Kate stood in the shower, lost in thought, letting the water run through her hair. I really should shave my legs, she thought. She didn't typically think about such trivial things; her legs were usually buried under slacks anyway. But tonight was different somehow. She had been reading the personal ads for a few weeks before she got up the nerve to reply to one. It seemed like a perfect match. Like it was written just for her.
Seeking a woman who appreciates slow dancing, crossword puzzles, knows how to exercise her body and mind, thinks Richard Dawson is attractive, and is looking for a partnership in life. She'd responded right away. She couldn't turn down something so specific. They agreed to meet at The Fresh Dawn Restaurant and she would have a yellow rose with her. Tonight she would meet the blind date who could be her escape.
But she still felt a little odd about it. Almost like she was cheating. After all their years working so closely, sharing such intense experiences, and especially after their accidental connection at the sports bar around the corner, Kate still harbored deep feelings for her partner.
As she absent-mindedly lathered and ran the razor up her legs, her thoughts wandered aimlessly through the years of mathematical detective work. She remembered her first impressions: What have I gotten myself into? Away from home, no friends yet, and this was my partner? And then seeing the intelligent problem-solver beneath the goofy absent-mindedness. And his trial. I really was concerned. Her heart was softening. And the Maltese Pigeon. What the heck was that? And she knew something was brewing toward genuine affection when she felt his hands on her while they danced in their office. And I remember how I felt when I watched that car get smashed.
Maybe I should keep waiting, she thought. Our night at the bar and our days in the office, so good. So sweet. But stuck in potential energy status. No. It's time to move on. I'll just keep getting hurt if I keep waiting. I've got to let it go. He's just not interested. If he was interested, he would have been more forthcoming after our night in the bar.
With a start, Kate looked up at the clock above her mirror. She jumped with panic and excited anticipation. Only thirty minutes until she was supposed to meet her date. In a flurry, she toweled off, dried and styled her hair. She pulled on her nice jeans, over-the-shoulder sweater, and pearls. She held up two pairs of underwear, one her standard beige, and one black. She knew it was probably unwise to assume this first date would wind up in bed, but she chose the black underwear anyway, just in case.
George walked into the restaurant and straightened his bow tie. He could do this. Martha was off in California training for the Peace Corps. She'd filmed a TV series on kung fu self-defense. She'd moved on. He missed her. But he was lonely and ready to at least try moving on. The sports bar with Kate had been cozy. Wonderful. Too soon, but a glimpse of what could be. And oh! He was nervous.
He hadn't felt ready to pursue her overtly in recent weeks, but he desperately hoped it would be her sitting across from him at the table tonight. He couldn't imagine moving on with anyone else.
He glanced around the casual restaurant, and took a sharp breath.
Indeed, at a table for two across the room, sat his partner with her back to the door. And beside her sat a yellow rose.
He stood stalk-still for a few seconds. She had turned to look up at the server, and he knew her smile in an instant. And the curve of her face. It was really her. Then he gathered his wits and strode to the bar.
"I'd like two pina coladas."
Kate jumped a little. The voice behind her at the bar sounded very familiar. She waited a minute and then turned around.
"Hi George!" She said cheerfully. "What are you doing here?"
"Kate…" he breathed out slowly, taken aback by how...feminine she looked. Instead of her real-estate-esque uniform, she was wearing jeans, a revealing sweater, and a necklace.
"You look so, um, relaxed!"
"Thanks, George. But I repeat, what are you doing here?"
"I've got two pina coladas on the bar!" The bartender hollered.
George picked them up and handed one to Kate. "This is for you, Pard," he said softly. And George took a seat on the other side of the table.
Kate sat rendered completely speechless.
George leaned forward on his elbows and just grinned as he watched her stutter through several attempts.
"But how did you know I would respond?" She finally asked.
"I had a hunch. You left the personal ads on your desk one evening. And I know what you're in to," George smiled.
"But-but-" Kate continued to stammer. Finally she crossed her arms and humphed. "Well. Was that satisfying?"
"Why, yes. I am satisfied," George said, folding his arms and sitting back. Then he said gently, "And I am relieved."
Kate took a sip of her pina colada and just shook her head, but her eyes twinkled. "Truthfully, I'm relieved too, George. I almost felt like I was cheating on you, coming here today."
George chuckled. "I get that feeling."
George and Kate were quiet for several moments, sipping on their drinks, neither quite believing the other was sitting across the table.
While they waited for their chow mein and cashew chicken, George spoke up, "I'm so sorry, Kate, for never asking you about your weekends. I'm sorry for talking about Martha so much, even when it was obvious how you felt about me."
"Was it that obvious?"
"Well, around the time we tackled our last L.A. case, the one about the ersatz earthquake, I was beginning to clue in." He slid his hand across the table and took Kate's hand and smiled. "Things with Martha were really beginning to deteriorate, and I began to see you in a different light. And I'm sorry for taking so long to get here."
"Oh George. I don't blame you for talking about Martha. She was your wife. You loved her. And from the sounds of it, you two enjoyed some good times."
"Oh we did. But I can see now that it just wasn't going to work long-term. Did you know she's preparing to join the Peace Corps in Western Africa?"
"No, but that sounds like something she would do. And what would you like to do, George?"
George looked at his partner thoughtfully. "You know, I'm pretty content to do my job well, coach some baseball, and explore the culture this big city has to offer. I already have most of what I want. I suppose, though, I'd really like to have some children of my own. I might even be open to staying home to care for them. What do you want, Kate?"
"I really love working at Mathnet. But sometimes I don't know if that's because I love the adventure and the mathematics in real life, or because I love coming to work and seeing you. I'd like to be a mom, I'd like to do some theater on the side. I've missed that. Coming to New York has actually opened up some great opportunities for me there."
"Kate, that would be so great for you. I would love to come and watch you on Broadway! What fun!"
Kate smiled, and wondered for the first time in a long time if Broadway really could be a thing for her. "I would be honored to have you in the audience, George. But I might be extra nervous!"
George reached over and squeezed her hand. "You know I'd be your biggest fan, Kate Monday. Hey, let's go for a walk in Central Park. I'm not ready for this first date to end!" George said, and called the waiter over.
"Will this be one check or two?" The server asked politely.
"Just one," George said and grinned.