"Uh…I don't know if I'm ready to discuss that…yet." Castle stammered, at a loss at how easily Isabella had figured out his troubles and also feeling a little uncomfortable discussing Beckett with anyone, especially since he didn't have it clear in his own head what he and Kate were anymore.

Isabella smiled at his stammering. "Hmmm, this must really embarrassing for you if you're getting all tongue-tied. Does it have anything to do with your muse, that police detective you're allegedly following?" For effect, she did the air quotes sign with her fingers when she said "following", a mischievous grin on her face.

"Wh-what? No, not at all. And what do you mean allegedly following?"

"Come on Rick, you're famous. The fans on the internet message boards speculate that you and your muse are more than friendly, if you know what I mean."

Castle's face reddened. "So you're saying you've been on those message boards, then?" He was trying his hardest to embarrass her, hoping she would switch subjects.

With her chin held high, Isa responded. "Yes, I'm not ashamed. I told you earlier you were my guilty pleasure. Now stop avoiding and answer the question. Come on Rick, it's just the two of us. I'm not going to run to Page Six. This will stay between you and me." She reached out, covering his hand with hers, letting him know it was safe to speak.

Castle felt a spark of electricity at her touch and seeing the sincerity in her eyes, he felt at ease. Odd given the fact that she was almost a complete stranger but somehow he felt he could confide in her. Or at least he was secure she wouldn't judge him. "Yeah, it's about her, my muse, Kate. I thought we had a connection, a special bond, you know? And she's involved in a relationship with someone else. Then today, we almost died and she went to him instead of me and I've come to realize maybe I've been fooling myself, that she's never offered me anything more than friendship. I don't know, I'm all mixed up in here." He pointed to his heart. "I'm sorry, Isa. I didn't mean to bring you down and we were having such a good time." He sat still staring at her fingers on his hand.

Isabella squeezed his hand. "Hey Rick, it's okay. I just saw how torn up you looked and thought you might feel better talking about it. And excuse me for butting in, but have you told her how you feel? Maybe you've misread the signals and she is interested in you."

Castle smiled briefly, touched how Isa was trying to console him, give him hope. "Not really, Isa, but she is in a relationship with another guy and has been for awhile, a few months at least. I wouldn't feel right butting in. I may have done many things in the past for which I am not proud that have shown up on Page Six, but I've never ever gotten involved with a married or committed woman. I don't go after another man's woman. I know firsthand how much cheating hurts and I would never want another guy to suffer the same." Castle's mind could not help but go back to Meredith, when he walked in that day and found her in bed with her director. Suddenly, his subconscious interjected in his stream of thoughts. But how about Kyra? She was engaged when you kissed her on the rooftop. Castle growled at his subconscious. That wasn't the same. That was a goodbye kiss. I knew there was no future with her, that she would be happier with her fiancée. God, he had to stop these inner monologue fights before someone noticed or he would be committed soon!

Isabella's face turned serious, like a parent scolding a child. "Rick, you've got stop with the excuses. You can't keep suffering in silence. I know you say she's spoken for but she has to know how you feel. That way she can make an informed decision as to whether you're worth risking her current relationship. If you're not, then at least you know and you can move on. Wouldn't that be better than not knowing? Come on, Rick, grow a pair!" Isabella grinned, hoping to motivate the writer to act.

Castle looked down, clearly ashamed for his cowardice in not confronting Kate and having someone else point it out to him. Still, trying to not give in to Isa, he softly said, "Yeah, I guess. Maybe." When he looked up, he saw Isa's serious expression, the flaring of her nostrils, and the glare she was giving him, and he finally relented. "Okay, okay. Yes, you're right. It would be better than this limbo. God, I can see how you're such a good lawyer, nobody could refuse that glare." Still, even angry, she looked quite hot. How did she do it?

Isabella laughed, "It's an Italian Mafia thing; nobody can withstand the glare!"

Castle chuckled, hoping she didn't have any mob ties. "Seriously, though, thanks Isa, I needed that kick in the pants to jump start me out of this haze I've been in. I appreciate it. And thanks for not thinking I'm a sap or something similar."

