Chapter 21

As Sid and Cilla closed up shop for the weekend they chatted about the upcoming evening. “How many of your friends will be there tonight Sid?” Cilla wanted to know how uncomfortable tonight was likely to be for Jon. “Only four.” Sid turned to face Cilla, “don’t worry; we didn’t invite anyone single for you this time.” Cilla rolled her eyes at him, “thanks for the restraint.”

She turned and grabbed one of her pink boxes and then headed to the refrigerator. “Turn around.” Sid laughed, “what for?” Cilla went and turned him, “I don’t want you to see what I made for dessert. Now don’t peek.” She rushed back to the refrigerator and pulled out the coconut cream layer cake she had worked on that afternoon and slid it into the box. She was just tying the string when Sid whined, “can I look now?”

She tied the bow and cut the string, “go ahead.” He gave a dramatic sigh when he saw the box all tied up, “why can’t I see what it is?” The cake was he and Mark’s favorite and she wanted to surprise them. “I don’t want you to see it just yet. Here.” She handed him a second, smaller box. “There are some new cookies in there. I’m using you and your friends as guinea pigs for them.”

She stuck the bigger box back in the refrigerator to be retrieved later. “Let’s go. I know you need time to primp.” Sid laughed, “you could add a few extra minutes to your routine too you know.” Cilla waived him off, “nah, I’m just gonna throw on my old jeans and a t-shirt. That should be fine, right?” Sid looked aghast. “If you show up dressed like a bum, I’m not letting you in the door. Wear some of your pretty clothes tonight for god sakes.”

Cilla chuckled all the way up the stairs to her apartment. Jon’s right, it is fun to get Sid all riled up. They had parted ways at the back door and he again had admonished her to wear something pretty. She shook her head as she stood in front of her closet, does he think I don’t know how to do this? She flipped through her things, coming across an outfit she hadn’t yet worn. She had found the pieces in a vintage thrift shop and had fallen in love with the whole look.

After taking a quick shower she slipped into a pair of tiny blue silk panties and her robe and brushed out her hair. She pulled the sides back with an enameled barrette, leaving wispy bangs framing her face. She was just putting the finishing touches on her make-up when she heard the knock on her door.

Jon was early. He smiled; he couldn’t help it. He had been itching to see her ever since he had dropped the kids off to Dorothea that afternoon. He tried to work, tried to watch a movie, read the paper, but he couldn’t concentrate on anything. He heard the lock disengage and his smiled broadened when she opened the door in her robe.

“Jon, you’re early.” Cilla stepped back so he could come inside. “I know, I’m sorry. Do you want me to go away and come back again?” Cilla laughed, “no, just make yourself comfortable. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.” He eyed her robe and waggled his eyebrows, “need some help?” She put a hand on his chest, “I think if you help, I’ll end up naked. You just wait right here.” Before he could say anything else she turned and fled to the bedroom.

She leaned against the door and took a deep breath. He looked so damned good standing there in his form fitting black jeans, white dress shirt and black blazer. It was the blue pocket square that got her though. How had he known she was wearing blue tonight? She dressed quickly; the midnight blue silk pants were tissue thin and flowed around her legs. The camisole she slipped over her head was a shade lighter than the pants and had delicate embroidery around the hem and neckline. To top it off was an almost sheer slivery blue, mandarin collared over-blouse that stopped just above her knees. It was held closed by a loop and button at the base of her throat and one slightly lower, showing off the embroidery on the camisole. Her silver high-heeled sandals completed the look. She grabbed her purse, slicked some gloss on her lips and opened the door.

Jon looked up when he heard the door open and whistled low, “wow Cil. You look great.” He eyed her hungrily, taking in the whole package that she was.

Cilla walked over to him and fingered the blue pocket square, “how did you know?” He looked down and then back at her, “I didn’t. I just thought it looked good.” She smiled slightly and leaned up, pressing a kiss to his lips, “it looks great, as do you.” He kissed her back and was pushed back slightly when he tried to take things further, “we have to go. Sid will be grumpy all night if we’re late.” Jon took her hand, “let’s go then. We don’t want a grumpy Sid on our hands tonight.”

She laughed as they headed down the stairs, “we need to stop in the shop quick. Dessert is in the fridge.” He waited while she got the box and re-locked the door. “What did you make?” Cilla took his hand and started to walk, “you’re as bad as Sid. But I guess I can tell you; coconut cream cake. It’s Sid’s favorite. He also has a box of new cookies that I’m trying out.” He took the cake from her, “what kind of cookies?”

“The little Italian ones and some almond paste. I hope they turned out okay. They looked good, but taste-wise, I have no idea.”

Jon chuckled, “you could have called me, I would have been your taste tester.” Cilla laughed, “I’ll remember that for next time.” She looked up when they got to the intersection, “that’s his building” she pointed, indicating the building across the street.

They stepped of the elevator together, chatting as they strolled toward Sid’s apartment. Jon knocked and looked at Cilla, “here we go.”