Title: A Day In The Life of… Senior Assistant to White House Deputy Chief of Staff
Disclaimer: *So* not mine ::sigh::
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Through Season 4
Feedback: Always welcome at kjtinlin@aol.com :-)
Thanks: To Jillian, Lisa and Sharon.
Notes: This is the final part of this series… finally. ;-) Thanks to all who've sent feedback, it's much appreciated.
Part 8/8
**
I am *so* tired right now. I didn't sleep much last night; I knew I wouldn't, thanks to Josh. Oh wait, that sounds bad - it wasn't like that. You see, last night, Josh asked me to have dinner with him, to go out with him tonight. That in itself is a good thing, I always like spending time with Josh, just the two of us, but the problem is that I don't know what tonight is about. Josh asked me in his own cryptic way; first he kinda said that it was going to be a boss/assistant thing, then he said it was a Josh/Donna thing, then he said, "Great, it's a date." He also said that he'd pick me up tonight, from my apartment, and that I can leave work when I want to go and get ready. That's what caused my sleepless night - I don't know if tonight is about two co-workers spending time together, or if it's a date between two people who care about each other.
I know Josh cares about me, in his own way, but I don't know what way that is. Does he think about me as much as I think about him? Probably not. Does he see me when he thinks about where he might be in ten years? Possibly. But, does he think I'll still be just his assistant, or is there more? I ask myself these questions almost every day, but I have never yet come up with a definite answer.
Last night, I lay in bed and replayed Josh's words over and over again, "Great, it's a date." I analyzed his tone, the look on his face, the inflections in his voice, but I still couldn't make up my mind whether he was just using a casual line, an offhand comment, or whether he actually meant that he was asking me out on a date. The fact that he's letting me leave early to get ready points in the direction of a date but, with Josh, you just never know for sure.
You know what's really annoying about all this? Normally, I wouldn't let it bother me; I'd just go along tonight and see how it played out, keeping my mask firmly in place. However, recently a few people have said things to me that have got me thinking…thinking that maybe there's something there, between Josh and I. I know there's something on my part, but I've never known how Josh felt and I've always been too afraid to question it seriously, too afraid that I might not like the answer. Anyway, CJ said something to me when we went out last week, on our 'Girls Night Out'. We went for dinner and then to a bar. All the Senior Assistants were there; Carol, Margaret, Bonnie, Ginger and myself and we were all having fun and relaxing; we took the opportunity to fill CJ in on some of the latest escapades of our bosses and she told us some stories that we didn't know. About an hour into our gossip session, CJ and I headed to the bar for another round of drinks. It was there that she started asking me questions about Josh in a kind of strange manner, as if she was trying to get me to tell her something without her asking me directly. I didn't want to come right out and just ask her what she wanted to know, but I couldn't think of another way to find out. However, the alcohol soon took over and I completely forgot about it; I've never really found an appropriate moment since then.
I've set myself a mission for today – find out whether tonight is a date, or if Josh is trying to repay me for something, or what. I think I'm gonna have to enlist help, so my first stop when I get to the office is to go and see CJ. I'll ask her what she was trying to find out last week and see if that gives me any clues. I don't know if Josh has told anyone about tonight, so I don't want to mention it just in case; if it *is* a date, he might want to keep it quiet.
*
"CJ, have you got a minute?"
She's looking up at me from her desk.
"Oh, hey, Donna. Sure, have a seat."
I've sat down on the couch in her office, indicating to her that it's a personal matter; if it was work, I'd have sat in her visitor's chair. Yeah, she understands, she's sat down in the armchair.
"What's up?"
"Nothing really, I… uh, I was just thinking back to our 'girls night out' last week."
She's smiling.
"Yeah? It was a good night."
"Yeah, it was, but I remembered something about it that… well, why did you start asking me about Josh?"
"Josh?"
She's good; her face and tone were nonchalant, but there was a flicker of worry for a moment.
"Yeah, you started asking me if I was glad that Amy and Josh were over and if I thought Josh was going to stay out of the dating game for a while."
"I did?"
"Yeah, you did."
She's nodding, as if remembering.
"Yeah, I did."
"Why were you asking?"
"I don't know, Donna, we were at the bar, I was making conversation."
"That's all it was?"
I know I sound skeptical.
"Yeah. Well, I mean, I was curious about your thoughts on Josh and Amy. You wouldn't talk about them while they were dating and we've never really had a chance to catch up properly since then, without Josh or one of the guys being around."
"Oh."
"So?"
"So, what?"
