Love Taps: A Chronicle of Cashmere Series

 ***This is the third and final installment of my fanfic about me and Chris Evans.  Some may call it a love letter.  I call it a well versed thirst trap.  Chris holla!  Here is the third and final soundtrack to go with the chapter.

You can find the first chapter of the fanfic here and the second here.  Truly hope you enjoyed it and as long as Chris stays fine, not racist and smart, I'll have more stories about him.***

1-

    The exit sign to the bowling alley began to blur because Tiana was staring at it for so long.  Marlo and Nadine surround her, looks of concern on their faces.

"What's up?"  Marlo asks.

"What do you need us to do?" Nadine asks.  They knew when to swoop in.  Their friends boyfriend punching a dude out and then leaving with another woman was 'swoop worthy'.

Tiana shook herself from her trance, "Nothing, nothing. Let's just continue on..."  As soon as she said that Scarlet reappeared looking like the cat who swallowed the canary.  A few seconds later Chris appeared.  Tiana felt that punch to her gut again.  Chris walks over to Sebastian who is still sitting on the floor, he helps him up and takes him towards the exit.

 The rest of the night seemed to be a blur of people talking around Tiana and everything sounding like it was underwater; her brain was processing what happened and Chris would appear but never near her.  Finally she had enough and asked Marlo and Nicole to get her home.  Without a word, they were outside and getting in an Uber SUV.

"So he punched Sebastian....and then..." Tiana was thinking out loud.

"Then took that ho outside and then came back and just seemed to avoid you." Nadine says.

"So he was avoiding me right? I am not crazy?"  Tiana looks to both of her friends.

"Yeah....he seemed to be actively avoiding you."  Marlo says thoughtfully.

Just as Tiana was about to let a few expletives out she feels her phone vibrating.  Chris is calling her.  She takes a deep breath and answers.

"Chris..." she says, she knew her tone was lethal.

"Where are you?" he seemed to match her tone.

"I left."

"That's fucking obvious-"

"Chris, there was a lot that happened and I need to process.  Can we talk tomorrow?"  Tiana takes a few meditative breaths.

He was silent for a while, "I'll come to you."  The click indicated that he hung up, but Tiana still held the phone to her face.  At least she had time to think about how she would approach all that happened...mostly why?  Was Chris upset that Sebastian was with his...woman?  Was there something that happened or was happening with Scarlet?  He seemed to spend all his time when he wasn't working, with Tiana but that didn't mean that she was just a place holder for someone else.  Tiana wished she could forget the look on Scarlet's face when she came back into the bowling alley, like she won. With Chris avoiding her during the rest of party, the writing appeared to be on the wall.

Marlo and Nadine took turns patting Tiana's hand or knee knowing that silence was best because their friend looked broken in a way that words could not possibly express or console.

----

    He sat in his car a bit before he walked to her doorstep.  He did not want to do this, he felt a heaviness and his usual darkness that had been kept at bay start to surround him again.  Chris seemed to blink and be at Tiana's door.  She opens the door a few moments after he knocks.  She looks sad and beautiful- his arms were around her before he could stop himself.  He didn't know he was holding his breath until he felt it release when he felt her hold him back.

Their connection so deep he barely had to say a word.  She knew.  He explained that as much as he wanted to be with her, he wanted it to be good and with the 'Sebastian thing' it wasn't.  He said he needed to figure out the 'Scarlet thing' as well...but he failed to explain that it didn't mean he wanted to be with Scarlet.  He needed to understand what her feelings for him were and if he lead her on.  

Chris couldn't put his finger on it, but there was a moment when he knew he lost Tiana.  He lost her and a chance at being his happiest.  She listened and understood but the distance he felt from her grew to be unbearable.  She stood at her window, arms crossed - almost as if she were holding herself.  He walks over to her and she was in arms again.  Soft kisses eased into clothing being tugged off, they never stopped kissing or touching each other as they made their way to Tiana's bedroom.  The mutual feeling of needing each other and having to said goodbye led to a fiery passion that they couldn't contain.  Chris wanted to take back everything said as Tiana rode him slowly while nipping as his neck...never coming out of her, he flips her on her back and tries to wordlessly let her know that he was hers and that he could never let her go.

He slowly opens his eyes and smiles remembering where he was.  One of his long muscular arms searches for her body to pull close to him but he is in the bed alone.  His eyes search for her and there she is watching him from her vanity chair.  She has on his t shirt and he sighs because again she was so beautiful but looked so sad.

