until Tony snapped her out of it.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Huh? Oh, nothing…” Candyce said as her face went pink.
“Well, we’re here anyway,” Tony said as he stopped the engine and helped Candyce out of the car.
The pair made their way into the park, and Candyce shivered in the cold London air. Tony looked at the poor girl and remembered what Mike said. Traditional romance before sex. He took off his jacket and handed it to Candyce.
“Oh, oh no, I couldn’t,” she said.
“I insist,” Tony said gently.
“But that’s your jacket and it’s cold.”
“I know, and that’s why I want you to have it right now. So you can stay warm.”
“Thanks…”
Candyce put the jacket on, wrapped it around her, and inhaled deeply. It had a very good smell to it. It was sweet but not overpoweringly so, and a hint of spice found its way into her nose. She didn’t know what Tony wore, but she liked it.
“Better?” he asked.
“Much.”
Tony thought for a moment, and then he said, “You know what might make you warmer?”
“A mug of my coffee?” she said with the hopes of subtly inviting him over for a cup after the walk.
“No. This.”
Tony brushed his hand against Candyce’s, and she felt her heart melt as he gently worked his hand into hers. He was right; she was definitely warmer. Her thumb involuntarily began to stroke his hand, and then she thought of Clive. This was so wrong, despite how good it felt. She let go, and Tony gave her a confused look.
“Candyce, what was that for?” Tony asked.
“I shouldn’t have done that,” she said with regret.
“Why not?”
“Oh, Tony, don’t be ridiculous. You know I’m seeing Clive!”
“Yes, of course I do, but that doesn’t mean that he’s going to find out if anything happens tonight. So just relax,” Tony said as he took Candyce’s hand again.
Tony had a good point. Candyce could do whatever she pleased while Clive was away. Hell, she could do whatever she pleased when Clive was in London. Her stance on life was that bad things were only bad if you got caught doing them, and this was a perfect chance to apply it. So, she was going to let tonight’s events unfold however they happened to unfold. If things happened between the two of them, she was going to accept them. If not, that was okay with her too. She would still have Tony as her best friend, hopefully, and that was better than nothing.
As Candyce and Tony walked around the lovely park and talked, she began to notice that Tony had changed. He was so much more romantic than she thought he would be, and he was such a gentleman! The walk was such a lovely idea! He let her have his jacket even though it was very cold out, and he helped her into and out of the car. Why hadn’t she seen this side of him before? They stood at a small pond and watched the moon reflect in its perfect tranquillity, and Candyce thought that fit her life at that very moment. Perfectly tranquil. Candyce stood in front of Tony and let him put his arms around her as she made her decision. Tony was so much more than she thought he would be. He was gorgeous, probably great in the physical areas, and now she knew that he could be very romantic as well.
“Tony?” she whispered as she gazed at the ever-present moon.
“Yes?”
“Let’s keep this going between us, okay?” she said bravely. “If Clive finds out, well, that’s just a risk I’m willing to take.”
“So you’re saying that you’d accept my offer if I asked you out again?”
“Yes. Yes I would.”
“How’s next week sound?” Tony asked as she leaned against him.
“Sounds perfect.”
Candyce turned and looked at the moonlight in Tony’s eyes and realized that he was her midnight angel, so to speak. This entire night had been so perfect that it was almost heavenly, and Tony was the angel with the moonlight lighting an invisible halo. She had no qualms about her decision, and she was willing to accept the consequences. What was the worst that could happen?
Title - Moonlight
Author - midnightfate
Chapter - 4
Pairing - Clive/Candyce, one to be revealed.
Rating - PG
Summary - Candyce hides something from her new boyfriend, Clive. This can't be good.
Disclaimer - Don't own, the usual.
Italics are a prior event.
December 1988
Two months earlier…
Clive took Candyce’s right hand in his left, and its softness and warmth surprised her. Her hand was ice-cold in the chilly autumn air, but it warmed up as if she was suddenly in front of a roaring fire as soon as Clive took it. The twosome continued to walk along the path that cut through the thick carpet of gold, red, and brown leaves, admiring autumn’s beauty as they went. At least that’s what Candyce did. Clive, on the other hand, could not take his eyes away from Candyce. By now, he fancied her quite a bit, and something about the golden, fiery sunset reflecting in her dark brown eyes made her even more gorgeous. He knew what he had to do.
“Candyce?” Clive asked as he stopped.
“What?”
“I was wondering if…you would consider taking this further.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand…” Candyce answered.
Clive took a deep breath. He couldn’t recall ever being this nervous. He said, “I mean, would you consider a more serious relationship?”
Candyce’s eyes brightened as she said, “You mean dating?’