"What *are* your thoughts on Josh and Amy?"
Uh oh, danger, Will Robinson! Don't go there, CJ, I don't want to get into this, I might reveal too much.
"I, uh… I don't really have any thoughts on them, CJ. Their relationship is over and I'm glad Josh doesn't seem hurt or upset about it."
Why is she looking at me intently? What did I just say? Oh, right. Say something, Donna, quickly!
"I mean, I don't like to see Josh get hurt; he's a friend and a nice guy, he has enough pain already without adding to it."
Do you think she bought that? No, I don't either, but it'll have to do. Now to get out of here, quickly.
"Uh, speaking of Josh, he's probably wondering where I am, I haven't let him know I'm here yet. I'd better go, talk to you later, CJ."
Just get up from the couch and don't look at her, Donna. Damn, I can still see the look on her face; she has a small smile and looks as though she's figured something out. Okay, I need to stay away from CJ now, don't let myself be alone with her.
*
You know, if I didn't know better, I'd think that Josh was avoiding me. I mean, I know he's busier than ever, since he's been tasked with the selection process for the new VP, but still, you'd think he'd at least find time to ask how I'm doing or, you know, tell me where we're going tonight. Instead, he's been rushing into his office, grabbing the files I leave on his desk for him and then rushing off to his next meeting. How the hell am I supposed to find out if tonight's a date or not?
"Donna, are you listening?"
"Huh?"
Oh, damn, I didn't know he was there, I was too busy thinking.
"I asked you what you're still doing here."
"What?"
Oh, way to verbalize, Donna.
"It's after 5pm, don't you want to leave so you can get ready for tonight? I'd have thought you'd jump at the chance to get out of here early."
Wow, it's 5pm already?
"I, uh… I didn't realize it was so late."
What? It's true.
"Well, it is, so why don't you get going; I'll pick you up at 8."
"You don't need me to stick around? You still have a ton of stuff to do."
And I want to make sure you're going to get out of here on time.
"Nah, I'll be okay. I told Leo I couldn't work late tonight, so he's letting me pass some stuff on to Toby and Will."
What?!
"Leo knows about tonight?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't he?"
Well, because, if it's a date, I thought you might have wanted to keep it quiet. Dammit, now I'm more confused than ever. Wait, maybe he *would* tell Leo, I mean, would he want to check with Leo that it was okay to date me? No, he wouldn't do that, he wouldn't need to. Aarrgh!
"Donna?"
"Oh, right, yeah, I, uh… I just wondered, that's all."
Dammit, voice, quit stammering.
"You gonna go?"
"Yeah, I'm going. Thank, Josh, I'll see you at 8."
"Okay, be ready because I *will* be on time."
I didn't even get a chance to give him a disbelieving look there because he turned and walked away towards the Communications bullpen. Okay, Donna, pull yourself together, go home and get ready for dinner with Josh. Damn, I don't even know where we're going, so I don't know what to wear.
*
Well, it's five minutes to eight and I've just put the finishing touches to my hair; I've curled it lightly, similar to the way I wore it for the Inauguration. It took me about an hour to decide what to wear, trying to find something that was suitable for most restaurants; for all I know, Josh is going to wear the suit he wore today, or he might go home and just change into jeans. I decided on a dress suit; the dress has thin straps and can be casual or formal, but there is a jacket with it as well. I'll wait until Josh gets here before I put jewelry on; if he's in a suit, I can put more formal jewelry on than if he's in casual pants and a shirt.
Okay, that's the door buzzer; Josh is right on time. Well, it's now or never; let's just hope I'm dressed appropriately.
*
"Hey."
"Hi, Josh, come on in."
He's stepped into my apartment and closed the door. He's wearing a coat, so I can't tell for sure what he's wearing, although, it looks like the pants from a suit. Okay, I don't want to sound as though I'm fishing for compliments, because I'm really not, but I do need to find out if I'm wearing the right kind of thing.
"I, uh… I didn't know where we're going for dinner, so I hope I'm dressed okay."
He's looking me up and down; any other time, I'd have hit him for that.
"You look wonderful, Donna."
"I'll do then?"
"Yeah, you'll do."
He's grinning, typical!
"Thanks, I just have to grab my jewelry, gimme a sec."
"I might have known you wouldn't be ready on time."
Oh, there's the pot calling the kettle black.
"Look who's talking, Josh."
I'm calling to him from my bedroom, but I know he can hear me.
"Point taken."
He admitted that? Wow, this is a totally different situation for us, isn't it? Okay, I've put on my semi-formal jewelry, just to be on the safe side so, time to go.
