Connie Rubirosa rummages through her jewelry box for her other diamond earring. They were a gift from her father after she was accepted at Harvard Law School. Cyrus would be here any minute she thought to herself. And I'm not even close to being ready! For one thing she was still wearing her bathrobe. She'd just taken a shower. Barley. After court, Michael stayed behind to talk to the judge. She'd been planning on a quite night at home with a bottle of wine, after a long day. Turns out Cyrus followed her out. As she was hauling a cab, he caught her arm. They shared a cab and before getting out he offered to take her to dinner. Her response had surprised him as much as it had surprised her, to hear herself say it. She'd scribbled down her address for him and told him to pick her up around seven thirty. When she first started to work for the DA's office, she'd vowed she's never mix her work life with her social life. She thought it'd be easy since she had so little of a social life, except for the occasional drink with friends once or twice a year. Now she was getting ready for a date with Detective Lupo. She finally settled for a midnight blue dress with a sash the complemented her figure. It wasn't too dressy or too casual because she didn't know exactly where they were going. All the while she was getting ready she couldn't seem to keep her thoughts from wander to Michael. True he was handsome but he was also her boss. And at times he seemed to be an inconsiderate jerk. Like the time her pimped her out the juror number eight, then accused her of using her sexuality to get what she wanted. How dare he! Her blood boiled and she felt like smacking that smirk grin off his face. But she'd managed to keep her temper in cheek. Then there were the occasional flirty comments he always threw her way. Like the time when they were in court and the judge had almost thrown out their case because the lab was taking forever to get the facial analysis results. She'd bought them some time by showing the judge a picture of her, in her early teens, to prove that people change over time. She'd been the ugly ducking back then but her looks had improved throughout her college years. Michael had asked to see the picture then remarked that he might've had a chance with her back then. She didn't think much of his comment at the moment but when she tried to ask him later what exactly he meant, he refused to answer and proceeded to change the subject. It was so irritating! Why did men have to be so dammn complicated? Why couldn't they speak plain and simple English? She was so tired of being his consolation prize, a second thought, or arm candy. She didn't know why she put up with his crap. He only remembered her when he was invited to a fancy function and needed a date to show off, so woman wouldn't swarm him. Typical Michael. He believed he was the center of the world. And if he didn't, he certainly acted like it. She tried to put Michael out of her mind and concentrate on Cryus. She wondered what had prompted him to actually make a move. She'd known that he had a crush on her for a while. Every time they were in the same room he couldn't stop looking at her. Overall he was a nice guy so she figured why not? I might help her stop thinking about Michael. And she needed to improve her social life anyways. A knock on the door interrupted her train of thought. She took a final look in the mirror and went for the door. And sure enough it was Lupo.
He took a look at her and said, "Wow! You look great!"
She smiled and said "Thanks! So do you. You look so much better without that old dingy hat"
"Hey! As long as it keeps me warm, I'm fine with it."
She laughs and he says" We should get going. I have a cab waiting." She grabs her purse and closes the door. When they reach the cab, he opens the door for her. "So far, so good " she thought to herself. They both get in. The cabbie apparently has had previous instruction for Lupo, because he takes off once they're in.
"So where are we going?" she asks curiously.
"Wait and see" Cryus responds with a small smile.
Turns out Cryus is pretty funny. But even he can't distract her from Michael Cutter. Being with Lupo didn't feel right to her. But maybe that was because she was being close-minded about it. Personality wise he wasn't so bad. She just couldn't picture anything ever happening between them. They were so different, unlike her and Michael. She forced the thoughts out of her mind and concentrated on the present situation. The cab stop in front of her favorite Italian café.
"How'd you know?" She asks him, getting out of the cab.
"I didn't." He said," I took a lucky guess." He opens the front door for her and they both go in. They sit at a little round table near a window. They order and talk about the latest case while they wait.
"I heard you were quite a hit with the Reverend," he says
"Really." She says curiously." Who told you?"
"Michael. He told everyone actually. He's quite proud, you know?"
"Uh, yeah." She responds trying not to be thrown off by the mention of Michael. Cryus doesn't seem to notice. He keeps talking.
" I heard you charmed him to testify with literature"
"Actually, it was the Bible, but yes"
"I didn't know you were religious"
"I go to church every once in awhile. I'm not a complete atheist. I also think it's important to know a little about every religion. You never know when it'll come in handy."
"True enough" he says.
"So how are the law classes going?" she says, changing the subject.
"Okay, I guess. But I think I'm sticking to the police department"
"I'm assuming that means law isn't your strength."
"Then that assumption would be right." He says. She laughs and says" Law is defiantly my strength or else I wouldn't be able to survive in the DA's office."
They eat and talk. After they're done eating, they go for a walk. By this time they've had a couple glasses of wine and are more comfortable with each other and more relaxed. She leaning against him as they walk and he has an arm around her waist. They walk to a nearby park and sit on a bench.
"I've had a great time," she says.
"Me too." He reaches up to her face and gently pushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She looks up at him and suddenly they are face to face. He leans in to kiss her. She hesitates but also leans in at the same time. The wine starts to get to her head. The kiss goes from slow and sweet to passionate in seconds. She goes along with the moment and wraps her arm around his neck. He runs his hand up and down her back, sending chills up her spine.