A/N: Short chapter. Hints of H/M.
For the first time in a long while, I'm not looking forward to dinner with Ryleigh. I've reached my drama quota for the month, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Normally I would not be meeting her on a "school" night but I want to know what decision she reached before family dinner tomorrow night. I'm running late so there's no time to run home and change out of my uniform. Fortunately she selected a restaurant close to my office.
When I step inside the restaurant, I stand on my toes and try to spot a familiar flash of red hair. Seeing none, I give the hostess my name and the name of my companion. She flips through her reservation book and frowns. "I don't have any reservations for Ryleigh Rabb. I do have a Harmon Rabb. Is that who you're looking for?"
She probably called it in as Mrs. Harmon Rabb. The employees at this particular restaurant are not known for their intelligence. I agree and follow a tall blonde waitress to a table in the back room. Ryleigh is nowhere to be seen, but the waitress is leading me to where a dark-haired man is sitting alone. Though I can only see the back of his head, I know exactly who it is.
Just before we reach the table Harm stands up and turns around. His smile grows a little wider when he sees me. "Mac, have a seat. What are you doing here?"
Funny, I'm wondering the same thing about him; though I have a sinking suspicion I know who's behind all this. He rushes around the table to pull out my chair and then push it back in once I'm seated. The waitress takes my drink order and quickly leaves to get it filled. There's a vase of roses on the table. My first thought is that he was expecting Rye but that can't be right. She doesn't like roses. She prefers beautiful lilies, callas and orchids. Has he forgotten or was he expecting someone else?
The insistent beep of my cell alerts me to a new text message. I am about to apologize for the noise, but Harm is too busy answering his ringing phone. I quickly retrieve my phone and enter my password. "Have a piece of cheesecake for me." A little off the wall, but confirms my earlier suspicions. This is a set up.
"That was Rye. Something came up at the Academy and she had to cancel our dinner. Would you mind joining me? Unless you had other plans..."
I've never seen Harm so unsure of himself. This must be the month for firsts. He doesn't know about his wife's plan and I'm not about to make things awkward between us by telling him. I smile and pat his hand. "No, my date cancelled to. I'd love to join you."
The waitress returns with my tea and gives us a minute to peruse the menu. After placing our order, Harm and I chat about our recent cases. During a lull in the conversation when the waitress brings our food, I pause and wonder about the feasibility of a relationship with the man sitting across from me. It seems that work is all we ever talk about.
Before I can think too much about the subject, he mentions a point Bud brought up in one of his cases last week. I feel passionately about this subject, as I know he does. We just happen to feel passionately about different sides. The rest of our meal is spent defending our respective positions. While at times I cannot deny his logic, most of the time his arguments require a stretch of the imagination.
As he animatedly attempts to blow holes in my theory, a feeling of wistfulness washes over me. I've missed this. Missed arguing with a man I respect and admire. He challenges me in ways I've never been challenged before. He keeps me on my toes and prevents my brain from atrophying. God I love this man.
When the waitress inquires about dessert, I remember my message. Following instructions, I order a slice of cheesecake. Harm does the same. After one bite of the creamy dessert, I mentally thank my friend for the suggestion. I feel no guilt over letting him pay the bill or accepting the flowers. I could be charging him for marriage counseling, so this is the least he could do. He walks me to my car and hugs me before I get inside.
Half a mile from the restaurant I reach for my cell and call speed-dial number 2. She answers on the second ring.
"You're a dead woman." I'm only half-teasing.
Her affectionate laughter brings a smile to my face. "I take it you enjoyed dinner then?"
"Yes." There's no hesitation on my part. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner with Harm. It reminded me of the "good old days." Helped me realize that despite the changes we've gone through, there's still that spark I've always felt. If anything I'm more in love with him now than before. Was this her intention? What's her motivation? A dark thought crosses my mind. "How are you feeling?"
"Pretty good for a change. I'm getting things back in perspective." She adopts a more serious tone. "Can I stop by tomorrow night before everyone else shows up?"
I take this to mean she's reached a decision. Something so serious that she can't tell me over the phone. I hope I can wait until tomorrow night. The suspense is already killing me. "Of course you can, kiddo. Don't forget tomorrow's your night to bring dessert."
"Did you try the cheesecake?"
Now how did I know that was coming? "Yes, I did. Thank you. It was just what I needed." I don't know if I'm talking about the cheesecake or the evening with Harm. Both seemed to have eased my stress and brought me out of my depression.
"You're welcome." Somehow I think she knows what I'm thinking. The way she can read me is frightening. I only wish I was able to do the same to her. It could have prevented some of this. "Good night Sarah. I love you."
"Night Rye. Love you too." If I can't say the words to one Rabb, I might as well say them to the other. At least with her I know the feeling is mutual.
