Draw Me A Picture by Meredith Greene

this, he felt a rapidly increasing desire to sweep her into his arms and promise to take care of her forever.
    William gave himself a mental slap. Here he was sitting with a stranger, albeit a lovely and good one, but a stranger nonetheless. Thoughts o f companionship, a relationship... even of marriage occurred to him so quickly that he  felt unprepared to deal with them at the moment. Bewildered by his own brain’s leaps into the unknown William gazed at Michelle, thinking fantastic things.
    Michelle saw a soft look descend into William’s face; his eyes appeared to harbor a intensely pensive expression. She was dying to know what was on his mind but feared to pry. She contented herself with timidly squeezing his hand.
    “I do alright, William,” she said, reassuringly. “Please don’t worry about me.” Her companion smiled back at her; it was the ethereal smile Michelle had captured in her portrait. Michelle found herself gazing back at him. In spite of her insecurities, she wanted very badly to believe that William would be interested in her for a long time to come; logic told her she should not allow that hope to take flight so soon.  
    Sitting beside her, William grew curious about the conflicting expressions in Michelle’s eyes. There was so much in her face he felt fascinated by... and yet, he could see she possessed a pointed fear, one that he could not quite fathom. William wondered if perhaps all she needed was a little comfort. He needed some as well; more than anything he wanted to be the one to bring her what solace a man was able.
    “I can see you take care of yourself, sweetheart,” he murmured; he stopped, realizing he’d called her ‘sweetheart’. Blushing, Michelle looked out her window. The taxi  was not far from her hotel now; just a few more blocks.
    “Will you have lunch with me tomorrow?” William ventured, after a moment. The end of their evening drew nearer. Despite their recent acquaintance, he could not let her go without giving her some indication of his intentions. He intended to see her as much as humanly possible.
    Michelle gave William her attention once more.
    “In my floppy hat?” she inquired, with a teasing smile. “Carrying my display case and rug?” Grinning, William narrowed his eyes at her.
    “You would, wouldn’t you?” he remarked. “Take the day off work tomorrow. Then you can finally see where I go to lunch.” Michelle looked uncertain. “My mother is in town visiting again; I will be meeting her for lunch, before she travels back to her house.” Michelle’s smile faded at his words about his mother. William squeezed her hand.
    “Relax,” he said, softly. “She’d love to see you… as would I.”
    Giving William a brave smile, Michelle took in a deep breath. It occurred to her that this was one of those now-or-never moments, the kind one encounters while traveling the path of life; you either take it or forever rue your own cowardice.
    “My old corner then? At 12:06?” she offered, sounding more confident than she felt. Whatever doubts she harbored, William’s answering smile made them vanish.
    “Not a moment later,” he promised.
    The taxi pulled up in front of the Waldorf’s grand edifice.
    “Michelle?” The young woman paused in her exit of the cab; she looked back at William uncertainly. He smiled. “Sleep well,” he said, looking as if he wished to say much more. Michelle surprised her companion, and herself, by leaning back into the cab; she gave William a very small kiss on the side of his face.
    “I will,” she whispered, pulling back. William was mesmerized; Michelle’s lovely eyes glowed with something unearthly. “You as well... and, thank you.”
    William squeezed her hand before letting go.
    “You’re very welcome, Michelle,” he said. He meant, ‘You’re very welcome to be a part of my life until I die’, but hoped the young woman wouldn’t guess that. He rolled down the window as she walked from the cab.