The Inn wasn't very big so it didn't take them long to get down to the extended lobby where the reception was being held. As he opened the door, he stood slightly to one side to let Audrey pass by and was disappointed when she shook her hand free from his and didn't seem keen to take it again.

The lobby was cosy, with the fireplaces lit and people milling around, grazing on the selection of cheeses and accompaniments that had been set out. The bar was open and was serving a multitude of local wines and they both picked a glass of red before heading to find somewhere to sit down.

They found a seating area in the corner out of the way with two twin seat couches and a small table set in between. Neil sat first, making himself comfortable crossing one leg over the other and stretching his arm out along the back of the seat. Audrey sat next to him but keeping a respectable distance between them. He let out a little laugh and shook his head.

"What?" she quizzed, looking at him with surprise.

"You can sit the other side if you like" he teased, nodding to the other sofa. "You know, if you wanted to sit further away?"

She gave him a mock glare and slid a little closer but still not close enough for their thighs to even touch.

"What's going on Aud?" he asked quietly. "Are you okay?"

"What if someone sees us?"

"Then they see us, but I don't recognise anyone so far. I'm sure we'll be fine" he said trying to assure her.

"But..."

"No buts" he said shaking his head and moving to sit a little closer again. This time their thighs did touch and she could feel the warmth emanating from him. "There is absolutely no good excuse for us to be here together apart from the obvious. If someone sees us, then so be it" he said with a shrug and a wink, hoping to calm her nerves.

"How can you be so cool about this? " she asked incredulously. "What if..."

"Like I said, we're consenting adults here to spend time together. Maybe we'll take part in some idle chit chat here but I'm not here to make friends. At the end of it all, these two days are about you and me getting to know each other again. And I for one, am very much looking forward to that?"

She seemed to relax a little at his words and eventually leaned back into the space under his arm. As he casually dropped a kiss onto her cheek she smiled into her glass as she took a sip of the velvety, deep red liquid.

It was a busy time of year in the area, the population always swelled because of the whale migrations passing close by the shore so they had been very lucky to get a room at all. The Inn was fully booked and the reception was busy, people were moving around the room making small talk and as a couple approached Neil could see Audrey beginning to get fidgety.

"You okay?" he whispered in her ear, causing a shiver to cascade down her spine. She just nodded.

When the couple approached and asked if the seats opposite were available, Neil nodded the affirmative. He could feel Audrey tense against him and he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Despite Audreys concerns, it seemed that Neil was correct, as usual. The couple opposite were so totally engrossed in each other that after they thanked them for sharing the seating area, they didn't speak to them again which was fine by all parties.

"Do you want to see if we can get dinner?" Neil asked as they finished their drinks. "Or do you want stay and try to eat our body weight in cheese?"

"Are you asking me on a date Melendez?" she teased, nudging his side.

"Sure, why not" he laughed.

"Let's see if we can get a seat next door it's still early so maybe we'll be lucky" she smiled at him. She stood and held out her hand which was met with raised eyebrows.

"But what if someone sees us" he teased with a cheeky smile.

"Asshat" was her simple response.

X

The next door they referred to was the Pacific Edge at the Highland Inn. It had been recommended when they arrived as a great dinner spot as their accommodation didn't have their own service but they had been advised to book.

Walking in, they were greeted but informed that without a reservation there would be at least a thirty minute wait. Deciding to wait at the bar, they perched on high stools while they browsed the menu and sipped away their drinks.

Audrey stuck with a soda this time around while Neil went with a second glass of wine.

"You're going to be a cheap date at this rate" Audrey teased as he sipped at his drink.

"Hardly" he smiled back. "Besides, you don't need to get me drunk to do your bidding" he laughed as he rested his hand on her thigh.

He felt her tense.

"This okay?" he checked. "Have you done a recce?"

"Funny, funny" she replied snarkily. "It's just going to take some getting used too that's all. And yes... I did a quick recce, we're good" she smiled, relaxing again

They sat close together, discussing what they were going to order from the menu, now and again squabbling as one of them turned the pages too quickly.

"Bit pricey, isn't it? " Audrey whispered as they browsed.

"Worth it for a first date" Neil smirked. "But if you fancy going out to find a burger, that's fine?" he asked.

"Maybe tomorrow" she smiled and as if they had been waiting for them to finish their conversation, they heard the words from behind them.

"Neil Melendez?"

Audrey initially tensed but let out a breath when she realised it was just their server calling them to their table. Because they had studied the menu in depth while they waited, they placed their order straight away and helped themselves to the water at the table.

Dinner arrived in good time and Audrey almost rubbed her hands together with glee when her Filet Mingnon was placed in front of her. Neil went for the red wine braised Short Rib and both were looking forward to tucking in.

He stifled a laugh as she closed her eyes on the first forkful of her perfectly bloody rare steak. The look of bliss on her face was one she reserved just for good food. She had certainly come a long way from the early days of their residency where she ate the same lunch every shift and he smiled at the memory.

She opened her eyes to find him watching her and he unabashedly held eye contact, the look on his face almost making her blush.

