1

"Hello, Teresa. It's Patrick."

There's a long pause.

I don't think she's ever received a call from Patrick.

2

I haven't declared myself to Teresa but I've asked her on a date. Nothing ambiguous about it.

Both of us have spent the week walking on eggs with each other.

Pike rambled through the office a few times and as he didn't beat me to death, I assume he doesn't know.

Ha. Teresa's cheating on him with me. She's also now cheating on me with him.

3

I'm sitting at a table in the French place I've chosen.

Lisbon said she was busy Saturday night so we settled on Friday.

Perhaps if the date is successful, Pike won't get his Saturday night with her.

The maitre d' shows Lisbon to her seat.

She's wearing the backless, strapless, frontless black dress she bought at Pike's behest.

I don't know what kind of stimulus Pike requires for arousal but I would find Lisbon sexy in a Hefty bag.

Strange that she'd wear something she bought to please Pike to an evening with me.

I would much prefer that she'd worn the pilgrim dress and booties that Pike obviously didn't respond to.

That outfit was pure her.

Lisbon sits. She immediately crinkles her brow.

"What Jane? You don't like my dress?"

Like her acting, I find it a little over the top. And I guess my face gave it away.

"You look very pretty, Lisbon."

"Good, because I've had it with people trying to dictate the way I dress."

"Like Pike?" I say.

Her eyes widen.

Bringing him up may have been a mistake. Have to do damage control. "Because I would have been very happy if you'd worn the pilgrim dress."

"Oh, so you vote for the pilgrim dress, do you?" Lisbon says dangerously.

Thank god, the waiter brings our menus.

4

The waiter pours the Alsatian Riesling I ordered.

"To the lovely Teresa," I say.

She gives me one of her gorgeous smiles.

We clink glasses.

I say to the waiter, "The lady will have the artichoke with hollandaise and the dover sole. I'll have the gougeres and the lamb, pink."

The waiter plucks the menus away.

"And Karl, tell the chef to fire up two chocolate soufflés when we've finished our entrees."

I smile at Karl. He races off.

I turn back to Teresa.

She has steam coming out of her ears.