No Surprises Here

Toni slowly closed the door as Ben drove away and walked back to her kitchen. She looked around at the groceries to be put away and poured another glass of iced tea and sat down at her kitchen table. The more she thought about this surprise wedding Ben was planning the more upset she became. "If I had any guts at all I’d pick up the phone and tell Liana what was going on." She said to a bag of apples.

The sound of another car door followed by the front door opening told her Richie was home. He came through to the kitchen and pulled a beer out of the fridge, "what’s up with you?" he asked moving over to give her a quick kiss.

"What’s the biggest surprise you ever gave me Richie?" she asked taking a drink out of her glass.

Richie sat down opposite her, "ah geez Toni, I dunno maybe Christmas in New York?"

Toni pursed her lips, "yeah that was probably it everything else I figured out. I had an interesting visitor a while ago Ben Wade stopped by."

"Oh yeah what did he want?" Richie sat his beer bottle down

"Wants me to be a matron of honor at his wedding…I repeat HIS wedding."

"Why do you say it like that he’s mentioned wanting to give Liana a special wedding before."

"I know he has Richie but he’s planning a surprise wedding…going to tell her on the way to the church." Toni sat back nodding her head, "he’s planning the whole thing even bought the dress."

"More power to him…not something I’d do but you know different strokes…why does it bother you?"

"You wouldn’t do that to me would you?"

"Hell no…I know better," he grinned

"I don’t know why it bothers me so but it does, I tried to talk some sense into him but he’s got his mind made up." Toni picked up her glass and dumped the contents down the sink. "I know it’s none of my business…"

"Exactly right Toni so stop right there don’t go any farther."

"But Richie…"

"No Toni stay out of it, I don’t understand why you’re making such a big deal out of it. What have you got to munch on?"

Toni tossed him a bag of crisps, "did you get your car fixed?"

"Yeah, Colin’s got a good crew they got right on it. What’s for dinner?"

Toni was busy putting away her shopping, "I have no idea."

Richie watched her a minute, "How would you like to go out for dinner Mrs. Roberts?"

"I would like that very much Mr. Roberts," she turned and smiled. "What brought that on?"

"What do you mean what brought it on I’d just like to take you out you look kinda cute…thought I might get lucky later on."

Toni laughed, "Oh you did huh…ply me with food and no doubt drink and think I’m all yours?"

Richie smiled, finished his beer and tossed the bottle in the trash. "Yeah…something like that," he said slipping his arms around her and grabbing her bottom.

"Richie I’ve got eggs in my hands," cried Toni

"I got something better in mine," He kissed her soundly as the eggs found their way to the stovetop.