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“I’ve been sent home, Dad says I’m too distracted to work,” Shelly announced making us both laugh.
“Me too! What do you say we make the most of it and go to the grocery store? Maybe we can even get a coffee on the way?”
“You had me at coffee, come on, let’s do this.”
We both rode in my car since Shelly usually walked to work, and as soon as we walked into the grocery store, we each grabbed a basket to carry whatever we found. First, we went to the wine aisle and after much debate found what we each thought would be best for each of us. Shelly grabbed two bottles.
“What? We’re not going anywhere, might as well enjoy the evening,” she said and bumped my hip.
Next, we went to the deli, and both chose a variety of cheeses and meats. All sliced thin so we could make them look pretty on whatever we used to display them. “Oh, I’m getting one of these,” Shelly said and picked up one of the premade cheeseballs that were always at the front of the deli counter.
“Why don’t you make your own?” I asked. Her answer was a deadpan look that I knew the exact meaning of. Shelly didn’t love to cook, she could, but she tried to avoid it. “So premade cheeseball it is.”
From there we chose a few types of crackers, and a small package of toast then olives, sundried tomatoes, and a few other veggies to make it all look pretty. Because one thing I knew Randy appreciated was the effort to make something look pretty.
“What are you putting yours on?” Shelly asked and looked through her basket at all she’d chosen including the bits of chocolate she’d just found.
“I was considering taking a cutting board, but what are you thinking?”
“Well, my dad cut some rounds of wood from the branch he had to cut down last month. I thought I’d clean one up and use it for a nice little plate.” Just then we walked around a corner and almost directly into Rick who also had a basket filled with goodies.
“What did you get?” Shelly asked as he tried to hide it from her.
“You have to wait until tomorrow, now go on or you’ll ruin the surprise,” Rick said and held his basket up high enough to keep it away from her.
“Oh my god, between you and Eli, you two are going to drive me nuts,” Shelly said before walking off toward the checkouts.
“So, what do you guys have planned?” Rick asked and grinned as he kept his eyes locked on Shelly.
“Well, I planned a surprise for Randy. I’m so glad I can tell him tomorrow. Keeping it from him has been really hard.”
“Oh, believe me I know exactly what you mean. Shelly thinks we’re staying home and ordering pizza but I’m having something special delivered and I’m going to set up the table with flowers and candles, the whole nine yards.” He was so happy, and I knew for a fact Shelly was too. It was great to see two of my closest friends find happiness with each other.
“She doesn’t suspect a thing. Hopefully I can keep it from Randy too. I don’t want to ruin it.”
“Okay, well, I’m going to go before she gets impatient and comes back to see what I’ve got. Good luck, Eli, and happy Valentine’s Day.” Rick hurried toward the back of the store, and I walked over to where Shelly stood in line.
“Did he tell you anything?” she asked as soon as I walked up to her.
“No, and I didn’t ask.”
She huffed, but when I looked, she was smiling as she looked behind me, probably hoping for a glimpse of her boyfriend.
Fifteen
Randy
I’d stopped by to pick up the papers just before Roger was getting ready to lock the door. “Sorry I’m late,” I said, but he waved me off.
“Don’t worry, I was going to stop by your house if you didn’t make it,” Roger said as he handed me a manilla envelope. “It’s all there just like you asked, and I’ve highlighted everywhere you both need to sign.” Happiness that I couldn’t describe flowed through me, and I clutched the package to my chest.
“Thank you so much. I know it was on short notice so please feel free to bill me,” I said and shook his hand.
“Randy, I told you there was no charge. Now I’ll be waiting for my cookies. Oh, by the way, I picked up a package of your Valentine’s special. I can’t wait to give it to Jenny. She loves your cookies.”
“Thanks again. I’m going to give it to him tomorrow night. If I can resist giving it to him tonight. We were going to go to Tahoe but I’m not sure if we still are or not. We thought we’d just go and hopefully find a place to stay.”
“We’ve done that before. If you’re not too picky there’s always room at the smaller hotels.”
