2. Dinner feelings

Once back in the room, Catherine felt her heart beating normal again. She then realized something: Lindsey hadn't been surprised at all that Warrick was here!

"Lindsey, did you know Warrick would be here?"

Lindsey froze, trying to think of a story. Catherine knew enough. "Okay, who did you tell?"

"Madison, Jake, Shannen…"

"Lindsey!"

"Okay, okay!" Lindsey sighed. "A few weeks ago, after you told me about the holiday, Sara and Greg had to investigate a house across Madison's." Madison was her best friend.

"Me and Madison went to check it out and then Sara and Greg came to talk to us. Sara asked about the vacation, so I told her where we would be staying."

"Great…"

"Mom, are you mad?" For the second time within ten minutes, Catherine was surprised. Why did Lindsey look so scared?

"No, honey, I'm not mad."

"Good. Then wear your blue dress tonight!" Lindsey giggled, quickly rushing into the bathroom. Catherine couldn't help laughing.

"Lindsey! Even if I wanted to, I couldn't: I didn't bring it."

"Check my backpack."

Catherine's mouth dropped open. What? Lindsey giggled again.

"Linds, I… Oh, I give up! Okay, I'll wear it! Where's your backpack?"

Twenty-five minutes later, Catherine and Lindsey met up with Warrick in the lobby.

"Hey," Warrick smiled. "Don't you two look beautiful."

"Thanks," Catherine shyly smiled.

"Can we eat now?" Lindsey sighed.

Catherine and Warrick both smiled. "Sure, honey," Catherine said. "So, where do you want to eat?"

"I heard the food in the hotel restaurant is excellent!" Warrick told her.

"Well, then let's eat right here," Catherine suggested.

The three of them walked to the hotel restaurant where they received their menus from a young woman.

"Would you like something to drink?" she asked.

"Mom, can I have a milkshake, please?" Lindsey begged. "Pretty please?"

"Honey, a milkshake at dinner?"

"Actually, that sounds really nice," Warrick said. "I'll have one, too."

"Make that three milkshakes then!" Catherine smiled. The young woman walked away from their table to get their drinks while Catherine, Warrick and Lindsey checked out the menus. Lindsey had soon decided on the Hawaiian style pizza, Catherine and Warrick both ordered a salad dish. After they ordered, they all fell silent. Lindsey played with the table cloth, which Catherine forbade her. She didn't dare to look at Warrick, but she felt his eyes on her.

"You look really nice in that dress, Cath."

Now she looked up, smiling shyly again. "Thanks."

They all fell silent again. Luckily, the young woman brought their meals. They ate in silence, only being interrupted once by the young waitress asking how their food was.

"Yummy!" Lindsey grinned. "This is the best Hawaiian pizza I've ever had!"

"I'm glad you like it," Catherine smiled.

They finished their dinner and the waitress asked if they wanted dessert.

"No, thanks, I'm full," Catherine replied. "What about you, Warrick?"

"Well, why don't we buy the young lady an ice cream at the bar and then go for a walk along the beach?" Warrick suggested.

"A walk?" Lindsey stared at him. "I can't walk anymore, I'm tired!"

"Oh, then you must be too tired to eat an ice cream," Catherine teased.

"No!" Lindsey giggled. "I want that ice cream!"

Warrick insisted on paying for the dinner.

"Hey, I invited you, so I'm paying!" he said.

Catherine finally gave in, but she quickly added: "But I'm paying my daughter's ice cream!"

"Sure!" Warrick laughed.

After buying Lindsey a big ice cream, they went to the beach.

"Mom, I'm really tired, can I go back to our room?" Lindsey asked, yawning. She showed her mom a cute little smile, which actually meant: Like that, I won't be in your way! Catherine knew exactly what it meant and she wanted to say 'no'. However, to her own surprise, she said: "Yeah, sure, honey, I'll see you later."

Lindsey rushed back inside. Catherine now felt awkward, being alone with Warrick at the beach with a full moon above their heads.

"Cath, I've got the idea we've been set up," Warrick suddenly started. "Sara and Greg were a little too eager to make sure I had my vacation here! And now Lindsey…"

"Yeah, I know," Catherine smiled. "She even brought this dress in her own backpack!"

Warrick laughed. "You've got quite a little girl, Cath! She can be stubborn and all, but she has a good heart."

"A little too good, if you ask me," Catherine groaned softly, shaking her head. "You want to walk further along the beach?"

Warrick stopped her. "Cath, I just want you to know that I just want us to be friends. Just that. Okay?"

"Yeah, of course," Catherine said. "Just friends, that's all."

"Great," Warrick smiled. "Come on, let's walk on for a bit."

While they walked on, Catherine felt sad. But why? Did she like Warrick as more than a friend? She remembered the time where she fell into his arms after sliding down while investigating a crime scene in the sewer. Remembering how close his lips had been made her head spin. Suddenly, she realized how much she liked working together with Warrick. But… he was her colleague! She couldn't… She did. She was in love, like a teenager again. Why did she agree on the whole being friends thing?

"I was just wondering," she softly started, "does that whole being friends thing mean we can't spend some time together here?"

Warrick showed her one of his gorgeous smiles. "Of course not! I love spending time with you and Lindsey here. In fact, let's go to the beach together tomorrow! Or are you afraid of me seeing you in your bikini?"

"Why? You've already seen me like that," she teased him. He laughed.

"Oh, yeah, that's true! So, what do you say?"

"Sure, I'd love to go with you to the beach tomorrow!"