"I have to go to a few fittings for the premiere and press junket...."  She stands and stretches, and before she reaches her bathroom, "...please don't be here by the time I am done showering."  The bathroom door gently closes.  Chris stares at her ceiling, heartbroken.

2-

  Tiana was thankful for her East Coast roots.  She felt it gave her the ability to go into 'protection mode'.  This meant compartmentalizing- she went about her days working and acting seemingly normal, then she would go home and cry until her face hurt.  Feelings were a bitch. She would allow herself to dwell in the confusion and grief. Confusion because Chris didn't seem like he wanted to break up...the feeling of walking out her bathroom after she asked him not to be there, and there he was.  Sitting on the edge of her bed head in hands.  Then he says 'just give me time' and he kissed her in that way that he did that left her unable to function.

That was a month ago and since then it has been 'radio silence'.  Tiana tries hard not to check 'her resources' to see if there are any stories about he and Scarlet- there didn't seem to be any.  It was the little things.  Eventually, Tiana knew she would have to interact with Chris during the press junkets, and she was building herself up to be able to do that.

She tried to focus on the excitement of going international.  The initial press and premiere would be done in London, then New York and then L.A..  Tiana immersed herself in dress fittings which were made fun by her friend and up and coming designer Zendaya- just one name.  She was actually great enough to just go by one name...and after Tiana was styled by her she would be the buzz of Hollywood.  Tiana just asked that she didn't forget her when she 'made it big'.

As always, just when Tiana got to a place where she saw herself getting over Chris something would happen to knock the wind out of her.  This time she decided to ride a bike to Venice Beach and check out this coffee shop her friend Nadine recommended.  The bike ride was exquisite and made Tiana extra excited to explore Venice Beach.  She entered the 'groovy' little cafe with its smells of coffee and cinnamon in the air.  An old Blues Traveler song played in the background not interfering with the low chatter.  As Tiana looked up at the menu, her skin began to get tingly...then the butterflies in her stomach...she looked around the cafe and met Chris's eyes.  He was at a table with Sebastian who was starting to turn around to see who Chris could possibly be looking at like that. Tiana darted out of the door before he fully turned around.  She didn't understand why she felt the need to run but she knew she had to.  Of all the cafes in Venice Beach he had to be at this one.  She was leaning on the cafe wall outside to catch her breath, her eyes closed.  As she opened them, there was Chris standing in front of her with a mix of amusement and...something else in his eyes.

"The place is great, please don't let me keep you from it..."  He smirks and starts to stand a little too close to her.

She wanted to wrap her arms around him, but instead she chose to hurt him so she could just get on her bike and head home, "I was meeting a date and thought it would be awkward."  His expression doesn't change.

"Really?"  He crosses his arms over his well defined chest.

"Yeah...I should go."  Tiana takes out her phone as if she needed to use it.  Chris stands in front of her.

"Don't do that.  Don't lie to me...I am hurting just as much as you and I don't want to be with anyone else.  I just don't want what we have to get marred by mess..."

"And you have to work through all these new feelings- I get it.  Just don't expect me to wait around for you while decide who you want to be with-"

"There's no question about that." His arms are down at his sides, and he is still in front of her.

Tiana leans her forehead against his chest. At the time it felt like the best way to process this.

Chris rubs her shoulders, "Just give me a little more time.  Please."

----

London

Evan Peters eyed a few of the treats laid out on the table.  He thoughtfully sips his tea as he paced and tried to decide if he wanted a biscuit or a muffin that they added for the Americans.  His thoughts are interrupted by one of the actors from the cast he was interviewing.  It was Hasan Minaj, he smiles at Evan and then grabs a parfait off the table.  

"Hallo mate..." Hasan says in a bad British accent.  Evan rolls his eyes and nods quickly.  Suddenly there is a melodic laugh that makes them both look towards the door.  After a few moments Tiana enters on her cellphone, she ends her call when she sees them.

"Ah hello..." she says and immediately goes over to Hasan.  They hug and start to speak to each other in low voices.  Though she maintained eye contact with Hasan, Tiana could feel that Evan's eyes never left her.

Slowly, the green room filled with more cast and a few producers, Tiana tried appear seemingly calm as she eyed the door for Chris.  She managed to avoid him since the run in at the cafe`-though he text her to travel safe to London.  As she moved to place herself far away from the entrance, she realized she forgot about the interviewer Evan Peters who was eyeing her like a crumpet...who she just bumped into.

"Oh,,,sorry." she says.  He eyes her up and down and then looks intensely into her eyes.

