CHAPTER FOUR: Enchanted Evening
Sterling undid two buttons on the white shirt and stared at his reflection. He gave a smirk and nodded in approval.
"Liv," Sterling called.
Olivia walked into his room and she looked at him.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"Do you have everything?" He asked as he reached for the black coat.
"I have everything." Olivia as she stood in the doorway.
Sterling looked at her as he fixed the collar of the white shirt. There was obvious something he didn't do right to make her ask that question.
"Dinner, that's all," he said.
"What about after? I mean you can't be just having dinner and expect to get a call back." Olivia walked over to him and dusted the lint off his coat.
"Drinks maybe afterwards. Does it matter?" He scooted her out the room.
Olivia smiled and walked downstairs with him. He reached for the heavier coat and slipped it over the suit coat.
"You could at least bring her flowers, women like flowers."
"That only happens in movies. Let's move it along." Sterling grabbed his keys and wallet. "Books, project and overnight bag."
"All in the car." Olivia opened the back door. "Dad, are you nervous?"
"Do I look nervous?" Sterling asked as he ran his hand through his short hair.
Olivia smiled and shook her head.
"You look handsome, Dad, she'd be crazy not to like you," Olivia answered.
The cool air ran at them as they stepped out. Olivia put her coat on and rushed to the car. He followed behind her and started the car and warming it.
"So, where are you taking her?" Olivia asked.
"A little Italian place that just opened." Sterling said.
Sterling dropped Olivia off at one of her friend's house for a study group.
"I'll pick you up early tomorrow," Sterling said as kissed her head.
"I'll be good, Dad, don't worry. You behave yourself."
Sterling gave her a look and hugged her before getting back into the car. He glanced at the time feeling the pressure slowly creeping up on him. He flipped through the settings on the radio for something that wasn't one of Olivia's favorite stations. He preferred less annoy shrilled voices and more sophisticated, like him.
He made his way to the hotel Maggie was staying at and took a deep breath. It was just dinner and drinks between old colleagues and friends. And as much as Olivia made it out to be more he knew that it was just rekindling a friendship.
He reached into his coat pocket as he got closer, but as he pulled up to the curb he saw Maggie walking out. And for that moment it seemed nothing mattered. He parked the car and got out to greet her.
"I'm afraid I'm a little under dress," Sterling commented.
Maggie gave a smile and glanced down at the simple dark blue dress. She pulled the shawl around her arms and looked at him as he opened the door for her.
"I think you look just fine, Jim." Maggie kissed his cheek and slid into the passenger side.
He gave a smile and shut her door and got in.
"So, where is Olivia tonight?" Maggie asked.
"She's got midterms to study for so she and a friend are doing a crash study session."
"And homecoming is coming up soon, right?" Maggie asked.
"I'm afraid so."
Maggie smiled and looked ahead. It was strange to hear the fatherly tone from him. He seemed so unsure about if he was raising Olivia right. Or what he did would help Olivia understand about the world around.
They made it to the Italian restaurant and found the cozy interior was like being in an Italian villa. The frescos were of the Tuscan landscape and the tables were hardwood finished. Maggie took a seat and looked around.
"This is a quaint little place." Maggie smiled and looked back at him. "How did you find it?"
"Oh, I have my contacts, you'd be amaze how I can find things with them," Sterling joked.
"Does Interpol know you are using contacts to find quaint little Italian restaurants?" Maggie leaned forward towards him.
Sterling placed his finger to his lips. "Don't say that out loud."
He smirked and leaned forward towards her. She chuckled and glanced at the flicker candle that dripped its first tear of wax.
"How's the museum exhibit coming along?" Sterling asked
Maggie sighed in frustration. "These last few days have been non-stop and I feel like I'm not putting my best foot forward. I'm distracted."
"Stress does that. I'm sure you'll have it just the way you like it, Maggie. They hired you because you do the best work. Just like everyone saw when you worked cases with investigators."
Maggie felt a little surprised to hear those words from him. Her lips pulled into a tight, closed smile and a kiss of pink out shined the little blush she did have on. Her head slightly lowered as if she were embarrassed. Sterling tilted his head a little and smiled.
"Oh, Maggie, don't be modest," Sterling chuckled.
The waiter came in and placed to wine glasses on the table and poured them a glass of wine. Sterling glanced up at the young waiter.
"What are these for?" he asked.
"Compliment from the owner of the restaurant. He said a picture perfect moment should always have a glass of wine." The young waiter smiled.
