Chapter XI

It was one of Bobby's favorite things about her –about them. The silent communication that they shared –a look, or actually in this instance, the feeling of her gaze upon him. He smiled, raising his eyes as he kept his nose buried in his leather binder.

"What?" he chuckled.

Alex smiled as she leaned forward in her seat. Busted staring at him again. "Nothing…you just seem to be in a different mood today," she answered.

"I'm not in a bad mood," Bobby said softly, as he continued scribbling his notes.

"I didn't say 'bad' mood –I said 'different', she gloated. "See, that proves it –you're too preoccupied to listen to me."

Bobby laid his pen down. Busted. I should know better than to try to hide something from her after all this time. "I'll tell ya' at lunch, okay?" Bobby said.

"If you're buying!"

"Don't I always?" Bobby chuckled again.

Alex checked her watch. "I suppose I can control my curiosity for another hour," she joked. "But nothing weird, okay? – I'm just craving a great burger," she warned.

Bobby smiled. "It wasn't weird where I took you last week –it was just a little more exotic than we're used to."

Alex smiled but raised her eyebrows with skepticism.

"Nothing exotic today –I promise," Bobby said, raising his hand in a "Scout's honor" gesture.

XXX

The partners continued with their paperwork until finally Bobby spoke, "It's 1:15, you ready to go?"

Alex nodded as she grabbed her pocketbook from under her desk. They headed for the elevator, smiling.

XXX

Alex laughed as she laid her menu on the table and glanced around the old-fashioned diner. "Well, you're a man of your word! This is the total opposite of exotic."

"You said you wanted a great burger, so this is the place to be," Bobby assured her.

"You sound pretty sure of yourself," Alex teased.

"Just wait; you'll see," Bobby answered as he saw the waitress approaching.

"Hey, Sweetie, nice to see you back!" the middle-aged, buxom redhead smiled, as she pulled her pen from behind her ear.

"Hi Barb," Bobby smiled. "How's everything goin' with you?"

"Can't complain, Sweetie. You want your usual?"

"Sure do – and one for my friend, too," Bobby answered.

Alex looked across the table with surprise at Bobby's assertiveness.

"I'll be right back with your shakes," Barb smiled and give him a wink.

Bobby felt conspicuous under Alex's amazed stare.

"Oh sure, you couldn't order for me last week when I couldn't pronounce anything on the menu," she teased in sarcasm. "I think I could've managed saying 'cheeseburger' today, Alex snipped.

"Bacon cheeseburger, to be exact," Bobby corrected with a chuckle. "With onion rings and a chocolate shake."

"So, how long have you known Barb?" Alex teased.

Bobby laughed. "Barb's an institution here! She remembers everyone's name and favorite dish," Bobby boasted.

"Funny, she didn't even ask my name," Alex snipped, feigning jealousy.

Bobby watched as Barb approached the table again carrying their shake glasses and tumblers. As Barb poured the shake into Alex's glass, Bobby interrupted.

"Barb, sorry – I was so excited about burgers before I forgot to introduce you to my partner. . ."

Barb smiled with surprise, "So you're Alex? Nice to finally meet you!"

Alex tried to hide her surprise that the waitress knew her name. "Good to meet you too!" Alex said. "Bobby tells me you're an institution here."

"Ha!" Barb laughed. "I think workin' here for 25 years is gonna put me in an institution! …between your partner here and his friend Lewis. . ." Barb shook her head and finished pouring Bobby's shake. "Burger's will be right out, Sweetie," she promised, giving Bobby a pat on the shoulder.

"Well, I guess you have been coming here a long time," Alex said.

Bobby nodded, raising his shake glass, "A toast! To you and your first Colonial Diner burger and shake!"

They tapped glasses and savored their first taste of the thick chocolate drink.

"Mmmmmm - oh my gosh. I think this is the best shake I've ever had!" Alex exclaimed.

"Wait 'til the burgers get here. I think you're gonna become a 'regular' here too!"

X X X

Alex pushed her platter away from the edge of the table and sank back against the cushioned booth. "I can't believe I ate the whole thing," she groaned and rubbed her hand over her stomach.

"I told you," Bobby said, as he finished his last onion ring and wiped his mouth with his napkin. He took a sip of the ice water that Barb had also brought during their meal. "But. . . we didn't just come here to eat, did we?"

Alex was surprised at Bobby's candid statement. In years past, getting him to open up and talk about anything other than work or a case was like pulling teeth. She couldn't help but notice how much more relaxed and easygoing he'd become since he began his relationship with Tessa.

Bobby leaned on the table, closer to Alex, and clasped his ever-restless hands. "I've decided, Alex – Tessa's the one."

Alex smiled widely, her heart swelling with happiness for her long-tortured friend. "You're getting married? Oh my gosh, Bobby, that's great!" She clasped her hands around his and squeezed.

"W-we-well," he stammered.

"What?" Alex demanded with excitement.

"I said 'I've decided' – I don't know what she'll say."

Alex rolled her eyes and sighed. "Of course she'll say 'yes' –why wouldn't she?"

Bobby just shrugged his shoulders.

They dislodged their hands and each reached for another sip of ice water.

"When do you plan on asking her?" Alex questioned.

"I-I don't know – soon, I guess—I haven't even shopped for a ring," Bobby answered.

Alex rolled her eyes again in frustration. "Shopped for a ring?" she repeated incredulously. "You could ask her tonight if you wanted to! Aren't you going to give her your mother's ring?"

Bobby froze for a second –thinking.

"I'm sorry," Alex said. "I shouldn't have assumed you'd want to part with it."

"It's all right," Bobby assured her. "It crossed my mind for a minute, but then I thought maybe she'd want something new –something modern."

"I've seen your mom's ring. It's beautiful. Believe me, Bobby –two carat solitaires don't go out of style."

Bobby let out a sigh, still uncertain. Alex easily read his hesitancy.

"I've gotten to know Tessa pretty well over the past year. We always end up talking at holidays and my family's get-togethers," Alex said.

Bobby nodded his understanding, allowing Alex to continue.

"Nothing was ever more important to her than her family. All she ever wanted was a nice, normal life. Jerry destroyed all that back then, but she can have it all again - with you. I know she loves you and I'm sure she'd be honored and ecstatically happy to have your family's heirloom."

"You really think so?" Bobby asked.

"Yes, I know so," Alex assured him.

Bobby sighed in relinquishment to Alex's idea. "I just want her to be happy. I want her to have the best," Bobby said.

Alex smiled and reached for his hand again. "She's getting the best," Alex smiled, waiting for her innuendo to sink in.

Bobby looked across the table. "Thanks," he sheepishly smiled. "I'll give her my mom's ring…but not tonight."

"Chicken," Alex laughed.

Bobby paid the check and the tried and true partners headed back to One PP.

End Chapt. XI