For the first time in a long while, I'm not looking forward to dinner with Ryleigh. I've reached my drama quota for the month, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Normally I would not be meeting her on a "school" night but I want to know what decision she reached before family dinner tomorrow night. I'm running late so there's no time to run home and change out of my uniform. Fortunately she selected a restaurant close to my office.
When I step inside the restaurant, I stand on my toes and try to spot a familiar flash of red hair. Seeing none, I give the hostess my name and the name of my companion. She flips through her reservation book and frowns. "I don't have any reservations for Ryleigh Rabb. I do have a Harmon Rabb. Is that who you're looking for?"
She probably called it in as Mrs. Harmon Rabb. The employees at this particular restaurant are not known for their intelligence. I agree and follow a tall blonde waitress to a table in the back room. Ryleigh is nowhere to be seen, but the waitress is leading me to where a dark-haired man is sitting alone. Though I can only see the back of his head, I know exactly who it is.
Just before we reach the table Harm stands up and turns around. His smile grows a little wider when he sees me. "Mac, have a seat. What are you doing here?"
Funny, I'm wondering the same thing about him; though I have a sinking suspicion I know who's behind all this. He rushes around the table to pull out my chair and then push it back in once I'm seated. The waitress takes my drink order and quickly leaves to get it filled. There's a vase of roses on the table. My first thought is that he was expecting Rye but that can't be right. She doesn't like roses. She prefers beautiful lilies, callas and orchids. Has he forgotten or was he expecting someone else?
The insistent beep of my cell alerts me to a new text message. I am about to apologize for the noise, but Harm is too busy answering his ringing phone. I quickly retrieve my phone and enter my password. "Have a piece of cheesecake for me." A little off the wall, but confirms my earlier suspicions. This is a set up.
"That was Rye. Something came up at the Academy and she had to cancel our dinner. Would you mind joining me? Unless you had other plans..."
I've never seen Harm so unsure of himself. This must be the month for firsts. He doesn't know about his wife's plan and I'm not about to make things awkward between us by telling him. I smile and pat his hand. "No, my date cancelled to. I'd love to join you."
The waitress returns with my tea and gives us a minute to peruse the menu. After placing our order, Harm and I chat about our recent cases. During a lull in the conversation when the waitress brings our food, I pause and wonder about the feasibility of a relationship with the man sitting across from me. It seems that work is all we ever talk about.
Before I can think too much about the subject, he mentions a point Bud brought up in one of his cases last week. I feel passionately about this subject, as I know he does. We just happen to feel passionately about different sides. The rest of our meal is spent defending our respective positions. While at times I cannot deny his logic, most of the time his arguments require a stretch of the imagination.
As he animatedly attempts to blow holes in my theory, a feeling of wistfulness washes over me. I've missed this. Missed arguing with a man I respect and admire. He challenges me in ways I've never been challenged before. He keeps me on my toes and prevents my brain from atrophying. God I love this man.
When the waitress inquires about dessert, I remember my message. Following instructions, I order a slice of cheesecake. Harm does the same. After one bite of the creamy dessert, I mentally thank my friend for the suggestion. I feel no guilt over letting him pay the bill or accepting the flowers. I could be charging him for marriage counseling, so this is the least he could do. He walks me to my car and hugs me before I get inside.
Half a mile from the restaurant I reach for my cell and call speed-dial number 2. She answers on the second ring.
"You're a dead woman." I'm only half-teasing.
Her affectionate laughter brings a smile to my face. "I take it you enjoyed dinner then?"
"Yes." There's no hesitation on my part. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner with Harm. It reminded me of the "good old days." Helped me realize that despite the changes we've gone through, there's still that spark I've always felt. If anything I'm more in love with him now than before. Was this her intention? What's her motivation? A dark thought crosses my mind. "How are you feeling?"
"Pretty good for a change. I'm getting things back in perspective." She adopts a more serious tone. "Can I stop by tomorrow night before everyone else shows up?"
I take this to mean she's reached a decision. Something so serious that she can't tell me over the phone. I hope I can wait until tomorrow night. The suspense is already killing me. "Of course you can, kiddo. Don't forget tomorrow's your night to bring dessert."
"Did you try the cheesecake?"
Now how did I know that was coming? "Yes, I did. Thank you. It was just what I needed." I don't know if I'm talking about the cheesecake or the evening with Harm. Both seemed to have eased my stress and brought me out of my depression.
"You're welcome." Somehow I think she knows what I'm thinking. The way she can read me is frightening. I only wish I was able to do the same to her. It could have prevented some of this. "Good night Sarah. I love you."
"Night Rye. Love you too." If I can't say the words to one Rabb, I might as well say them to the other. At least with her I know the feeling is mutual.