“Yes, if that’s what you call it in America.”
“I’d do more than consider it!” she said delightedly as her eyes lit up even more. “I’d be honoured!”
She found herself wrapped in a tight hug, and she flew to the top of the world. It felt so good to be in his embrace because Clive made her feel safe, which was more than she could say about other men she’d dated. She knew dating the host was a risk, but she was more than willing to take it.
Clive and Candyce had been together for two months, and he was everything she dreamed he would be. His courtship was traditional so far, and she was quite enamoured by it. After all, she wasn’t used to men treating her like a proper lady, so it was a very welcome change. Clive always did sweet things for her such as holding doors open and helping her with her coat, and all of this made Candyce a very happy woman. Tony, on the other hand, was tremendously jealous. It was painfully obvious to everyone around him. Whenever he saw Candyce and Clive together, he became irritable in order to mask the hurt. This taping was no exception.
“She should be with me!” he fumed to his friend Paul Merton as sparks crackled in his dark brown eyes.
“Tony, if you want her, you have to make your move.”
“But she’s with Clive,” Tony said shortly as he ran a hand through his obsidian-coloured hair. “I can’t.”
“Well if it gets you to shut your face about her, then do it anyway. You’ve been talking about nothing but Candyce all week!” Paul answered.
“You‘re no bloody help,” Tony muttered stubbornly as he went onstage, only to find Candyce talking to Clive.
“I’m terribly sorry, but we can’t do anything tomorrow,” Clive told Candyce, and Tony brightened. “I’m doing another show.”
“That’s fine,” Candyce replied agreeably with a slight British accent. “I’ve got things to do around the flat, anyway. I haven't given it a good thorough cleaning since I moved in.”
“Mr. Anderson, I’d like a word with you,” called Dan.
“Sorry, I’ve got to go. See you later,” Clive said as he gave Candyce a light kiss on the cheek and left to talk with Dan.
“Later…” Candyce said vaguely. Her hand lightly touched her cheek, and she smiled. Could he get any better?
“Candyce?” Tony asked from behind her.
Candyce turned to face Tony, and he met her with a warm, slightly more-than-friendly hug that lasted longer than it should have but not long enough for her. She hugged Tony back and let go, quite flustered. What was he doing hugging her like this? She liked it very much, and she definitely wanted Tony, but she was with Clive!
“You’re not busy this weekend, are you?” Tony asked nonchalantly, grinning mischievously at Candyce's expression.
“Not at all, why do you ask?” she answered once she found her voice.
Tony paused for a moment as he remembered what Mike told him a few months ago. From my experience, girls want to fall in love before they get the other stuff. Tony didn’t like this very much since it was against his normal romantic ways, but he was willing to do anything for Candyce to be his.
Clive made her breakfast. I’m no bloody good at cooking, so what can I do? I have to think like him. If he hadn’t cooked for her, what would he have done?
“I was wondering if you’d like to meet me at Hyde Park for a walk on Saturday,” he said.
Candyce thought for a few seconds. Surely, nothing would happen between them if she just went for a walk with Tony. Both of them knew good and well that they were only friends. Nothing more, nothing less. Clive wouldn’t find out because she wouldn’t tell him and trusted Tony to do the same. However, there was the risk that they would act on their attraction, but she had more willpower than that!
“Yes. I’d like that,” Candyce said reluctantly.
“Great. I’ll see you then,” Tony said without noticing her reluctance.
Tony left Candyce to return to her conversation with Clive, and he celebrated in his mind. Candyce actually said yes even though she was with another man! He couldn’t believe his luck! He took his seat next to Paul with an incredibly happy look on his face.
“So did you ask her?” Paul said as soon as he saw Tony.
“Yes!” Tony said elatedly. “She’s meeting me in Hyde Park tomorrow.”
Paul gave Tony a very confused look, for he knew this was not his usual style. However, Tony was happy, and he knew that he wouldn’t talk about Candyce nearly as much anymore. That was getting annoying.
For Candyce, this was a problem. Yes, she knew nothing would happen between Tony and her, but she also knew two people could deny their attraction to each other for only so long until something happened. What would happen if she ended up seeing Tony as well as Clive? She would have to do a damn good job of lying to keep things covered up, but she was a writer and an actress, so that wouldn’t be a problem. On the other hand, she didn’t want to hurt either of them, and that was inevitable if someone found out.
Don’t think about that now because it hasn’t happened. Worry about it when it happens, she told herself. If it happens.