*
The restaurant he's chosen is amazing, one I've always wanted to try, but never been to. It's 'Morrison-Clark Restaurant' in the Downtown area. It's part of the Morrison-Clark Inn, which is a totally beautiful hotel. I've heard good stories about it but never been; when I eat out with friends, we go somewhere cheaper – this place is *not* cheap – and I've never been brought here on a date, even though it's a popular 'date' restaurant. That, of course, has confused me again, because it *is* a typical date restaurant, but is that why Josh chose it?
"Nice choice of restaurant, Josh."
"Thanks, I hoped you'd like it; I've heard good reports about it."
"Yeah, me too."
We're sitting by one of the fireplaces; I wonder if Josh requested this when he made the reservation? Well, I can't ask him so, unless he tells me, I'll never know for sure. It's an incredibly romantic restaurant but, since Josh has never been before, did he know that?
*
We've just been served our main courses and Josh is looking at me like…okay, the last time he looked at me like this was the night of the Inauguration, when he told me I looked amazing. That was one of the best nights of my life. I thought it was going to be one of the worst, that I'd be sitting home all night while my friends were out celebrating but, more than that, I thought I'd be sitting home while Josh was out feeling disappointed, and probably betrayed by me. In the end though, it turned out to be one of the best nights, if not *the* best. It's funny how my highs and lows always seem to revolve around Josh. The worst night of my life was when he was shot, when I had to wait all those long hours to find out if he would live and then, although it wasn't anything much, the best night of my life was the Inauguration, when Josh came to 'rescue me' and whisk me away to a Ball. It was like something out of a fairytale; Josh and his band of Merry Men riding in on their, well, their taxi, to save me from the confines of my apartment. Okay, I know Robin Hood isn't a fairytale, but you get my meaning, right?
We had such fun that night, even though we ended up working; there was a euphoric feeling throughout us all and Josh was teasing me for most of the night, insisting I refer to him as 'Wild Thing'. Hey, I wonder if he remembers that?
"Hey, can you pass the pepper, Wild Thing?"
Yup, from the look on his face, I'd say he remembers why he wanted to be called that, his supposed skill with snowballs; it's brought out his full-dimpled smile.
"Did you just call me Wild Thing?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
He looks curious.
"Because."
Because I'm trying to figure out what this night is about, Josh and I want you to give me some sort of sign, anything to make it clear.
"Because what?"
"Just because."
Yeah, like I'm gonna tell him.
"Okay."
He looks confused, but he's still smiling.
"Because you asked me to."
There, that'll confuse him even more.
"What?"
Yup, confusion all over his face.
"You asked me to call you Wild Thing, don't you remember?"
He's smirking at me now. Wow, what that man can do with a smirk.
"Well, since you're in the mood for granting my requests, does that mean you'll bring me coffee."
I can't help myself, I have… to… laugh. Josh is laughing right along with me and everyone in the restaurant is now staring at us, but I don't care; the ice has been broken and we're back to being *us*.
*
Josh is just sitting there eating his food and smiling, but not giving me any indication as to what's going on in his head; dammit, why don't I understand men?
"Did CJ tell you that Danny sent her a bunch of flowers to apologize for chasing her so much lately?"
What? Oh, he's speaking to me; I got caught up trying to figure out what he's thinking about.
"Uh, yeah, she told me. It wasn't really a *bunch* of flowers though, it was more of a *bouquet*; a big, beautiful bouquet."
"As nice as the ones I buy for you?"
What? Where did *that* come from? When was the last time he actually bought me flowers?
"Josh, when was the last time you bought me flowers?"
There, *he* can provide the answer.
"April."
How the hell did he answer so quickly? Oh…
"Oh, that's right," I mock-grimace, "you got confused again about the date I started working for you. Really, Josh, you need to start using a calendar." I had managed to erase that from my memory, why did he have to mention it again?
"Look, I'm a man of occasion, so you get flowers in April."
"But I though we sorted this out; I started working for you in the February, so *that's* the occasion."
"Yeah, but until you… you told me the reason why you didn't want to be reminded of the period where you didn't work for me – the *other* reason, you know, different to just the fact that you couldn't bear to be parted from me…" Oh, God, he's actually smirking about this! "Anyway, until you told me that, I always celebrated it in April."
"But, you actually started giving me flowers in February after that," I point out. They're always really nice flowers too; must cost him a fortune. "Why do you still send some in April?" I ask him that every year when I get them, but he never gives me an answer.
