Another short chapter I'm afraid but it contains goodness so hopefully you will all forgive me?! I did plan to write more but this break seemed more natural.

Chapter 8

Catherine removed the other two cards from her back pocket and placed them on the table.

Catherine. Be. Mine.

'After the night you've given me?' She thought lifting the roses to smell them. 'You'd better make it worth my while!'

A part of her justified turning up because Lindsay was away and the house would be empty, another larger part was hoping that it was Sara who'd led her here. She was tired of riding along the river. The longer she sat the more nervous she became.

The diner was starting to fill up and Catherine found herself having second thoughts about being there. 'The roses in my car are probably dying right about now' The thought made her a little sad and she once again picked up the flowers from the table. 'I don't think I've ever seen roses this colour before.' She made a mental note to look up the meanings when she got home. Greg had already mentioned the symbolism behind the first two colours but, well, it didn't hurt to check.

She smiled to herself and was once again contemplating leaving when a familiar scent caught her attention. Closing her eyes she inhaled deeply, the action causing her heart rate to increase. She'd know that fragrance anywhere. A shadow passed over and a presence settled in the seat across from her.

Catherine braced herself with her right hand on the table, she felt light headed and took a couple of deep breaths to calm her nerves. This was what she'd been waiting for all night, the moment of truth. That being so she still couldn't bring herself to look up just yet.

'What if it's a dream? I'm going to open my eyes and Nick'll be sat in front of me.' Her line of thought stopped short when a hand far too soft to be her male colleague's covered her own.

Suddenly feeling bold and needing to anchor herself in the sea of emotions surrounding her, Catherine linked her fingers with those of the hand above. Taking another breath she opened her eyes.

"Hey."

The smile that accompanied the word was equal parts shy and sexy as hell. 'That smile will be the death of me.' she concluded as she felt her own forming in response.

"Hey yourself."