"Hello Ms. Jordan.  All good, are you a bit nervous?"  His eyes were intense, he found Tiana ravishing.  He decided post interview he would make himself available for drinks with her.  If she were the typical up and coming actress he was used to, he would be inside her before Big Ben stroke midnight.  He smirks.

Tiana steps back, his smirk was one of the creepiest things she had seen in a while, "I guess."  She looks to make eye contact with someone to save her and....its Sebastian.  Just as she looked for anyone else, she feels a hand on the small of her back and looks up to see Chris.

He holds his free hand out, "Hello Evan, Chris Evans,"  He smiles his winning smile, Evan tries to add a bit of strength to his handshake but it was no match for Chris.

"Mr. Evans.  Looking forward to a lively interview.  Very excited about this movie, have only heard good things."  He meets Chris's eyes but continues to look over at Tiana.

"Thank you.  I have a great cast-including my fantastic leading lady," Chris looks at Tiana and she smiles up at him.

"Yes she is fantastic."  Evan eyes Tiana up and down again.

"Can you excuse us?  Tiana I need to go over a few things with you and Hasan."  Chris briefly nods at Evan and leads Tiana out of the room.  They continue walking until they find an empty room.

"Uh where's Hasan?" Tiana looks around and then feels like an idiot. She turns to find a pacing Chris; he appeared to be upset.

"Just give me a minute.  I had to get out of there or I was gonna punch that dude...the way he looking at you."

"I'm an attractive woman..."Chris smiles and stops pacing and goes to stand in front of Tiana. 

"You are beautiful....stunning....," he lifts up her chin and gently kisses her lips,"...mine.  Let's have dinner tonight...please."

"I'll think about it."  Tiana took a deep breath and started to leave the room.  Chris's cashmere covered arm wraps around Tiana's waist from the back and then spins her around to face him.  He begins kissing her neck as he makes her walk backwards until she was against a wall.  His hands are on her thighs as he begins shimmying her dress up.  he drops to his knees and looks up at her.

"Hoping this will make you lean towards a yes and make you...less nervous."  He kisses her inner thigh...

Tiana gasps and lifts a leg to put on Chris's shoulder.

--

 A very relaxed Tiana decided to head back to the hotel post interview, she moved especially quick when she saw Evan making a b-line for her.  As she made her way through the Savoy Hotel lobby she felt her phone vibrate.

Hasan: Pub crawl tonight. Meet in lobby at 10!

Tiana: Ok!

She sighed because now she had an excuse not to meet with Chris...though deep down she wanted to.  She taps the up elevator button as her phone vibrates again.

CE: It's good we are having dinner at 8 so that gives you enough time not to back out because of that pub crawl...

Tiana smiles and rolls her eyes.

Tiana: You know me too well... where are we meeting?

CE: I'll have a car pick you up at 7:30

After a long shower and choosing a dress she hoped would drive Chris mad (goes to London once), she makes her way downstairs to wait for the car Chris sent.  Within minutes of stepping out of the doors, a black Bentley Continental pulls up.  The driver steps out and goes to the open the back passenger door for her.  To her surprise as she slides in, there is Chris in a damn fine burgundy velvet suit.  She was glad she chose the dusty rose silk slip dress- the perfect compliment to his suit.

"Wow..." even in the dark, Tiana could see his eyes sparkling.  Chris takes her hand and turns it to kiss her inner wrist.

"You look handsome...you didn't have to go all out because of Mr. Peters."  She laughs as Chris gently bites her wrist.

"That wanker has nothing on me."  He says and interlocks his fingers with hers.

They arrive at a restaurant that appears to be closed but as they go inside Chris explains that he had the restaurant shut down so they could dine alone.  A private moment with just the chef and a lone waiter.  A set table in the middle of the restaurant lit only by candlelight.  Tiana knew of romance and played 'it on TV'; this was really happening to her.  Romance.  There were the butterflies and uncontrollable way she smiled.  Slowly, the thoughts....the memories crept back up and she didn't allow herself to get caught up in it.  Right now, Chris was into her and didn't want to see her with anyone else.  Unfortunately, she was in love with him and needed to remain in protection mode.

He tugs her hand to lead her to the table; he pulls a chair out for Tiana to sit.  As they take their seats, a waiter sets champagne glasses down, shows Chris the bottle and after he nods, he pours.

Clink! They tap they glasses and lock eyes as they sip.

"Mmmmm- that's a good year."  Tiana says, she squints at Chris as he is doing his amused smile.