"I don't like change."
He doesn't like change? What does that mean? His tone was totally unreadable there. Is he just talking about changing the date of our 'anniversary', or is he talking about change in general, or is he talking about *us*; maybe he senses that I want more between us and he's trying to let me know that he doesn't want to change things?
How do I respond to his comment? What do I say?
"I can tell that by the way you insist on wearing the same clothes for 36 hours straight."
There, bring the banter back and steer us into safer waters, Donna.
"I haven't done that for a while, you know," he defends. He's right, he hasn't. "I've actually been going home at night to get some sleep, or at least to try to get some sleep."
Trying to sleep? He's having problems sleeping again? I didn't know that. I should ask him about that, I want to help.
"*Trying* to sleep?"
He has this weird kind of deer-in-the-headlights look going on, like he said something he really didn't mean to say. Why is he so nervous about not being able to sleep?
"I, uh… I just find it difficult to sleep sometimes; you know, too much going on in my mind."
"Like what? I know things have been hectic lately with Hoynes and everything, but you wouldn't go home if you didn't think you could switch off from work, I know you wouldn't; you would just keep working until you got things sorted out or you collapsed from exhaustion."
The look on his face just confirmed that my fairly bold statement is true. See, I *do* know him well.
"So, uh… do you think Danny will actually back off from CJ now, or is this just to lull her into a false sense of security?"
Oh, he's trying the old 'change the subject' tactics; not going to work, Joshua.
"Josh, why can't you sleep?"
"I… I just have stuff to think about, it's nothing."
For some reason, that doesn't assure me.
"Is it…?"
How do I ask this? Last time I worried his PTSD would flare up – when a sniper hit the Press Room – he told me I was worrying far too much.
"No, it's not."
I guess he figured out what was going on in my mind there; it was probably written all over my face.
"You're sure?"
I know he doesn't like me asking him these kind of things, but I want, no, I *need* to know he's okay.
"Yes, I'm sure. Now, are you going to answer my question about Danny?"
I really don't want to change the subject yet, but he's obviously not comfortable talking about this, so I shouldn't press him.
"You know Danny better than I do, Josh."
*
We've been eating dinner for about an hour now, talking about our colleagues; it's been nice. It's strange though, we haven't actually been discussing them in a work sense. Instead, we've been discussing their personal lives; CJ and Danny, Toby and Andrea and the impending birth of the twins, we've even talked about the Bartlets; we've never really *not* talked about work before, not for this long. Like I said, it's nice.
"Would you like some dessert?"
Oh, it's the waiter. I didn't even notice him; I was too busy watching the laughter lines on Josh's face dancing around as he laughed at my comment about Toby probably teaching the twins to hold a pen as soon as they're born.
"Donna, would you like some dessert?"
Oops, I still haven't answered the waiter, have I?
"I don't think I could manage it; I'm pretty full."
"But you have to, Donna; the cheesecake here is supposed to be amazing."
"It would be a waste, Josh, I wouldn't finish it."
"Okay."
It *would* be a waste; the food here is fantastic and I've eaten way too much already, there's no way I could fit in dessert as well.
"Can we have the cheesecake with two forks please?"
What?
"We can share."
His voice was very soft as he said that and he was looking right into my eyes, as if he was reading my thoughts. Water, I need water to calm me down and bring me back to Earth from Planet Josh!
I've grabbed my water glass and I'm gulping it down. Okay, that wasn't the right thing to do; I drank it so fast I now feel like I'm choking and Josh has a panicked look on his face.
"Donna, are you okay?"
Yup, he's panicked alright. I'm trying to nod but, you know, it's not easy to do when you're trying to find a way to breathe. They say to drink water to help you *stop* choking, not to *cause* you to choke; it could only happen to me.
"Donna?"
He's now got up from his seat and is kneeling down beside me. This is totally embarrassing; everyone is looking at us.
"I'm alright."
Okay, I sounded croaky there.
"You sure?"
Well, I *was* alright until you started rubbing your hand up and down my back in a soothing manner, Josh!
"I'm fine, just drank the water too fast and it went down the wrong way."
Thankfully, my voice is now back to normal. Josh, remove your hand from my back and go back to your seat before I have to drink a full pitcher of water!
"Do you still feel up to eating some cheesecake?"
He's sitting opposite me again, but his eyes are boring into me; I don't think he believes that I'm okay. Oh, Josh, your worry complex about people you care about is sweet, but I don't want you to worry about me; that'll just make *me* worry about *you*.
"I might manage a bite or two."