Sterling and Maggie glanced over at the slender older man. They lifted their glasses to the owner and took a sip of the Chanti.
"A wonderful flavor." Maggie stared at the Chanti and swirled it around. "Rich."
Sterling chuckled and Maggie glanced up at him.
"A woman who knows her wine, be still my beating heart," he joked.
"I spent a summer in Tuscany while Nate was on a case," Maggie said.
Sterling paused for a moment. There it was that mentioning of Nate. It was only time that Nate's name would be brought up into the conversation.
"Great vineyards, but Florence is where the true beauty of art," Sterling steered the conversation away from the past.
Maggie nodded and her hand found its way over to his. "Let's not talk about art. I feel like Michael Angelo under the Sistine Chapel when art comes into the conversation."
Sterling glanced down at her delicate hand and hesitated to turn his hand over to hold hers though felt tempted. He glanced up at her and gave a nod to say he understood.
"Consider work off the table," Sterling answered.
As time went by so did the traditional Italian dinner, but the wine kept coming. And still there was room for dessert.
"I think I'll cut myself off, since I still have to drive," Sterling remarked.
The waiter brought out a large slice of Tiramisu. He rested two forks on the table and smiled. Sterling presented Maggie a fork and she glanced at him.
"I don't know if I could do this every day." Maggie took a bite.
"What is that?" Sterling asked.
"A four course dinner," Maggie said.
Sterling chuckled and took a bite.
"Don't tell me you are worried about your girlish figure." Sterling glanced up at her.
"No, I just couldn't eat that much," Maggie laughed.
Sterling gave a nod. "That's why you see most the Italians walking. They're walking off a four course meal."
Maggie laughed a little and lifted the glass of wine to her lips. She sat the glass down and tucked her blonde hair behind her ear and kept her eyes on him. He continued to surprise her with how open he was. And maybe it was the wine, but she liked him more. He was relaxed and for once looked like he had no worries in the world. She herself felt relaxed and enjoyed the outing.
It seemed that time was not an issue for the two of them as they found other topics to chat about. Sterling couldn't recall a time that he let himself forget about time. It was always a good friend of his and he often supported its constant nagging, but it didn't seem to nag at him at that moment.
"Shall we get some fresh air?" Sterling suggested.
"I could use some fresh air." Maggie smiled.
Sterling stood up and walked over to her. He presented his hand to help her stand and she looked up at him with that same sweet smile he was all familiar with. She stood up and he lightly draped her shawl over her shoulders and he slipped his coat on.
They walked out and the owner and his wife smiled as they thanked them. They stepped out into the clear night and took a few deep breaths.
"Jim, are you alright to drive?" Maggie said.
"I'll be fine." He looked at her as they walked together towards the car.
Maggie wrapped her arm around his and he looked at her. That feeling of worrying about the past being brought up was far from his mind.
When they finally made it back to the hotel, Sterling glanced at the elegant entrance. It was foreboding symbol that the night was ending. He looked at Maggie as she too stared out the window.
"Thank you for such a wonderful night," Maggie said turning to him. "I had a good time."
"I'm glad, that was the plan." Sterling smiled.
Maggie's eyes became soft and reached over lightly grazing his cheek with her hand.
"I like this version of you, Jim."
"I've always been this version."
Maggie shook her head and patted his cheek.
"Not always. I did worry about you at one point, Jim. You seemed lost, but you're different now, healthier. Being a father looks good on you." Maggie smiled.
Maggie leaned forward and kissed his cheek. She opened her door and slid out ever so elegantly. Sterling couldn't collect his thoughts fast enough to respond. But when he did she was out the car and halfway to the front door.
He got out the car and rushed in her direction. He grabbed her hand and she turned around shocked to see he followed after her.
"Jim?" Her voice of confusion.
"Not this time, Maggie, I can't let you just walk away." Sterling looked at her.
Maggie didn't know what to say to him. Perhaps he had lost his mind or the wine finally did a number on him. She stepped closer to him and lightly stroked his cheek.
"Let's have lunch tomorrow," Maggie said. "I'd like to get to know this version of Jim Sterling better."
Maggie didn't need an open invitation to speak her mind or let her actions show she told the truth. She was a strong woman with her mind set on a goal. Maggie leaned forward and kissed Sterling.
"Good night, Jim," she said as she stepped away from him.
He gave a slight chuckle as he watched her walk up the marble steps and into the hotel.
"Oh, Maggie, what have you done," he whispered.