"Are you pretending to know champagne?" He asks.

"Maybe."  Tiana shrugs, he chuckles.

"I hope you don't mind I set the menu for tonight-"

"Well, you are the director....always in control."  Now Tiana smiled as Chris eyed her.

"You think I'm always in control...you don't think you have any control over me?"  That question matched with his intense stare made Tiana shift a bit in her seat.  Did she have control over him?

"I- do I make you feel like you've lost control?" 

He sips his champagne, "Isn't that what love is supposed to do?"

Tiana gulps her champagne. If she could've run out the restaurant, she would've.  "You're really trying to make sure I stick around while you....figure things out..."

"Maybe I'm done-"

She stops him, "Let's just enjoy this dinner and not say anything we can't follow-thru with."

Chris knew this would be hard, getting her back and he was willing to do whatever it took.

New York

    Since the cast and crew were small that went on these press tours, they enjoyed hanging out together.  On this night post interview they decided to karaoke in K-town.  The drinks flowed as the cast and crew took over a large room.  There was laughter and no one seemed to notice Chris and Tiana being cordial but avoiding each other so no one could see that if they touched just once then their secret would be out.  After a few drinks though, Tiana was feeling the moment and walked up to Chris who was chatting with Sebastian and nudged him.  He smiles and nudges her back.

"Let's do a song." She says.

"Um, what song would you like to do?"  He smirks, he stops himself from pulling her closer to him.  He crosses his arms across his broad chest just in case.

"When I scream out Chris, just come up and grab a mic."  She winks as she walks away.  Chris does not take his eyes off of her.

"You are done for my friend." Sebastian puts a hand on Chris's shoulder.

"I know."  His smile shows he doesn't mind it.

---

    As Chris takes a sip of Sapporo, the room seems to go quiet as he hears Tiana on a microphone, "Chris. Oh Chris Evans, please come to the stage now."  There was no stage, just the front of the room.  Everyone starts cheering as it was his first time grabbing a mic.  Someone places a mic in his hand as his walks to the front of the room still holding his beer...again to keep from touching Tiana.  

"What song we doin'?"  His sparkling eyes cause the butterflies to reappear in Tiana's tummy.  

"'Regulators'."  She smiles as Chris nods.

"Am I Warren G or Nate Dogg?"  He asks, as if saying 'challenge accepted'.  He begins rotating his shoulders and cracking his neck.  The room is 'ooooing' and clapping.

"Nate Dogg of course."  She shrugs and begins bopping as the music starts.

They as the kids say: killed it!  

Tiana was confident in her Warren G and was shocked at Chris hitting all of Nate Dogg's notes and not even needing to the read the words.  They incorporated impromptu choreography getting the crowd into it.  There were hi-fives and cheers when they were done.  Chris was encircled by everyone being so shocked by his performance.  He looked for Tiana and when they made eye contact he winked.

"That was great." Sebastian says, and seemed genuine.

Tiana nods and slips out of the room.  She needed air.  She wanted to hug Chris and show public affection-but she knew that wasn't in the cards.  Once outside, she decided to walk back to her hotel which was in Tribeca.  A long walk would clear her head and sober her up.  She thought about London and all the secret moments she and Chris shared.  At this point they appeared to be together, but she didn't know for sure.  He never explained what happened with Sebastian or Scarlet...but they also couldn't resist each other so she went without an explanation.

"Tiana?"  Tiana so deep in thought looks up to see Jesse Williams.  Jesse was an ex who she forgot lived in New York.

"Jesse...hey."  They briefly hug. 

"Always with the furrowed brow over thinking..." He smiles.  Jesse was still one of the most attractive people she had ever seen....but he was a demon.  

"Always randomly popping up with unsolicited comments."  She smiles, he laughs.

"What are you doing here?  I thought you were in L.A.?  Congrats on the new movie."  He seemed sincere.  Tiana remembered this was how he gets you.  He is seemingly nice and interested...and then he just isn't.

"Thanks.  I am still in L.A. but out here promoting the new movie."

"Hey, want to grab a quick drink?"  His sparkling blue eyes are earnest.

"Sure..." Tiana shrugged.  Perhaps this chance meeting would provide her with some guidance with how to wrap her head around the Chris situation.

Tiana let's Jesse lead her through the New York City streets, they wind up in Alphabet City in a bar that was just shy of dive.  They find two seats at the bar and Jesse orders two 'whiskey neats'.  This will be a great mix with all the soju Tiana had been drinking.

"So what have you been up to Jesse?"  Tiana sips her whiskey.

