The Screenplay

It was another lonely night, but that was quickly becomming commonplace. Eilla twirled her emerald-cut diamonod engagement ring slowly around her ring finger, staring into the eyes of her fiancee from his picture on her nightstand. He had not called yet, and it was almost midnight. Eilla sighed heavily, wondering why he hadn't made his usual 10 pm phone call. For the first time since their engagement, she laid in bed, staring into his green eyes via photograph, and wondered if she had made a mistake.

{Two Years Earlier}

"Don't worry, honey, it looks great," Ben smiled, looking over to his worried girlfriend. She stood there aprehensive, unsure of herself, obsessed with making it perfect.

"Honestly, it looks better off center like that?" Eilla tilted her head, closed one eye, and examined the door. The words "Kelly and Berrera" were scrolled vertically on the right side of the glass door, from top to bottom. She stared particularly at her own last name, Kelly, and began to feel a sense of pride that her name was on the door, even if the spot wasn't perfect to her. "Ok, I can't look anymore, I'm going to drive myself insane." She threw her arms up, surrendering to her racing mind that had not been content with one decor decision yet. She opened the door, watching the white letters gleam in the afternoon sun, and stood for a moment contemplating their placement.

"I'd like to come in too," Ben said as he nudged her in the side with his finger. She smiled back and the two walked inside the store, which was still a mess of boxes and building supplies.

Eilla took a moment to scan the space, imagining the relief it would be to finally open Kelly and Berrera. It was going to be a premiere music supplier, nothing but the best. The location was perfect, the space was huge, and naturally, the rent was high, so Eilla knew she needed to work hard to open the store soon. Her partner, Theo Berrera, had been all over the country looking for just the right inventory. Ben was only there for muscle, that's where his store involvement ended. Ben was a successful sports journalist, who was uninterested in music but more than happy to help Eilla, who he adored. The two of them stood side by side in front of the windows spanning the entire store front, knowing there was still so much work to be done, just unable to find the energy to work anymore today. "Do you want to go?" Ben said after a moment of silence.

"Yeah, I'm exhausted." Eilla replied. They picked up a few odds and ends, shoved some boxes to the walls, turned off the lights and locked the door. "I better call Theo and tell him about all of the progress we made," Eilla smiled and gave Ben a quick thank you hug. He unlocked his black SUV and stepped inside, while Eilla stood on the sidewalk dialing Theo's number.

"Hey," Theo said enthusiastically.

"Someone seems like their in a good mood," Eilla laughed. "What's going on?"

"Well, I am in a good mood. I have a date tonight," Theo said. Eilla could tell in his voice he was smiling on the other end of the conversation. "Remember Casey?"

Eilla did rememeber Casey. She was a tall, thin, stunning model who waitressed at a jazz bar Theo liked to go to. She had think blonde curly hair that spilled down her back, and bright blue eyes that would make you melt. Her teeth were so white they could light up the dark, smoky bar and she had long, tanned legs that were never covered up. The only time Eilla had met her, Casey was timid, but patrons were not put off by this because she looked so good in a short dress. Eilla remembered thinking she seemed nice, but needy.

"Wow, that's awesome!" Eilla said with enthusiasm. "What are you guys going to do?"

"I'm not sure yet, probably Thai food. I thinks she said she liked Thai food. Or was it....Hell, I don't know, but anyway, I have to go but I'll call you tomorrow."

"Sounds good. Have fun tonight," Eilla said, hanging up the phone. She jumped into the SUV where Ben was flipping through songs on a CD. "Theo has a date tonight! I'm so excited for him."

"That's... um... a surprise," Ben forced the words out as he backed out of the parking space. He shifted to drive and as he turned onto the street, he said "I mean, he's cool and all, but I just thought he was too busy to date anyone right now."

"He's no busier than me and I have time for you," Eilla stated. "I'm really happy for him, he hasn't been on a date in years." Eilla thought about how that could be. Theo was attractive, tall, dark skin, dark eyes, chisled face, shaggy hair, and a fun loving and easy going personality that girls flocked too. He could hold a deep conversation or he could breakdance and beatbox. For years he had been focusing on his music and starting his music store, and never put finding a girlfriend in his list of priorities.

"I guess you're right. So who's the girl?" Ben asked.

"Her name is Casey, she's a waitress at the Red's, you know, that jazz bar? She seems nice."

"Oh, the blonde? She's hot." Ben said, obviously viewing Casey's physique in his mind as he slowly nodded his head. "Good for him."

"I hope they have fun," Eilla said. She slinked her hand over to Ben's seat and took his free right hand. "Maybe they'll go out some more and we can double date."

"Yeah maybe," Ben said, clearly less interested than Eilla was in the date. "Hey, you want to stay with me tonight?"

"I better go home, I'm going to go to the store early tomorrow and I know you have that basketball game," she sighed. "When are you leaving?"

"Pretty early. You know I'll be gone for four days, right? You don't want to send me off right?" Ben smiled coyly and placed Eilla's hand on the zipper of his jeans. "You want me to leave in need of some strange female companionship? I'll be in Dallas, and who knows what kind of hookers they have. I'll get myself a cowgirl!" He laughed as Eilla put a look of pretend disgust on her face. She quickly pulled her hand back, but leaned her face into him and whispered into his ear.

"I'll be your cowgirl tonight. I'll stay at your place."