A/N

Sorry this took so long. I've been battling life. Hope you all like this one.


She was late! She hated being late to anything...but this...this she was mortified at being late for. He would think she didn't care about the project or worse, that she wasn't coming at all!

Ada walked huriedly down NW 12t street, tugging Charlie along. He was part of the reason she was late, wanting to stop at every blessed tree! But truly, it was as if her heart had been sabotaging this meeting.

She hadn't slept more than an hour all night. She knew her face showed her troubled mind, but she hoped he wouldn't notice. She had laid in bed thinking, remembering, deciding what to do next. How to handle the dreaded encounter. Especially after last night. When she finally got out of bed, it was one hour later than what she had thought. Hence, the tardiness now.

Last night had been a true test to her resolve! She had been beyond shocked at seeing him standing in the Ellis' living room, just minutes after she had walked in. She had had no time to talk to Anna about their encounter that afternoon.

When Anna was introduced, recognition marked her face. After warmly welcoming Tony, she gave her a quizical look to imply they needed to talk.

Ada had tried to act as normal as possible. She didn't want the Ellis girls to know how well she knew Tony, only implying they met in college. She avoided eye contact with him throughout the night, and managed to only escape to the back yard once, though she wanted nothing more than to get out of there as fast as her legs could carry her.

She tried valiantly to tune out the flirtatious banter and ignore the coy smiles Lexie showered on Tony all night. However, she didn't miss the kiss at the end of the night, nor the fact that he reciprocated.

She had been furious! To the point of wanting to break one of Anna's beautiful vintage china cups on his head. How dare he!

Then he looked up, straight into her eyes, and gave her a look that made her remember. He, he was no longer hers. Hadn't been for four years. He could flirt with and kiss whomever he wanted.

She wanted to curl up into a ball and cry, right there, in the middle of the Ellis' living room. But she didn't. She managed to look away and school her features. By the time he approached her to say his goodbyes and confirm their morning meeting, she was able to look him in the eyes and nod her acquiescence.

Now she wished she had cancelled the wretched meeting! Her stomach was in knots, her eyes were burning from no sleep and her head was swimming.

The courage she had felt last night evaporated with the dawn. All she was left with was apprehension and despair. The best she could hope for was that he wasn't there, but with her luck, he had probably gotten there early!

She turned up on Glisan, and was shortly standing in front of the restaurant. She wondered if he'd mind taking up one of the outdoor tables, making it easier to keep an eye on Charlie, but quickly gave up the idea. The distractions of sidewalk dining would prolong their encounter. No, best get it over with sooner rather than later.

Tying Charlie to a nearby tree, she walked inside the restaurant, quickly spying Tony sitting at a booth in the back. She walked toward him, noticing his head was down, in his hands. He didn't see her approach.

"Hello" she said breathlessly. She didn't realize she had been holding her breath since she walked in.

He jerked his head up and caught her eyes. She quickly saw what she hoped was relief in them, before he looked away at the approaching waitress and replied in kind, rather curtly.

She dismissed his tone and slid into the booth across from him.

Their waitress, Carrie, brought over another menu and asked her if she wanted coffee. Ada replied affirmatively. The waitress departed saying she'd give them a minute to look over their menus.

"I'm so sorry I'm late" she began almost as soon as Carrie walked away, "I fear time got away from me this morning and Charlie was annoyingly slow today on his walk."

He kept his eyes on his menu and replied "It's fine. I've only been here a few minutes myself. So, is Charlie outside?" His tone warmed up a bit at the mention of Charlie.

"Yes, he's tied up to the tree." She decided to give him a dose of his own medicine and avoid eye contact as well

"Would you like to move to an outdoor table? I remember how anxious you get at having to leave him tied up outside anywhere." As soon as the last sentence was uttered, they both raised their heads, eyes locking in place.

There was recognition and dare they admit it, delight? Recognition that they both once had mutual intimacy. Delight in the feeling that one memory could bring about warmth in their all too cold and empty hearts.

But just as quickly as their eyes conveyed these feelings to each other, the spell was broken, Carrie arrived with her coffee and a request for their breakfast order.

Ada had no chance to ponder what that look on Tony's face had been, she only reacted.

"I'll have the Redwood Omelet with Feta instead of Jack and fruit instead of potatoes please, and no toast."

Carrie wrote down her order and turned her smile to Tony.

"I'll have the same, except potatoes and toast."

Carrie grabbed their menus and walked away.

"You didn't answer my question" Tony said. His hands were still shaking at the recent visual stimuli he experienced. Her eyes were still as mesmerizing as he remembered. He urged her wordlessly to look up, for she had fixed on arranging the jam packets on the side of the table as soon as the waitress had walked away.

