Chapter 35

She could hear the phone ringing, dropped her keys trying to unlock the door. The machine picked up as she got the door open. She listened to her outgoing message, hearing Ellen's voice, she grabbed the phone.

"I'm here."

"Where were you so early? Or are you doing the walk of shame?"

Laura laughed, "I think you have us confused. I was out for a run, not just getting in from a night of debauchery."

"Perhaps a night of debauchery is exactly what you need."

Opening the refrigerator, Laura pulled out a bottle of water. "Would you be happier knowing I think I went on a date a few nights ago?"

"Think you went on a date?"

She smiled to herself, "Well I think it was a date. I'm not sure what he thought."

"I'm going to need more details."

Laura filled her in on the evening with Robbie. At the end of her story, "So was it a date?"

"It was definitely a date. Did you want it to be a date?"

"I think I did…do." Laura paused, "I like him; I like him a lot. I think I have for longer than I've realized."

"What do you mean?"

She took a deep breath, "He wrote to me while he was on attachment. We corresponded for two years. He was the only person I told about the job."

"Is he the reason you broke it off with Franco?"

"No, that was inevitable. We wanted different things."

"And what does Robbie want?"

Laura sighed, "That's what I don't know. He asked me away for a weekend. But when I told him I booked two rooms, he didn't seem to be bothered."

Ellen's laughter filled the line, "What did you expect him to say? 'We only needed one room, so we could shag our brains out.' Of course, he wasn't bothered, he's not stupid."

Laura laughed, "Well when you put it that way. What do I do now?"

"I assume dragging him to a hotel and shagging your brains out is not an option."

"Well I'm not opposed to the idea but…"

"But what?"

"I don't…"

"Are you not attracted to him?"

"Yes, very much so. I just don't want this to be a one night stand or even a one weekend stand."

"You really like him."

Laura sighed, "Yes, I do. And I don't want to screw this up."

"Play it by ear for now. When I'm down for our dinner with Ligeia, we can work out a full plan."

Robbie was walking into the office when his mobile rang. Looking at the caller id he frowned, "Why are you calling this late?"

"It's early where you are."

"That's not an answer."

"Late night, prepping for a case."

He laughed, "Sounds like the hours I keep."

"Yes, but they pay me vastly more for the hours I keep."

"Don't you have people who do all of the hard work and you just get all the glory?"

"No, I don't have a Sergeant Hathaway at my beck and call."

"Well now I know what to get you for Christmas. Now why are you calling so late at night?"

"Tired of playing phone tag, figured I would try you early before your day really started."

"Well your plan worked. How are you?"

"Overworked but it's winding down. Now less about me. Tell me about the opera."

"Didn't make it."

"What?"

"A case. We did have dinner though."

"Did you take her somewhere nice?"

"Fish and chips on a bench."

She paused, "Interesting first date choice."

"I'm not altogether sure it was a date."

"More words, please."

He shared the story of their evening together. "I drove her home and walked her to her door. That was three days ago and I haven't heard from her or seen her since."

"Have you called her?"

"Should I have?"

"Yes, you should have."

"She booked two rooms."

"Of course she did. You didn't expect her to fall into bed with you on what was, in essence, a first date did you?" When he didn't answer, she continued, "And just because she booked two rooms didn't mean she planned on using both rooms. Did it occur to you she was trying to make you feel more comfortable?"

"Maybe, I guess that makes sense."

"Did you want one room or two?"

He smiled to himself, "One but I don't want to push her. She finally admitted she was in a relationship. I feel like we took a step forward."

"You did, now call her and take another step."

"What kind of step?"

Shaking her head, she laughed, "Perhaps one that ends with a good night kiss. Ask her out again."

"I'm on call for the next week. I'll ask her at the end of the week."

"Fine, but at least reach out to her. Let her know you enjoyed the evening."

Robbie smiled, "Alright. I'll call her. Now you need to get some sleep. How much longer will you be keeping such odd hours?"

"A few more weeks. Then I'm headed to the BVI for a week. It won't be the same without you."

"Make sure you stop at our cliff."

"I will. Let me know how it goes with Laura. Have a good day."

"Get some sleep, love. Chat soon."

Robbie ended the call. Her words about letting Laura know he enjoyed their evening ringing in his ears. He opened a text and quickly typed in a message. "In case I didn't say it the other night, I had a good time. Think we could do it again soon? Friday night maybe? Or would a Halloween date be too weird?"

As he was sitting at his desk, he felt his mobile buzz. He pulled it from his pocket and smiled as he read her response. "I did too. Would love to do it again. Can't on Halloween already have plans with two girlfriends. Raincheck? Perhaps Saturday night?"

He responded instantly. "It's a date. We can talk about the details later."