(Uh, I really should have learned all the words to this song.)

Well, one thing's for certain! No one's likely to forget this candlelight ceremony soon!

This isn't an engagement.

It's a wedding pep rally!

After a few songs, the serenading stops and the event takes on a life of its own. Everyone has come out of the neighboring houses and dorms to see what's going on, and pretty soon it becomes one big street party. The band keeps playing, and everyone starts dancing. I'm standing on the steps of the sorority house, watching the whole spectacle in amazement, when I see Phillip waving at me from across the street.

I wondered where that boy had been hiding.

I also can't help but notice how exceptionally hot Phillip looks tonight. He's wearing a Husker T-shirt and a pair of baggy, khaki cargo shorts. Nothing terribly exciting, but damn if he doesn't look good in it. He and Danny still work out together. Danny has been trying to bulk up a bit in preparation for the NFL, and I realize that Phillip has bulked up a bit too. I mean he's always had a great chest and arms, and I don't know, maybe it's because I see him everyday, but I really hadn't noticed how great he looks. I especially like how big the muscles that go from his neck down to his shoulder have gotten.

Wow!

I run down the stairs, across the street, leap into his arms and scream, “Phillip!” I throw my arms around his neck and give him a quick kiss on the lips.

“What was that for?” Phillip yells in my ear, as he grabs my hips and starts dancing with me.

“I don't know,” I shrug. “I can't believe you guys did all of this. I'm so proud of you both!”

Honestly, I really don't know why I just kissed Phillip. All the romance in the air must be adversely affecting me. That, or it's because Phillip looks so hot. I mean it wasn't much of a kiss, just a quick little peck, but for some strange reason, I don't think I would mind kissing him again.

Phillip looks at me intensely for a second, reads my mind, evidently, and gives me a kiss on the lips. This one was just a bit longer than my peck, but still, it's just a friend type kiss.

I ask,“What was that for?”

Phillip just smiles and shrugs his shoulders, like if you don't need a reason, neither do I.

We dance together the rest of the evening. We're both just so happy for Danny and Lori.

We're walking home when Phillip asks me, “So are you bummed you never got to pass your candle?” He's holding my hand and swinging my arm irritatingly high while we walk.

“Well, since I haven't found a guy that can put up with me for longer than about three months, I'd say it's probably for the best.”

“Gosh, what a spectacle that was. Would you ever want to be surprised like that in front of so many people?”

“I don't know, Phillip. Part of me says NO, way too flashy, but most of me says YES, cuz God, what a romantic thing it would be to know that a guy planned all of that, just for me. It would be pretty amazing.” I sigh and shake my head. “But I really don't think I'm gonna have to worry about it.”

“Why? Never getting married?”

“No, I just can't seem to find a guy that can handle me.”

“You are pretty tough to handle,” he replies, while bumping his shoulder into mine.

“Yeah. Well, you and Danny are the only ones that can seem to do it, and darn it, now it's official. Danny's off the market.”

“I guess it's back to just you and me, Princess.”

“Yeah,” I say, wondering if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

The next morning, I get up fairly early and am pouring myself a cup of the coffee Phillip makes me every morning before he leaves.

He is such a morning boy.

Lori comes out of Danny's room and joins me in the kitchen.

“So do I finally get to see this ring?”

“See it? I thought you helped design it.”

“Yeah, well, see if I ever help him with anything again. The shit wouldn't let me see it when it was finished. He said you HAD to be the first one to look at it.”

“Really?” she says, all flushed and happy. She holds her left hand out to show me. I notice she has already perfected the pose of the engaged.

And WOW! The ring sure did turn out beautifully.

It's perfect for her.

“How did you know I've always wanted a marquis cut diamond? I don't remember us ever talking about it,” she says, while putting two pieces of bread in the toaster.

“We didn't. Danny bought the diamond on his own. Did he know that's what you wanted, or did he buy it because it's the diamond shape that looks most like a football?”

“Well, I may have mentioned it once in passing, now that I think about it.”

“I only got to help with the setting,”

“Really?” she says again. I don't think she can believe that Danny did all of this himself.

Really, neither can I.

He's usually not so romantic. I guess he's never had to be that way. I suppose you don't have to work too hard to romance girls when they are throwing themselves at your feet. Still, it's good to know that a guy can be romantic when he finds the right girl.

Maybe there is hope for me.

Sadly, one of the guys that tried to “romance” me this week, thought saying, Hey, wanna get drunk and hook up, was romantic.

Even sadder is, I actually considered it.

So, maybe not.

Somewhere, my prince is waiting.

Ha!

Actually, I don't think he's waiting. I think he's hiding from me.

But back to Lori.

“You know, Lori, other than helping with the setting, all I did was tell him about the ceremony. Well that, and make the candle. Phillip got some pledge to deliver it.”

“I knew I was right about you,” she laughs, then takes a bite of her toast.

“Honestly,” I say over my coffee cup, “I was a bit worried about him getting the football players to do the serenading. Afraid it might be terribly pathetic or totally cheesy. I have to say, I was floored to see the whole fricking marching band there. So, what do you think?” I grin, “Was it worth the wait?”

“Yeah.” She smiles to herself, dreamily remembering last night. “It was definitely worth the wait. Could you believe all that?”

“Not really. Oh God, what kind of wedding are you gonna have? How in the world will you top last night?”

“Actually, there is something we wanted to talk to you and Phillip about. Danny and I decided last night that with him having to report to training camp soon, we're just going to get married on a beach somewhere in Mexico. Probably Cancun.”

I interrupt her, “What are your parents going to say? Aren't they going to freak out about that? Will they go too?”

“Well sure, they will definitely be there, but the wedding will be very small. Like probably only our immediate families and you and Phillip. We'll have a big party when we get home. I'm going to book the trip today. Danny and I are hoping you and Phillip will come and stand up for us at the wedding. You ready to be my maid of honor? Gosh, I can't believe it! It's only a few weeks away!” She's chattering away and practically bursting with excitement. “We'll leave right after graduation. So, will you do it? Will you come?”

“I wouldn't miss it for the world.” I say.

And I mean it.

“On another note,” she says, as she gets up, pours herself another cup of coffee and rinses her plate in the sink. “I saw you dancing with Phillip last night. You know, I think you two belong together.” She sits back down and stares at me. “So, have you guys ever dated or anything?”

“No, to dating. Yes, to anything,” I say with no expression, just to tease her.