Jesse proceeds to tell how he opened up a theatre and started his own theatre company in Brooklyn.  He talked about collaborations and artist retreats.  Then right as he was about to lean in for a kiss, he mentioned being married.  Tiana backed away with a laugh.  

She pats Jesse on the back, "Never change."  She then stands and leaves.  For her safety, she decides to order a Lyft home.  Thankfully it came before Jesse came out after her.

The hotel lobby was pretty empty when Tiana entered.  Just a concierge and a few people standing near the baby grand piano.  When she got to her room, admittedly she was a little sad there was no text from Chris.  She thought it was for the best because she just wanted to shower and fall into a deep drunken sleep.

---

    The next morning Tina is awakened by the buzzing of her phone.  She sees that Hasan is calling her.

"Hey..."  Sleep still layered in her voice.

"Wow you disappear and now you miss the crew breakfast...but I can't let you miss your flight.  We meeting in the lobby in thirty."

"You are my G." He chuckles and they both hang up.

Tiana rushes about packing and getting dressed.  As she exits the hotel elevator dressed and luggage in tow, she hears the song 'New York State of Mind' being played on the lobby piano.  Though it sounded lovely she booked it to the counter to checkout.  Then she hears Chris's laugh and looks over at the piano.  There he was playing and laughing at something Hasan said.  Tiana had no clue he played the piano.  She walks over to the now crowd of her castmates and crew...and a few random ladies who were swooning.  Tiana totally understood.

"There she is! Hi-five!"  Hasan is walking towards Tiana with a hand up in the air.  Tiana reluctantly high-5's with Hasan.

Someone says the shuttle buses were there so everyone heads out, but the random ladies start clapping for Chris and telling him how handsome he is in accented English.

Once on the shuttle bus, Tiana goes to put her tote in the seat next to her when she looks up and sees Chris is looking down at her and the seat.  Tiana puts the tote in her lap and wanted to gulp because though she didn't mind sitting next to him, his energy seemed real hot.  Hot in an angry sort of way.  After a few moments he hands her his phone, there is an article open on it.

Starlet Tiana Jordan Seen With Theatre Wiz Jesse Williams

Underneath the title there was a picture of when she and Jesse briefly hugged.  Tiana handed him his phone back and took hers out to text him.

Tiana: Ex I randomly ran into.  He is married.

CE: Randomly ran into when you left the karaoke place with no word.

Tiana: I needed air.

"You are ridiculous."  Chris says out loud- well to Tiana, not to the whole bus.

Tiana decided to continue being ridiculous and lays her head on Chris's broad shoulder.  He leans in closer to her.  She feels his warm hand find hers and he interlocks his large fingers with her smaller, slender ones.  This was the beginning of a new reality for Tiana.

Los Angeles

 Tiana was amazed that somehow there is a picture of her 5 second hug with Jesse that started this obnoxious story about her having an affair with him.  Jesse of course was enjoying his 15 minutes of fame.  Always cheekily saying that Tiana and he were just good friendly exes.  Tiana was amazed that no one caught she and Chris holding hands, or thought anything of them sitting together, or when he drove her home from the airport and stayed at her apartment for the weekend.  He only left because he had to prep for the L.A. movie premiere. 

Then an article came out about Chris and Scarlet being spotted out together and Tiana realized why no cared about them being a little 'bolder'....everyone thought..... no knew, Chris was with Scarlet.

To drown her sorrows, Tiana met up with Marlo and Nadine for Italian food and plentiful wine.

"Yooooo....I cannot believe this whirlwind romance!" Marlo takes a gulp of her wine and shimmies in her seat.

"It's something....I don't know if romance is the right term because of this Scarlet ho."  Tiana sadly sips her wine.  She feels her phone vibrating.  When she finally looks at it she sees that it is Chris.  The second round of vibrations cause her to go outside to take the call.

She takes a deep breath so would hopefully not sound drunk, "Hello..."

"Hey, where are you?"  He sounded like lighthearted Chris.  Like someone who wouldn't completely break your heart.

"Out.  What's up?"  The wine had her feeling a myriad of emotions.  Going from 'aww Chris' to 'fuck Chris'.

"Okay.  Well I just wanted you to know that I will be taking my mom to the premiere..."

"Great, so I am freed up for a date."

"Are you okay?  I just didn't want you to be offended because I wasn't asking you."  The tone was going into 'serious Chris' which could sound like 'angry Chris'.

"I never expected you to ask me so I am not upset."  

"Where are you?" He almost growled.

