A/N: Just a short update today, folks. But I will be writing again today. Thank you for the reviews, as always. Sorry for the delay, again, as always.
There's no time like the present, right? Damn, I wished I'd had one last beer. Not just for a bit of Dutch courage, but because another beer might have kept me warm as I stand on Maura's doorstep for ten minutes trying to work up the courage to knock. Pacing helps. Pacing, and talking to myself. God knows what the neighbours must think. Some mad woman at Dr Isles' door step waving her arms about all crazy like.
I take a deep breath and one last look out over the street, gearing myself up, before I turn determinedly back to the door. Just as I lift my hand to knock, the door opens up, and there before me is my Maura.
My Maura? I mean, Maura. Just Maura.
It takes me a moment to realise that she hasn't opened the door because she knew I was here. No. She was opening the door because the guy standing next to her is leaving. So soon?
"Jane? What a nice surprise!" she says with the sweetest smile she can muster. She's looking between me and her male companion, clearly not sure how to handle the situation.
"Ah, yea. Sorry. I guess I should have called," I reply, looking at this guy who is busily putting on his coat and wrapping his scarf around his pompous neck. "I should go. See you Monday."
And I'm outta there. Shit, shit, shit. I'm such a fool! Of course she's got a back-up plan. What an idiot I must look like!
"No, Jane, wait. Thomas was just leaving," she says. The hint of desperation in her voice makes me pause mid step.
"Yes, Jane. Do stay. I must be going." Damn, he even talks like he's got a stick up his arse.
I half turn, my eyes finding Maura's over his shoulders as she gives the guy a 'kiss kiss' on both cheeks. I never understood that shit. Why kiss at all if you aren't even going to make contact. Seems a waste of time to me. Just wave, for goodness sake. Universal sign for 'hello' and 'goodbye'.
He gives me a polite little nod as he passes me and I can't help but watch him leave. Who the hell was that guy? And what was he doing here so late on a Friday night? I mean, didn't I just leave Maura like an hour ago?
"Jane?"
I turn back to face Maura who has stepped up behind me, close enough to reach out and touch. Her voice is soft, but the fear is back in her eyes.
"You work fast." Ok, so maybe that's not the best thing I could have said, but I turned her down, what… an hour ago? And she's already got another guy waiting for her at home?
"It's not… Thomas is just an old friend. It's not like that, Jane," she says, her head tilted to the side in that chiding way that says I'm being silly.
"Oh, really?" I snap.
"Yes," she says, stepping into my personal space, her hand creeping its way to my hip once again. "Really."
My breath catches in my throat at her close proximity. The warmth of her breathe on my face every time she exhales sends a shiver down my spine; and not a 'someone just walked over my grave' type of shiver; but a 'my god, my toes are curling and I can't breathe' kind of shiver. Her eyes are pleading with me to believe her, which is silly really because I know she can't lie.
"Jane?" she says, her voice low, seeking some sort of response.
"Mmm?"
What? That's the best I can do! Her fingers are tracing circles on my hip and her breath is giving me shivers and her eyes are just staring at me; and I can hardly breathe, let alone speak.
"You want some tea?" she says, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.
I can't help but return her smile. Her smile is contagious. Her smile could power the city. Her smile, right now, makes my tummy flutter and my knees weak. Damn, I have it bad. When did this even happen?
"I leave my partner at the pub alone on a Friday night to come see you, and all you can offer me is panda poo tea?" I ask teasingly.
She raise her eyebrows at me, clearly surprised at my forwardness.
"Don't you have any beer?"
