Thanks so much for the warm welcome, everyone! I appreciate the love!
I sit at my desk, still reading through these reports that are taking me hours to get through, because I can't seem to concentrate on what I'm reading. I get to the bottom of a page before I realize I don't remember a single word I've just read. My mind is everywhere besides work. My stomach growls. Maybe I should take a break, go clear my head. I stand up, and grab my jacket from the back of my chair. As I'm swinging it over my shoulders, Walt comes out of his office and heads towards me.
"Where ya headed?'
"I'm starving, I figured I'd head over to the Busy Bee and get some food."
"I'm about to meet Cady for lunch, why don't you join us?"
I stop in my tracks, and look up at him. "Oh, no. I don't want to intrude on your lunch."
"What? You're not intruding on anything, Vic, it's just lunch. Cady was just asking me the other day how you were, come and you can tell her yourself."
I silently debate this in my head for a few moments before giving in, "Ok, uhh sure, why not."
He grabs his coat and hat from the coat rack, before reaching for the door. He holds it open, while looking back at me, waiting for me to go first. It could be my imagination, but I swear he's smiling slightly as I sneak past him.
When we get to the Red Pony, Cady is already there, talking to Henry at the bar. She smiles when she sees me strolling in beside Walt. I wonder if she'd be this happy to see me if she knew the things that went through my mind every time I look at her father. After all, I'm only a few years older than she is. It's ridiculous for me to be having these feelings. I'm not even sure I know what these feelings are.
"Hey, Vic! How are you?" Cady leans in for a light hug when Walt and I get up to the bar. "I haven't seen you in a few weeks. How are you holding up?"
"I'm good." It takes me a moment to figure out why she's so concerned how I'm doing. I haven't had any work related injuries since the abduction, but I quickly realize that she hasn't seen me since the divorce has been finalized. She smiles back at me, waiting for me to say more, but I don't know what else to offer up, so I try to change the subject. "I'm ok, really. How are things with you? Did you get your old job back at the law firm?"
She nods, "I did! It took a bit of convincing, though. After I disappeared for those few weeks a while back, they were hesitant to hire me back on. But after I told them about my success with Henry's case, they decided I was at least talented enough to give me another shot."
"That's good. Everything really is back to normal, huh?" I glance at Walt, and see his eyes were already on me, with a slight smile on his face. "I'm starving, Henry, the usual?"
Walt turns in Henry's direction, too. "Three usuals, Henry." Henry nods, as Walt takes off his coat and sits down at the closest table.
Cady and I join him, and soon they are deep in conversation about something or other. Well, it's mostly Cady talking, and they barely even notice when Henry brings out the food and places it in front of them. I'm not even sure what they're talking about, to be honest. I'm too busy staring at Walt. The way he smiles at Cady makes my heart melt a little more each time I'm around them. He's not a very emotional man, but I can't help but smile over the hold that Cady has over him. At some point, they change the topic of their convo and turn to me.
It's apparent that one of them has asked me a question, because they're both staring at me. I'm about to say something, but I notice that Walt has a bit of ketchup on his face, and before I can stop myself I reach across the table and wipe it off with my napkin. After realizing what I just did, I freeze. Did I really just do that? What the hell is wrong with me?
I look up at Walt, and am surprised to find that he doesn't seem surprised. He doesn't act like I just invaded his personal space, he simply just says, "Oh, thanks," and takes his own napkin to wipe the rest of his face.
I try to act normal, even though in my head I'm screaming at myself. I turn to Cady, "What were you saying?" I can tell she is trying her best to suppress a grin, but I try not to let her know I notice.
"Oh, I was just asking if you were coming to Henry's party here this weekend."
"I didn't know there was a party. What's it for?"
"Well, ever since the charges against Henry were dropped, he wants to celebrate once a month with everybody he cares about, just to make sure he doesn't take anything for granted. You have to come!"
"Ahhh, well…I'm sure I'm free this weekend. I don't have a husband to occupy my time anymore, so I'm free to party all I want!" I said this a little too enthusiastically. They both stared at me, each with an eyebrow raised.
Walt starts to gather his empty tray, "Well alright then." He gets up from his chair and says, "We better get back to the office. Are you ready, Vic?"
I grabbed the napkin from my lap and place it on the empty tray as I stood up. "Yep, good to go."
Walt leans over towards Cady and gives her a kiss on the cheek, "See ya later Punk, thanks for lunch."
"Of course. And thanks for joining us, Vic. I better see you here this weekend."
"You bet. And we'll see about this weekend," I give her a little smirk as I turn to face Walt. He's standing with an arm out in front of him, motioning for me to go ahead of him. I start to walk past him, when I feel him put his hand on the small of my back, leading me out the door.
I try not to obsess over this, because this is normal. He does this for everyone, right? It doesn't mean anything.
Right?
