To say I'm nervous would be an understatement. I'm sitting on Catherine's sofa. With Catherine right next to me. And I have no idea what to say to her.
"So, tell me, why are you sacrificing your spare time to visit a grounded 12 year old?"
Ok, so she beat me to it. Great. Now how do I answer that one. Because I have a crush on said 12 year old's mother doesn't seem the best thing to say.
"Because I couldn't say no to her." I shrug. That is true after all.
She smiles, and boy does she look beautiful.
"What did she do? Blackmail you?"
I laugh.
"More like pity talked me."
Catherine nods, a smirk on her face. "She's good at that."
My hands play with the seam on my jeans. Why am I so bad at this small talk thing? I really want to say something, but my mind feels empty as the Nevada deserts.
I let my eyes dart around the room. There's photos of Lindsay on the shelves. And some pictures obviously drawn by the girl. It's nice - and quiet.
This is officially getting awkward.
It's been a stupid idea, from the very beginning. Damn Lindsay for getting me into this mess.
Catherine glances at her wristwatch with a smile.
"I think we should let her suffer some more, you want coffee?"
What the-?
This is bad enough as it is and she wants to draw it out with coffee?
The question was obviously rhetorical seeing that she doesn't even wait for a reply from me, she's already heading to the kitchen.
Great. Gives me a minute to think at least.
What the hell am I doing here? And why am I finding it so damn hard to talk to Catherine?
She's my colleague, dammit. I've known her for years, I should be able to find something that I can talk to her about, right?
Something other than work preferably.
Great idea, genius, but what?
I helplessly scan her living room again. Books, music, movies. None of the names and titles are totally foreign to me but it's also nothing that I have on my top 10 list.
I sigh.
Maybe I should just make up an excuse and leave. Yeah, that would be for the best. I'll just tell her Grissom called.
"There you go," I almost jump. Why can't she make any sounds when she walks into a room?
She hands me a cup and graces me with one of her beautiful smiles.
Damn, why did I want to leave again? I think I'm quickly changing my mind because staring at her sounds much more appealing than- oh shit, I've been staring at her!
She grins.
Oh god, I'm so busted.
