From there it’s a mad scramble.
The women scream.
The men dash for their clothes.
And all six of them run away laughing hysterically.
Somehow they all, gather at the end of the small jetty. Giddy and breathless.
The water laps softly beneath them. The party across the River is just reaching its crescendo. The six are all happy and laughing - even the men, who are still dressed only in their underwear. Tonight is a night they will all long remember.
“Did we lose him?” Gemma asks, catching her breath.
Griff peers into the gloom, “Looks like it.”
“That was crazy,” Della says, and then to punctuate her joy she twirls. “What a perfect evening.”
Nearby Jacob pulls up and fastens his pants.
Meanwhile, Gemma eyes Griff approvingly. She wants to feel his chest. In this light, he does indeed look like the Greek god of beauty.
Jacob doesn’t appear to notice his wife’s gaze. He has only one thing on his mind, “So, who won?”
Basil too has other things on his mind. He has already drawn up his pants. He moves over to Della as she completes her latest twirl.
“Della,” he whispers softly.
She turns to him.
She smiles.
“Basil.”
The stars are bright. The waves beat in time with the music. Now would be the perfect moment. He reaches into his pocket.
He reaches into the other pocket.
Della is waiting for him.
He’s lost the ring!
“Wait here!” he tells Della before running off into the darkness.
[https://i.ibb.co/vL1KKF7/flourish-heart1-small.png]
“No. No. No!” Basil screams as he searches for the box. He can’t see it anywhere.
How did he lose it? It obviously fell out while he was running from the guard. Why did he take off his pants? He didn’t really need to win the stupid game. Now everything is ruined. His stupidity has caused him to lose the perfect moment.
“Here it is,” a voice calls from the darkness.
Like a shade, Wanda emerges from the gloom.
She holds the red box before her. She’s a goddess offering a magical artefact to her chosen hero.
“Oh, thank you. Thank you, so much,” Basil says taking the box eagerly.
He turns to rush back to Della, but Wanda stops him.
“Don’t rush it,” she tells him, “You need to choose the right moment.”
“I just missed the perfect moment.”
She shakes her head, “No you didn’t. You’re trying too hard.”
Basil studies Wanda. Who is this woman?
Basil knows nothing about his friend’s date. She looks so young, even by Griff’s standards.
What does she mean, he’s trying too hard? He needs to try hard. Della is way out of his league. If he doesn’t try hard, he’ll lose her to someone else.
Then why is she with you at all? a voice asks. Why isn’t she already married?
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
She’s never met the right person?
What is the right person? What does Della really want?
She wants stability and security. She wants to be loved!
She needs a certain quality of life.
I have money! Loads of money. I’m more than happy to share it with her.
What else does she want?
I don’t know. Isn’t money enough? This game is too hard.
Try harder, you idiot!
Okay…um…she wants money. She wants love. She wants security and stability. She wants…um…
Let’s try a new tact. What sort of person can provide that to her?
Me!
And what sort of person are you?
I’m just a guy, you kno-
You’re boring!
I’m not! Am I?
She calls you her wallflower.
Does she?
Yes. Do you think she can love a wallflower?
No.
Good. I’m glad you’re finally starting to see reason. Look, I know you get a bad rap, you’re not really as passive as everyone thinks. I’ve seen you over the negotiation table. You need to act like that: like it’s a business deal that you have to win no matter what.
So, how do I do that?
Don’t try so hard!
Finally, he understands. He nods to Wanda and heads back towards Della.
[https://i.ibb.co/vL1KKF7/flourish-heart1-small.png]
“How can he have won?” It’s Jacob complaining.
Basil stops short. He smooths down his clothes, removing the sand that still clings to them. He tucks in his shirt and adjusts his hair. He needs to look his best.
Meanwhile, Jacob is arguing with Gemma.
Griff stands nearby, and for some reason he is still dressed only in his underwear – oh, and his watch. Mustn’t forget the watch.
Behind them, Della is gazing longingly at the stars.
On the far side of the River, lights are flashing and the beats keep gaining momentum.
Something is about to happen.
Gemma flicks her gaze towards Griff. She can’t keep her eyes off him.
“He just had, you know” she attempts to explain, “that extra something special.” Her eyes flick toward the bulge in Griff’s underpants. I hope that’s not a sock. A big, beautiful sock.
Jacob turns to Griff, “I’ll pay you ten thousand dollars if you withdraw.”
Griff scoffs at him. He could really use the money, but beating Jacob is worth more than money to him.
“Fifty-thousand. One-hundred thousand!”
“I still say Basil won.” It’s Della.
“Basil?” Jacob, Griff and Gemma cry as one.
Basil takes his cue. He steps forward.
“Summoned, I appear.”
“Where’s Wanda?” Griff asks.
“She said she had to see another client.”
Griff checks his watch. “Already? Bugger!”
Jacob laughs loudly.
“What?” Gemma asks, not making the connection.
Basil ignores it all. He strides between them and stops before Della.
“Della,” he says.
Della turns away from the stars to regard him.
“Yes, Basil?”
The music reaches its crescendo.
Basil drops to one knee. He holds out the Ring Box.
“Will you marry me?” He asks as he deftly opens the box lid to reveal the massive diamond ring inside. The months of practice were worth it.
Della hesitates. She’s quite taken aback. Then-
Fireworks erupt from the water, bursts of coloured lights followed by the gut thumping pops.
Della looks at them in wonder.
She turns back to Basil. Did you do all this? For me?
Basil smiles nervously, full of fear and hope.
Della stares down at the Ring. Then back to Basil.
“Yes.”
They kiss. The fireworks forming a perfect love heart behind them.
And there it is. That one perfect moment.
Or it would be if their friends weren’t bickering.
“What do you mean Wanda’s a whore?” Gemma asks, “And how do you know, Jacob?”