"Ada?" he softly uttered.

Hearing her name startled her out of her reverie. "What? Sorry, I didn't hear you." Her eyes finally met his again.

He swallowed and repeated his question, trying his best to calm his rapidly beating heart. It would not be good if he passed out before breakfast!

She replied that no, she didn't need to sit outside. Charlie would be fine. She could turn and look out the window if need be. She continued to play with the jam packets. Stacking them by flavor.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, he decided he needed to begin the discussion. After all, this was a business meeting, albeit, the most heart wrenching one he'd ever had.

He brought out his iPad and opened the program containing the plans for the restoration. He was acutely aware her eyes were on him, but he forced his hands to stop shaking and made eye contact.

"So I'd like to show you what Parker and I came up with. Of course, the historic society and the city rep where consulted. And you have the final say, I was told"

She tried to hide her smile behind her coffee cup. She wasn't sure if he was in agreement with that last sentence, or was merely being professional. She resolved to give him the benefit of the doubt. He had always been professional with his clients and never tried to railroad their desires for his sake.

"Yes, that was the agreement. However, I will defer to you and Parker's suggestions. After all, you two are the experts." She said this sincerely, without attempts at flattery.

She had seen enough of his designs all over the country to know he was very good at his job. She wanted to think, this job in particular, would get special attention from him, she really wanted that.

"Yes well, we pride ourselves in doing our best with every project, and this one will not be the exception. Here let me show you" He turned the iPad to face her, however, their seating arrangement was not suitable enough for him to be able to point out the areas being addressed. He finally gave up trying and asked her if she'd mind sitting next to him.

She froze at his request. Sit next to him? Is he deranged? She could barely survive sitting across from him! But, she had to do it. She had to conquer this if they were to work successfully on this project.

Getting up from her seat, she slowly walked around the table and eased herself next to him. She noticed he hadn't moved too much, leaving them side by side, hips touching.

She instantly regretted her decision. She could smell his cologne, feel his warmth, and worst of all, she could feel his breath on her arm as he spoke. Good lord!

Tony was cool as a cucumber. He didn't look at her when he asked her to sit next to him, focusing instead on his iPad.

But when his hip came into contact with hers, he didn't even try to hide his sharp intake of breath. He was a drowning man! She was so close. He could smell her subtle scent every time she moved her head. His hand was inches away from hers and he grasped his iPad like it was a life preserver.

He took a deep breath and avoided turning his head to look at her. He would perish for certain!

He began showing her the 3D plans for the restorations. Each room had been attended to. He showed her the timeline for each project and the cost, which would be covered by the City of Portland. He had saved the best for last.

Parker had fortunately acquired old photos of the mansion, as it had been when her great grandfather had built it. Tony had gone on an expedition and found some of the missing pieces. He touched on another screen and the mansion came alive.

Ada gasped when she saw the image before her. It was an exact replica of her great grandmother's writing desk!

"Oh my goodness, Tony, where did you find it?" She exclaimed, putting her right hand on his left arm, which was presently holding up the iPad.

The sudden touch did not go unnoticed by its recipient. His blood was now rushing through his veins and it took him a few seconds to reply to her question.

"Well, Parker found some old photos and we did some digging around. Turns out not everyone is set on making a profit of family heirlooms." He said the last without thinking.

Ada flinched. She knew he was right. Her father was a disgrace. She knew he was right, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

"Yes. I'm afraid you're correct. My father would sell his soul if it meant a guaranteed in with the Elite. But, anyways, thank you for recovering it, even if it's no longer ours."

Tony knew he had been careless with his words. He saw her flinch when he uttered them, and as much as he hated her father, he could not bring himself to cause her pain.

"Ada, i'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I only meant that the person who sold it to us was very fair on her price after knowing it was a family heirloom. Please forgive me."

Her hand had come off his arm, he did not know when, but he suddenly felt bereft without her touch. He took a deep breath, again, and put his hand on hers.

She looked up, watery eyes wide with surprise. Their eyes locked in place.

Tony suddenly felt his world stop. He didn't hear the bell of the door chime at a patron's entrance, didn't hear the cook call out "Order up", didn't hear anything but the rushing of his blood, loud in his ears. Just like four years ago.

He glanced down at her lips and quickly back to her eyes. He leaned in, unconsciously, like a moth to a flame.

Ada was frozen in place. His eyes were locked with hers and she saw them focus on her lips and come right back to her eyes. Her heart was about to burst out of her chest. What was he doing? What was she doing? This would not end well!

"And here are your orders"

Saved by the eggs!


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