After the show ended, Tony met Candyce backstage. He wanted to take her hands in his and feel her soft, smooth, porcelain skin, but he couldn’t because things like that were off limits. Damn Clive. He sighed and resorted to just a simple friendly hug. She looked at him with those big brown eyes, and he couldn’t help but be happy.
“So, tomorrow. What time?” Candyce asked.
“How does seven in the evening sound?” Tony answered.
“Sounds brilliant.”
Tony nodded at Candyce, told her that he’d see her then, and walked her to her car, leaving poor Candyce very confused. Was this the same Tony that seemingly only wanted her for sex? The same Tony whose jokes seemed to revolve around smut? He certainly looked like the same person, but he was beginning to act differently. More like Clive. She knew what he was trying to do! He knew that she wanted someone who wanted her for more than sex, and he knew that Clive was that type of person. So he was hoping to bring her away from Clive and over to his side by giving her more than sex. It wasn’t going to work. She couldn’t let it.
“Bye…” Candyce said with a small, shy smile.
“Goodbye,” Tony answered as he got into his car and went back to his own flat.
Candyce returned to her flat and tried her hardest to keep her mind off Tony but failed epically. She sighed and wondered why she had even gotten involved with Clive in the first place. If that hadn’t happened, she could have Tony without the worry of Clive finding out. She wasn’t about to end her relationship with Clive, though, because he represented that safety. When she was with Clive, all was right in the world. She had protection from the unfamiliarity, and she needed that. To distract herself, she opened the book that John let her borrow in exchange for her copy of Gone with the Wind and read until she fell asleep with the thick blue book on her desk. She was more tired than she thought…
Seven hours later...
“Nothing like curling up with a good book at night, is there, Candyce?”
Candyce awoke with a start and found the page stuck to her face. She hastily pulled it away, sat up, and looked around with bleary eyes. Who was rude enough to wake her up? She looked to her right and immediately noticed a mass of curly brown hair.
“John? What the hell are you doing here?” she said groggily as her vision adjusted to the light.
John smirked at Candyce as she closed her book and gave him a very disgruntled look. Once she was decently awake, he said, “Clive stopped by very early this morning and asked me to deliver this. I don’t know why; it’s terribly common to use someone else to deliver something to their partner.”
“I’m in no mood for your ego,” snapped Candyce as she slammed the book shut and brandished it at him. She normally got along very well with John (better than anyone else), but she was slightly embarrassed at the moment. “Get over it and give me the damn package before I throw this at you. Besides, I know why he didn’t bring it himself. He left very early this morning and was considerate enough to let me sleep.”
“No need to be testy,” John said resentfully as he handed over a plastic bag. Candyce opened it and saw a plate with a white plastic cover on it.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know. It’s your package.”
Candyce took the plate out and immediately recognized it as the same plate that she used when she went over to Clive’s house for breakfast. He made her breakfast again, only this time it was two pieces of French toast (without syrup; he was smarter than that) with two pieces of sausage. Candyce smiled happily and got a bottle of syrup out of a small cabinet.
“Well, what did he send you?”
“It’s breakfast. French toast and sausage,” she said as she took the cover off and let the food’s sweet aroma fill her flat.
“It looks rather good,” John replied, much as he didn’t want to admit it.
“It does, and I think it'll go well with my coffee.”
Candyce bustled around in her kitchen and quickly prepared her coffee blend. As she poured a mug of it, she offered a cup to John, who reluctantly accepted. She gave him a blue cup and looked expectantly at him as he tasted it, much as Clive had looked at her when she tried his fry-up.
“Well?”
“It’s rather good,” he said as he caught a glance at his watch. “I’m sorry, but I must be going. Do you mind if I…”
Candyce laughed, “Not at all. Next time Clive has you deliver something, bring it back.”
John nodded at his closest friend and quickly left with her mug. She really didn’t care if he brought it back because it was one of her cheaper ones. She sat down to her breakfast and immediately tucked in, savouring the sweetness. It complimented her coffee perfectly.
“Clive, you’re brilliant,” she said quietly.
She continued to enjoy her breakfast along with John’s book and realized that things couldn’t get any better. She had never been happier, although she was slightly concerned that it took moving to England to bring her out of her depression. That wasn’t important. She was happy, and that was all that mattered. She was beginning to develop these pesky mood swings, though. They didn’t last very long, but they were annoying as hell.
Nothing I can’t live with, Candyce thought as she slowly finished her breakfast. I’ll be fine as long as they don’t mess with me on an everyday basis.
