Robert was waiting at the steps outside of Strings when Elizabeth's taxi approached. He was wearing a dark blue suit and for a moment her breath caught. It wasn't like she hadn't seen him dressed up before. He always looked impeccable in his dress shirts and fashionable ties, but with the full suit, he looked downright sexy. She blushed as the cab slowed and Robert approached.

He opened her door and then stepped around to the other side. "Let me get this" Robert told her before paying the fare.

"You don't have to."

"Look, it's not like the 30 pounds is going to break me. You're daddy pays me well."

"Don't remind me."

"Don't bother being affronted by nepotism now. You made your four poster bed."

"It wasn't like a had a whole lot of options."

"You always have options." And then turning his attention to the hostess he requested, "table for two." The hostess led the couple to a darkened booth in the corner of the room. Elizabeth's mind raced. She hadn't figured she could go back to County after her decision to return to work, a full three months after Mark's death. "How about a bottle of the house red?"

"Are you serious Robert?"

"Well if you would prefer the Chianti"

"Not about the wine about my options."

He set the wine menu down slowly and stared directly into her eyes. "Elizabeth. I would have held your spot at County forever, if it meant I could stare across an operation into your face again."

"Good to know." She picked up her menu and opened it between them, going through the motions of deciding on her order. Robert followed her lead and looked to his own menu.

"Have you tried the Alfredo sauce?"

"No. But I heard it was delicious."

"So what did you have last"

"I haven't been here before." The words had slipped out before she had realized her cover was blown.

"You haven't? Then why the recommendation."

"Truthfully?" She closed her menu.

"I abhor truth, usually. But in this case, sure, let's give it a go."

"I always wanted to eat here, but didn't have the nerve to do it on my own."

"Oh, I see. So I am your designated dummy date."

"Well perhaps not in so many words."

"It's fine. I'll be your DDD anytime."

"Thank you, Robert." Elizabeth smiled before picking up her menu again. The waiter approached and took their wine order. Robert also placed an order for lemon garlic muscles to start them off. It was the perfect appetizer that she would love to eat alone but never have the nerve to order while on a date. Was this a date? She asked herself.

"How about a toast?" Robert announced waking her from her thoughts.

She raised her glass, "to what?"

"To what was lost" She moved her arm forward to clink his glass. He pulled his cup away quickly. "Wait. I wasn't done."

"Oh, okay. Sorry."

"To what was lost. To what was found. To what will always be." They touched glasses and both took a deep drink.

"That was a beautiful toast."

"I saw it on TV once." He threw out carelessly. She didn't believe him but she didn't push it. "So, I am thinking about the lasagna pastry."

"Sounds promising."

"It does. Doesn't it."