The Engagement

But tonight was special and Maggie really wanted Liam to be proud of her. Maybe he would notice the new red dress she bought specifically for his exciting announcement and celebration! Before she knew it, Liam was knocking at her door. With her hair bouncing smoothly past her shoulders she put her pearl earrings on quickly and fiddled with the string of pearls her Godmother had given her for her sweet sixteenth birthday. She opened the door and rushed to hug Liam… But it wasn’t Liam. The man standing in front of her was a few years older and was wearing torn jeans and a slightly not-so-white tee shirt pulled tightly across a very impressive torso. His dark hair needed cutting badly and his messy stubble suggested a shave was in order too, but his green eyes sparkled like emeralds in a jewelry store. She struggled to catch her breath and say hello. “I’m Mike,” the guy said. “I live across the hall and I wanted to give you this.” He reached to her with a hand full of mail. “Guess the postman put your mail in my box. So, if you are Marguerite Adams, these are for you.” “Yes, yes. I’m Maggie,” she stuttered. “Nice to meet you. And thank you for bringing me my mail.” She was stunned. This stranger, no, her new neighbor, was totally unexpected and she struggled for words. “Yeah, well, looks like you have a hot date so I guess I’ll see you around. Have fun.” And he turned and started to walk to the door directly opposite hers. “Oh, and, well, you look really nice. I mean, really pretty!” Maggie felt her cheeks blush. She looked pretty! Wow! She closed the door and studied herself in the mirror. If a stranger said she looked pretty, Liam was going to be totally blown away. ***** After Maggie got settled on the sofa, she picked up her phone to call Kath. She prayed the ring tone wouldn’t wake Kath’s parents and was relieved to hear her pick up on the first ring. She glanced at the clock and realized it was three o’clock in the morning. “This better be good,” Kath said as she answered her cell phone. “And Merry Christmas to you, too,” replied Maggie. Suddenly the stresses of the evening hit Maggie and she began to sob into the phone. “What happened? What’s wrong? Where are you?” shouted Kath. Maggie tried to compose herself but it was so hard to keep her emotions in check. “It’s Liam,” she said. “He gave me a diamond ring.” “Oh gosh,” said Katherine. “And all you got him was a red sweater.”