"Keep looking at me like that and we won't make dessert" she said boldly.

"No way, I've got my eye on that Peanut Butter Caramel Bar" he laughed, breaking the seductive stalemate. "Besides, your promised Jo that you'd be resting" he winked.

They carried on talking and laughing through dinner, enjoying each other's company without a care for anybody else. They had a small debate on who was picking up the check with Neil winning after agreeing that Audrey would spring for dinner the next night.

"Burgers are on me tomorrow" she smiled as they headed back to the inn. She casually let her fingers tangle with his as their hands brushed while they walked.

"Deal" he replied, smiling over at her as they walked in step. "Want a drink at the bar before we head up?" he asked.

"I actually don't. Is that okay?" she said, looking over at him a little sheepishly.

"No problem. You feeling alright?"

"I am, but I'm just... tired" she said with half a smile. "I'm sorry, it sounds like a cop out."

"No need to apologise. I'm glad you're listening to you're body, you need to rest" he said affirmatively.

Walking straight through the lobby and up to their room, they paused briefly outside their room while Neil dug the room key out of his wallet. He leaned around her to open the door but stopped her before she stepped inside.

Turning to look at him, she saw a glint in his eye as he kissed her.

"What was that for?" she asked, putting her hand on his chest to push him away slightly.

"Figured that a good first date should end with a kiss" he said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Don't worry" he winked, "I'm not expecting you to put out!"

"Not on a first date" she nodded. "You're quite right...asshat."

X

"It's still early" he casually remarked. "What do your want to do?" he asked earning himself a mock glare.

"I didn't mean like that" he admonished making her chuckle to herself.

"We could watch a movie?" Audrey suggested, picking up the television remote.

"Or we could talk a bit first?" he suggested, covering her hand with his own, encouraging her to put the remote down for a moment.

"I might need a second glass of wine for this one" she said pulling her hand free and heading towards the minibar. She stooped down to take a look inside the refrigerator and shook her head. Standing again, she picked up a bottle of Merlot stood on the side and turned to him with a questioning look. He nodded his agreement and went to take a seat in front of the fireplace.

He smiled up at her as she offered him his glass and she took her seat on the chair next to him in front of the crackling fire. She was a little thankful for the separate seats for this discussion, she was a little apprehensive and any close contact would be a major distraction.

"So" he began.

"So" she repeated raising a smile from him.

"So what exactly are we doing here?" he asked innocently enough but causing her to balk a little. He was very aware of her earlier declaration that she didn't do lovey dovey crap so decided to try and keep it simple.

"Ummmm" was all she could muster making him smile.

"Okay, let's start a little more simple. You have feelings for me?"

"I told you that" she replied a little abruptly.

"And you know how I feel about you?" he asked and she nodded mutely. "This isn't just a 'thing' for me" he said referring back to a phrase that she had used almost five years ago.

She shook her head and smiled at the memory.

"That's not what I meant back then, you know that right?" she said reaching over the side table between them and grasping his hand.

"I know, but maybe it was for the best?" he replied, turning his and over so he could lace his fingers with hers. "We weren't ready then "

"Are we ready now?" she asked.

"I think so" he said without a second thought. "We've been through a lot. We're stronger now aren't we?"

"Do you ever get bored of being right?" she asked cheekily.

"I do not" he smirked, taking that as a yes. "Are we still keeping it quiet?"

"For now" she said. "I'm not ready for everyone to know. Besides, it's exciting. Clandestine dates, sneaking around" she winked at him, making him laugh out loud.

"Okay" he replied. "I'll wait" he said smiling over at her.

"Good" she smiled. "We done talking?" she asked after a pause.

"For now" he replied. "Want to watch that movie?"

"And eat pretzels and drink the rest of this in bed? she said holding up her glass, sounding hopeful.

"Sure" he replied smiling getting up and putting his glass down on the nightstand alongside the rest of the bottle. "Come on, in you get" he said pulling back the comforter.

"Who said romance is dead" she laughed, getting up to join him. "I'm picking the movie" she said as she climbed into the giant king size.

"Expected nothing less" he grinned, passing her glass and climbing in next to her.

Scrolling through the menu, she found one that would hold her attention and pressed play, immediately followed by pause. He looked over at her questioning without saying a word.

"Sorry I'm not feeling up to... you know tonight" she said looking him right in the eye. "Not the most exciting rendezvous ever is it?"

"I'm not here for the sex" he said bluntly and she looked at him with surprise not expecting him to be so succinct. "Don't get me wrong, the sex is great but I'm here for more" looking at her as she smiled into her glass.

Thinking to herself, she figured that they'd fit quite well. Him being organised, meticulous and always keen to share and her, more chaotic, succinct and more about actions than words.

She nodded and pressed play on the remote, and they both smiled as the familiar starting credits began to roll. He leaned over to top up her glass and threw her a bag of snacks, smiling as she leaned back into the cushions making herself comfortable. He shuffled over to sit next to her, shoulders touching and legs stretched out in front, smiling to himself as she leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder without hesitation.

'I could get used to this' he thought to himself, settling back into the cushions for the duration.