"Good," he smiles, "because here it comes."
Sure enough, the waiter just set the cheesecake down in the middle of the table, after moving the candle to one side. Oh, I didn't mention there was a lit candle on our table, did I? Well, there is and it's just increasing my dreams about what this evening is about… meaning I'll be even more disappointed later.
We've picked up our forks, but neither of us seems to want to make the first move towards the cheesecake.
"This is stupid."
Oops, did I say that out loud?
"You're right, let's dig in."
Phew, glad he didn't probe me about what I was finding stupid. We both stabbed our forks into the cheesecake, on opposite sides, and are now putting the forks into our mouths. I'm watching the food practically glide into Josh's mouth and… you know what, I need to avert my eyes before I choke again. Okay, that was probably a mistake because I looked at Josh's eyes instead of his mouth, only to find that his eyes are focused on my lips. Should I take my time with the cheesecake, eat it seductively? No, I don't want to seduce Josh, well, I *do*, but I'm not going to; I still don't know what tonight is about. Right, I'm just going to eat a little bit more of the cheesecake, normally, and stay silent, unless Josh asks me something.
*
Well, we've finished dinner and left the restaurant and are now waiting for the valet to bring Josh's car around. It's about 10pm and it's a clear night, meaning the stars are visible in the sky. Right now, I'm looking up at them, watching them twinkle; with Josh standing beside me, this is the perfect way to spend an evening.
"Donna, the car is here."
Huh? Oh, I must have drifted off into my own little world there. Josh is holding the car door open for me.
"Thanks, Josh."
He just closed the door and got in his own side.
"Do you wanna go for a drive?"
"What?"
"It's Friday night, we don't have to be at work as early tomorrow; it's a beautiful night, so I thought you might want to drive around for a bit."
"That sounds good, but…"
"But what?
"Well, it *is* a beautiful night, so I think I'd rather go for a walk."
"That sounds good too; I'll drive us somewhere, okay?"
"Okay."
*
Josh ended up parking the car on Constitution Avenue and we're now walking, well strolling along the Mall. There are a few people around but, in general, it's pretty quiet. It's definitely a night for dates though; there's a street vendor selling roses, something that you don't often see around here.
"Hey, wait here for a sec, I'll be back."
"What, Josh?"
He just left me standing here and jogged off. Oh, he's approaching the street vendor. What is he doing? I mean, you only buy roses for dates, right? Does that mean that it *is* a date? Well, he's walking towards me now so, hopefully, I'm about to find out.
"A beautiful rose for a beautiful lady."
"You know that line was totally corny, right?"
He's shrugging his shoulders.
"I know, but I'm not good with this stuff."
"What stuff?"
"Dating."
Dating?
"Did you say *dating*?"
He did say dating, right?
"Yeah."
He looks confused with my question. If he said dating, that means this is a date! Wait, Donna, calm down, don't get too presumptuous. Wow, how did I use a big word like that when I'm this excited? Stop it, calm down! Heart, stop pounding; I mean it, Josh will hear you!
"You're no good with dating stuff?"
"Yeah, you know me, I'm pretty hopeless."
"You're hopeless with most things Josh." What? He is! "But, why are you talking about dating in particular?"
"Well, isn't it usual to talk about dating when you're on a date?"
I KNEW IT!!!!!!!! Oh, he's looking at me for an answer. He looks nervous, like he thinks he's said something wrong. Okay, smile sweetly at him, but don't overdo it, don't look like an idiot.
"Yeah, I guess that's usual."
Nice, Donna, you managed to act pretty nonchalant there.
"Donna, you did realize this was a date, right?"
There was a definite smirk in his voice and, yup, there's a matching smirk on his face. Dammit, I'm busted; he knows I wasn't sure if this was a date or not. I need to wipe the smirk from his face or I'll never live this down; he'll go on and on about how I can't read him as well as I thought.
"If I'd known it was a date, do you think I'd have said yes?"
Mission completed, the smirk is gone. But, wait, it's been replaced with a totally crestfallen look. Aargh, way to blow it, Donna!
"I'm sorry, I should have been clearer. We can forget I said anything."
"No!" Oops, didn't mean to sound so desperate there. Actually, I did. "Josh, I was just messing with you; I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Just messing with me how? You knew it was a date all along?"
Hmm, how should I answer this? Choices, choices. Well, they say honesty is the best policy.
"No, I didn't know it was a date; I wasn't sure."
"I thought you were *tuned* to me, Donna?"
He's smirking again.