Candyce found that the day passed much more quickly than expected, and the clock suddenly read 6:15 in the evening. Where had the time gone? Deciding that she couldn’t figure out the answer to her question, she looked into her closet and tried to figure out what to wear. She had to look pretty; that was her one rule. She finally settled on a baby blue top with long sleeves, her favourite pair of denim jeans, and a pair of black shoes. She looked at her reflection with some pride. She always had looked good in baby blue. Blue of any shade, really. She ran her green brush through her hair and put a little bit of makeup on. Tony was going to see her without it eventually if things progressed, but there was no need to rush things. She headed out to her car, got in, and made her way to Hyde Park.
“Hey,” she said happily as she got out and saw Tony waiting for her.
“Hey yourself,” Tony replied as he gave her the once-over. “You look beautiful.”
Candyce locked eyes with him, smiled, and said, “Thanks.”
Tony stared at Candyce until she gave him a curious look, and the he said, “Uh, let’s go, shall we?”
Candyce gave him a knowing smile and nodded. She got into Tony’s car, he started the engine, and they were off to Hyde Park. London’s scenery flew by Candyce in a blur as Tony sped down the road towards the park. Candyce played with a strand of dark brown hair as her heart began to flutter in her chest. If things took off between the two of them, it would be dangerous. Very dangerous. But that was where the rush came from, right? The allure of secret love and passion was overwhelming, and Candyce liked it more by the minute. She lost herself in her wonderful thoughts until Tony snapped her out of it.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Huh? Oh, nothing…” Candyce said as her face went pink.
“Well, we’re here anyway,” Tony said as he stopped the engine and helped Candyce out of the car.
The pair made their way into the park, and Candyce shivered in the cold London air. Tony looked at the poor girl and remembered what Mike said. Traditional romance before sex. He took off his jacket and handed it to Candyce.
“Oh, oh no, I couldn’t,” she said.
“I insist,” Tony said gently.
“But that’s your jacket and it’s cold.”
“I know, and that’s why I want you to have it right now. So you can stay warm.”
“Thanks…”
Candyce put the jacket on, wrapped it around her, and inhaled deeply. It had a very good smell to it. It was sweet but not overpoweringly so, and a hint of spice found its way into her nose. She didn’t know what Tony wore, but she liked it.
“Better?” he asked.
“Much.”
Tony thought for a moment, and then he said, “You know what might make you warmer?”
“A mug of my coffee?” she said with the hopes of subtly inviting him over for a cup after the walk.
“No. This.”
Tony brushed his hand against Candyce’s, and she felt her heart melt as he gently worked his hand into hers. He was right; she was definitely warmer. Her thumb involuntarily began to stroke his hand, and then she thought of Clive. This was so wrong, despite how good it felt. She let go, and Tony gave her a confused look.
“Candyce, what was that for?” Tony asked.
“I shouldn’t have done that,” she said with regret.
“Why not?”
“Oh, Tony, don’t be ridiculous. You know I’m seeing Clive!”
“Yes, of course I do, but that doesn’t mean that he’s going to find out if anything happens tonight. So just relax,” Tony said as he took Candyce’s hand again.
Tony had a good point. Candyce could do whatever she pleased while Clive was away. Hell, she could do whatever she pleased when Clive was in London. Her stance on life was that bad things were only bad if you got caught doing them, and this was a perfect chance to apply it. So, she was going to let tonight’s events unfold however they happened to unfold. If things happened between the two of them, she was going to accept them. If not, that was okay with her too. She would still have Tony as her best friend, hopefully, and that was better than nothing.
As Candyce and Tony walked around the lovely park and talked, she began to notice that Tony had changed. He was so much more romantic than she thought he would be, and he was such a gentleman! The walk was such a lovely idea! He let her have his jacket even though it was very cold out, and he helped her into and out of the car. Why hadn’t she seen this side of him before? They stood at a small pond and watched the moon reflect in its perfect tranquillity, and Candyce thought that fit her life at that very moment. Perfectly tranquil. Candyce stood in front of Tony and let him put his arms around her as she made her decision. Tony was so much more than she thought he would be. He was gorgeous, probably great in the physical areas, and now she knew that he could be very romantic as well.
“Tony?” she whispered as she gazed at the ever-present moon.
“Yes?”
“Let’s keep this going between us, okay?” she said bravely. “If Clive finds out, well, that’s just a risk I’m willing to take.”
“So you’re saying that you’d accept my offer if I asked you out again?”
“Yes. Yes I would.”
“How’s next week sound?” Tony asked as she leaned against him.
“Sounds perfect.”
Candyce turned and looked at the moonlight in Tony’s eyes and realized that he was her midnight angel, so to speak. This entire night had been so perfect that it was almost heavenly, and Tony was the angel with the moonlight lighting an invisible halo. She had no qualms about her decision, and she was willing to accept the consequences. What was the worst that could happen?