Chapter 2
Next day, Thursday
New York in the year 2006 featured a snowstorm, which dumped a foot of snow in the city. Snowplows were required to keep streets cleared for driving. Commuters had a rough going as commuter trains, usually the most reliable in the worst weather, were slowed or cancelled.
Yet, people were out and about enjoying the season. Angels, toy soldiers, snowflakes and reindeer galore pranced across the window display of FAO Schwartz, as excited children pointed at the spectacle. Winters' Eve at Lincoln Center came alive with holiday jugglers, elves and other street performers as shoppers and tourists strolled throughout the snowy city.
So despite the cold weather, people were in a cheery mood, as New York City displayed Christmastime with magical snowy sights and charming holiday sounds.
Though the yuletide spirit was not reflected in the office, Connie was at least in from the cold. She felt glad to be working in the warm, howbeit, un-holidaylike office. To make herself feel more festive, she had pinned a little Christmas tree pin on her sweater.
Normally the first thing in the morning she would do is read the mail left on her desk by the latest intern, but today she convinced herself she could do with a wake-me-up cup of coffee.
Of course, that wasn't really the reason why she wanted to journey to the break room.
With her empty mug in her hand, Connie turned to go down the office aisleway. From a distance, she saw- too late- the new prosecutor in the hallway, outside his office. He was conversing with one of the attractive interns.
They seemed locked in conversation. Today he was wearing a pinstripe brown suit, as if he would be going to court.
Connie wanted to turn around and leave, but it would have been too obvious. Just advance swiftly past them, she thought.
The female intern was giggling over something he said. He made another comment to the intern as Connie proceeded down the hallway.
Connie had almost reached them, as he continued his talk with the intern. Sensing someone coming down the hallway, he inherently glanced Connie's way.
Their eyes met.
It was the first sighting he had of her.
He stopped conversing and straightened, entirely aware of her presence.
The intern was giving Connie a look, too.
She felt flustered by the depth of his look. Then she realized that she was staring back. She pushed forward, pretending to be oblivious to his attention.
Giving an "excuse me" kind of smile, Connie pressed herself against the wall as she went by them.
She sensed his eyes on her the whole time.
In the break room she poured the hot coffee into her mug, feeling unnerved by the way he had looked at her. And how she fully looked back at him. She had to mentally tell herself not to think of him.
EADA Jack McCoy, her boss, would be waiting to discuss the file he had placed on her desk. She needed to get back there.
But she did not want to face them again.
Some other office workers strode in. They were talking about today's news. She walked to the doorway of the break room and furtively peeked out and down the hallway.
The passageway was cleared of everyone.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she started back down the long hallway. She just needed to get past his doorway.
Almost there, she thought.
Just as she reached it, unfortunately, she ran into him as he was exiting his office, carrying his briefcase
A little of her coffee slushed over her mug as they bumped. She felt it splatter a little on her sweater as she tried to maneuver her body away from the spill.
"Oh… sorry…you took me by surprised, too," he said, as he held lightly onto her hand to steady it, "are you okay?"
"Fine…just fine." Connie slightly smiled, a little dazed when he touched her.
She meant to just quickly acknowledge him, but when she looked at him up close, she found herself gazing into the most intense blue eyes she had even seen.
It seemed as if he held onto her hand with the mug a little longer than was necessary.
He started to say something, but Connie was all movement, as she continued on her way down the hall.
Why was she so affected by him?
The walk down the hallway seemed long, especially when she suspected he was watching her.
As she continued walking, she decided to turn around and silently lift the mug for him to see, in a gesture that meant, "See? Everything is okay."
He had one hand in his pocket as he held his briefcase with the other. He nodded and smiled.
.
(Please get in the Christmas spirit and present me with a review—it will be much appreciated! Law and Order reviewers—and readers—are the best!)