"See, that's why I had to mess with you, Josh, to stop you holding it over me that I don't know you as well as I thought I did."
"You know me, Donna, better than anyone."
The smirk is gone and his face is totally serious.
"Wait, *would* you have come tonight if you'd known it was a date?"
Oh, Josh, your insecurities are incredible given who you are.
"Yes, Josh, I would have."
Hey, who made my voice sound so husky?
"Good."
Well, someone stole his breath too because his voice was as husky as mine there. Oh, my God, the look he's giving me is making my knees go weak; his eyes are totally full of emotion, they've gone very dark.
We've been walking all this time and are now standing in the Ellipse, with the White House in the distance behind us, and our eyes are locked together. There's a slight chill in the air – it is early May after all – but I don't feel cold; instead, heat is searing through me and I'm pretty sure it's transmitted from Josh's eyes. There are only about two steps between us, correction, make that one step because Josh has just taken a step forwards. He's looking at me intently, searching my eyes, as though he's waiting for something. Oh, right, he wants an indication of what I want. Well, I think I'll step towards him, close the gap; that's a pretty good indication, right?
Yeah, that's what he was waiting for because his hands are now on either side of my face, caressing my cheeks. God, this feels so good… and so *right*. Wow, the look in his eyes is totally intense, he's making me feel like the most special person in the World. All thought is now being pushed from my head because his lips are on mine…
I need to stop kissing him so I can catch my breath, but I don't want to remove my lips from his. Well, he's moved back now anyway.
"I'm sorry."
What? What's he sorry for? Does he think I didn't want that? Did he not mean to kiss me? Did *he* not want it?
"You're… you're sorry?"
Okay, I really need to get my breathing under control before I attempt to speak again.
"I can't hold my breath for as long as I used to, it's an unfortunate side effect from, you know, being shot."
Oh, *that's* what he's sorry for.
"It's okay, Josh." I'm giving him my best smile, I hope he realizes that. "At least you're not sorry for kissing me."
Wait, did I say that out loud? Yeah, from the look on his face, I must have.
"I'll never be sorry for that, Donna."
Okay, I didn't think my knees could get any weaker without me collapsing, but they just did. His voice is so full of emotion and he hasn't taken his eyes off me.
"You're not sorry, are you?"
Now his voice holds traces of worry.
"Does this answer your question?"
I'm guessing that, by the way he's responding to my kiss, he knows the answer.
"You know I mentioned earlier that I was having trouble sleeping?"
"Yeah."
"Well, you're the reason."
What?
"*I'm* the reason?"
"Yeah, you see, I've been wanting to do this for a while."
"This?"
"Yeah, you know, asking you out."
"Oh."
Wait, he's been wanting to do it for a *while*?
"How long is a while?"
"Pretty much since Thanksgiving, though it took me a while to figure it out completely; definitely since Christmas though."
"What took you so long? It's now May."
I really want to know the answer to that.
"I wanted to get it right, so I took my time and planned."
"*You*? You don't know how to plan."
What? He doesn't.
"A man can change, Donna."
"So, you planned?"
"Yeah, and I'm glad I did, because tonight has been perfect, at least for me."
He's looking a little dubious, I should reassure him.
"It's been perfect for me as well, Josh."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Does this prove it?"
I can feel his smile against my lips; I guess he's got his proof.
*
"I should get you home."
Okay, when he broke our kiss this time, those are not the words I expected to hear.
"Home?"
"Yeah, it's late and, unfortunately, we have to work tomorrow, even though it's Saturday."
He's talking as though he's just gonna take me home and then leave; that can't be what he means, can it?
"But, I…" How do I phrase this? "What happens now, Josh?"
His hands are back on my face and he's holding my gaze.
"Well, I took my time to get us to this point, to ask you out when the time was right, to not rush things; I think we should just go with the flow and see where it takes us. We have time, Donna, I want this to be right, to last."
"You don't want to rush?"
Is that a compliment, or not?
"Donna, if I'm right, this is going to be the last time that either of us *date*, so I think we should take our time and savor each step."
Did he just hint that…? He did, didn't he?
"That sounds like a plan."
"Good, because you know how I like to plan things."
He's giving me a full-dimpled grin; how am I going to resist inviting him in when we get to my apartment?
"And you know how I like to execute your plans."
"Yeah, I know; we make a good team, Donna."
"Take me home, Josh."
"Certainly, Donna, your chariot awaits… parked on the street, where we left it."
Okay, the bad jokes are back; this is going to work.
**
The End
Well, that's it folks… I hope this was worth the wait. :-)