Tiana sighed, "I'll just see you at the premiere."  She then hung up and went on drowning her sorrows with various wines and her best friends.

----

    Zendaya took a step back to admire her work.  The lavender silk goddess dress that was draped on Tiana's body looked exquisite.  Hair and accessories where perfection. Tiana's face looked like a sad statue.

"You look magnificent...you just need to smile."  Zendaya fluffs Tiana's hair for emphasis.

Tiana smiles but even she almost cringed at her reflection.  The smile never reaches her eyes.  The last couple of days of intentionally not communicating with or seeing Chris made her sad, but it was something she felt she had to do.  At least for her own sanity....for her heart.  It seemed like they wanted to be together but she still didn't feel confident in where she stood with him.

Tiana decided to go alone to the premiere.  She just wanted to exist and be beautiful as she watched herself star in a major movie.  This movie has already changed her life in so many ways and could be her 'push into 'it girl' status' or so her agent says.  She fell in love for the first time which she knew to be true as her limo slowed to let her out onto the red carpet- even with all the turmoil she felt, she had butterflies in her tummy at the mere thought of seeing Chris.

As soon as her Jimmy Choo touched the carpet there were flashes.  Blinding camera flashes- and then Tiana felt a familiar hand at the small of her back.  She rapidly blinked to get her bearings and saw it was Chris in a deep purple blazer.  She couldn't help but smile when she looks up at him.

He leans close to her ear, "I missed you."  They then begin to walk up the red carpet together.  The paparazzi was going wild- Tiana knew they looked great together.

"Ma..."  Chris's Boston accent took its full form; he smiles as his mother walks over to them and he puts his arm around her too.  

Chris's mom holds out her hand to Tiana, "It's nice to finally meet you!"

Tiana shakes her hand and then pulls her in for a hug, "It's great to meet you too, so awkward that it is this way." As they part, his mom winks and smiles at Tiana.

The rest of the carpet was a blur.  Tiana didn't know how Chris timed it, but he knew to be there with her and made her first red carpet fun and less nerve wracking than she thought it would be.

"You look so beautiful."  Chris whispers in her ear as they waited to be seated in the theater.  His eyes sparkling as he took her in; he couldn't understand how she could infuriate him and ignore him yet the moment he is around her he is...giddy.  The way she looks up at him, her eyes filled with excitement....sadness...love.

----

    There was a standing ovation as the movie credits rolled.  Chris was told he needed to go up to the small stage and make a speech, but he had a feeling when he left Tiana's side she would disappear from him...again.  As if reading his mind, his mom loops her arm into Tiana's- who jumps with surprise.  His mom gives Chris a knowing look.  He goes to the stage with more confidence, not even feeling a little bit anxious because his heart was secure.

He takes the microphone and looks down thoughtfully, "Thank you...I hope you genuinely appreciated this film," he pauses as the crowd claps again, "here come the clichés...this was a labor of love and I honestly could not have created this without my cast and crew.  Everyone put their heart and soul into this.  They helped to bring my vision to life and I will be forever grateful.  This film felt different because I not only fell back in love with making film, but I actually fell in love for the first time.  All around life changing experience, highly recommend.  Thanks again for coming out and let's get a little wild at the after party!"  He does the 'raise the roof' with his hands and the crown erupts again. Chris goes to look at Tiana, he wanted to look in her eyes as if to put an exclamation point on what he just proclaimed.  He doesn't catch her eyes though, just her beautiful hair bouncing as she and his mom discussed something heatedly.

Still linked by their arms, Tiana and Chris's mom head to the after party.  They tried to wait for Chris to make his way back to them, but then decided he would meet them there and it would give his mom time to really explain to Tiana that it was not like THAT with Chris and Scarlet.  Tiana thought his love proclamation was about her and was about to escape the theater out of embarrassment, but was reminded that she was linked to his mom and she was NOT letting go.

Once at the after party, they make their way to the bar for drinks.  After a few moments Chris strolls over to them and catches them discussing where to stand for which hor d'ourves.  He smiles.

"Ladies."  He kisses mom on the cheek and then looks at Tiana and kisses her on the lips.  She smiles and kisses him again.  He leans towards her ear, "Cannot wait to get you out that dress and tie you up-"

She pulls his head down and says in his ear, "What about handcuffs, they seem more like a love thing..."

"I am proposing with handcuffs."  He smiles, she laughs.  They kiss a few times more before they remember his mom is there and they were at very public party. Both giddy and excited, they knew they had all the time in the world.

The End