Isabella could see the gratitude in his gorgeous blue eyes. "You're not a sap, Rick, not much anyway." Her soft smile disappeared as she glanced down at her watch. "It's already past six, Rick. I need to get going, need to pick up some dinner."

Rick's face turned to worry. She was leaving? It was so easy to talk to her. And she was distracting him from thinking about Kate. He had to say something soon, before she left. "Are you sure you have to leave? Maybe you'd like some company." His throat went dry, waiting for a response, trying to give her his most convincing puppy dog eyes and charming smile.

Isabella sighed, "Rick, no thanks." Seeing the disappointment in his eyes, she continued. "Not that it wouldn't be tempting. Hell, you're good looking, charming, observant, sweet…but you're not in the proper state of mind right now for someone like me. You need to see if it will work out with Kate. And me, my life is complicated."

She reached for her purse, pulled out her wallet and showed Castle the photo of a young child about 9-10 years old dressed in his soccer uniform. "I have a son, Rick. This is Paul, the love of my life. I had him when I graduated college. His father was more interested in obtaining his MBA so I've had to raise him alone, through law school, through all stages of my career and I do not regret a single second of it." Her motherly pride was quite evident in her tone.

Castle remained silent, even more impressed with the woman before him, at all she had accomplished while raising a child on her own. And his smile told her so more than any words could have.

Isabella acknowledged Castle's silent praise with a wink. "I've done well by him and my practice is flourishing. Not to toot my own horn, but last month, I was selected as one of the top ten federal immigration appellate lawyers in the country. But as a single mother, I have to be responsible in my personal relationships. Not that I'm looking for an engagement ring on the first date, but I definitely am looking for something more serious than a one-night stand or a booty call. Hell, with our looks, either of us could get one of those at the drop of a dime, especially you, with your fame and money. But you've got things to sort out in your life first, even if you were interested in someone like me."

Castle gave her a look that told her any sane heterosexual man would be interested in her. Isabella stood and pulled out her pen and a card from her wallet. She wrote a number on the back and handed it to Castle, who took it.

"Rick, here's my cell number. If it doesn't work out with Kate and you decide to look for something, someone with substance for something more than a passing fancy, give me a call. But don't take too long, cuz this hottie Italian lawyer won't be single long."

She smiled and gave Castle a sexy wink. "Forget about that shy fan you first saw when you met me. This is the real me, never at a lack for confidence."

She leaned over and Castle stood, as she gave him a kiss on the cheek. Her lips were soft and Castle caught a sniff of her perfume, sweet and intoxicating. "If I don't hear from you, at least I got quite a bar story and an autographed book out of it. Good luck, Rick. Thanks for everything and take care."

"You too, Isa. You were a godsend today. Thanks again." He really did not want her to leave. God, he wanted to do things to her, with her. But just like that, Isabella walked toward the booth with her office staff, waved goodbye to them, and was soon out the door.

A part of Castle wanted to follow and chase Isa down. But the rational part of his brain told him everything she said was right. He slumped back down in the booth and stared at the business card in his hand. Isabella Santori & Associates, P.A. He put the card in his wallet with a sigh. His head and heart were not in the right place for someone like her, not when there were still unresolved issues with Kate. But he would not resolve them today, not when he thought he might interrupt some life-affirming activities with Josh. Aaargh! God, he didn't want those images floating in his head, especially now that he was alone again. No, he'd resolve those issues tomorrow, first thing in the morning. Looking around, seeing the jovial faces of the Happy hour crowd and hearing their laughter and merriment, Castle felt more alone than ever. He stood up, left his tumbler of whiskey unfinished, and waved goodbye to Brian. He thought back to his meeting Isabella; at least something good had come out of his misery. And with a small smile, he tightened his jacket around him and went to hail a cab in the frigid March night.

A/N: Still don't own Castle. Thanks to all who have reviewed and are following the story! I know this chapter is shorter than most but I felt like I owed you all a quick update as Chapter 3 ran long. Sorry to those who wanted to Castle to sleep with Isabella right away, but she won't be gone forever. I like her character so I'm sure she'll find a way back into the story. Later! :-)