Chapter 10

Nervousness

"Hey sunshine," Ray smiled as Neela strolled into the living room. Ray switched off the TV and stood up. He stretched and looked over at the clock. It was 3, both he and Neela would be starting a shift in about 2 hours.

"Hey," Neela called from the kitchen as she pulled open the fridge. She looked for something edible but all she found was some unidentifiable thing in a container. She straightened up and turned toward the living room. "Ray," she shouted. "We better go to the store to get some groceries before our shift. Otherwise we'll have nothing to eat."

She jumped when Ray spoke from behind her. "How about I take you out for dinner?" Ray said sliding his hands around her waist and hugging her.

"With what money?" she questioned although dinner didn't sound like such a bad idea. She leaned against Ray and smiled to herself. She had quickly realized that she like being close to Ray and often found herself in his arms.

Ray shrugged. "With the money for groceries."

"Ray," Neela pulled away from him. "How are we supposed to eat for the rest of the week?"

"I'm kidding," Ray laughed. "I saved some of my money especially for this purpose."

"What purpose?" Neela opened the fridge again and sighed as she stared at nothing.

"For the purpose of taking my beautiful girlfriend out for dinner," Ray brushed some hair off her neck and kissed her there lightly.

"Aw," Neela's face lightened as she turned back to face him. "You certainly know how to sweet talk don't you?" Neela smirked.

"Is it working?" Ray shot her a hopeful look.

"I'll go get ready," Neela smiled and exited the room. A look of triumph crossed Ray's face as he headed back to the living room and flopped onto the couch. He was already dressed and ready. Neela reappeared a couple minutes later.

Ray stood as he heard her enter the room and when he saw her he fell speechless. God she's beautiful his mind spoke. "Wow," was all he was able to stammer out loud.

Neela stood before him a little nervous. "Is this alright?" she motioned to her knee length black skirt and pink long sleeved shirt.

"You look amazing," Ray knew this was the kind of outfit she sometimes wore and it wasn't anything different or spectacular but she somehow looked so much more beautiful to him now.

Neela blushed a little. "Should we go?"

Ray rushed to her side and offered her his arm. "My lady."

Neela slipped her arm through his and smiled. "Thank you sir."

"The place I had in mind is walking distance. You don't mind do you?" Ray asked escorting Neela out the door.

"Not at all," Neela smiled kissing Ray. Ray had to force himself to pull away and lead her to the restaurant.

They left the restaurant an hour later hand in hand. "That was an amazing dinner. Thanks Ray," Neela patted her full stomach.

Ray laughed. "I've never seen someone devour so much cake so quickly."

Neela's eyes widened. "I only had one piece and I didn't eat it that fast. You had cake too!"

"But your piece equaled three of my pieces," Ray grinned.

"Well, it was good," Neela frowned.

"I know and now I know to bring you cake when your angry with me," Ray wore a mischievous smile on his face.

"Anyways," Neela muttered, desperate to change the topic from cake. "We better go home and get that van of yours if we plan on making it to the hospital on time."

"Sure," Ray nodded. They walked in silence for a moment. "Neela, at work, are we going to tell anyone about us? I mean since we're working the same shift now."

"Um," Neela paused. "I don't know. Maybe we should just let them figure it out on their own. I'm not big on announcing my private life to everyone. Besides, even if we are on the same shift we still have to be professional."

"Does that mean we can't meet up in the supply cupboard and make out?" Ray laughed.

"Ray," Neela looked at him in disbelief. "Of course we won't be making out in the supply cupboard."

"It was worth a try," Ray shrugged.

Later as Ray drove towards the hospital Neela's mind kept carrying her to work and what was going to happen when they got there. "Ray?"

"Hmmm," his voice was soothing to her as she turned her attention from outside to him.

"Are you nervous?" she asked.

"Nope," Ray shook his head. "Are you?"

"Well I mean, what are people going to think? We weren't very close before and now we're a couple."

"So," Ray came to a red light and stopped. He was able to look at her. "Do you not want to be with me?"

"Of course I do," Neela quickly replied. "It's just…"

"Neela, baby, as long as you're sure of what we have then it doesn't matter what other people think of us. I must say we will surprise people but quite frankly I don't care about them. I care about you and that's all there is to it."

Neela smiled. "You surprise me Ray."

"I'm not just a sexy face," Ray grinned. "I've got a heart."

Neela leaned forward and kissed him just as the light turned green. The honks off horns behind them made them pull apart quickly.

"I've got to say, working with you could be a distraction. I don't know how long I'll be able to last with out being with you," Ray started to drive again.

"You will be with me," Neela rested her head back, more comfortable now with going to work. She did care about Ray and he was right, what other people thought didn't matter.

"No, I mean, to be able to kiss you, hold your hand or be near you," Ray's cheeks turned slightly red. Neela couldn't believe her eyes. Was he blushing?

"Well, maybe on break I could meet you in the supply cupboard," Neela giggled.

"Really?" Ray's face lit up.

"No," Neela laughed harder now. "Just drive honey or we're going to be late."

Author's Note - Hey Everybody. I know this took a while to get posted. I was so busy and sick and tired and and and. There seems to have been so much going on i couldn't find a minute to sit down and get this done. Finally here it is. It's sort of just a fluffy chapter. Next chapter's going to be fun. They'll be at work together. Maybe even rondevous in the suplly cupboard. ;) haha. anyways. hope you all enjoy.
P.S.No new episode tonight. tear what am i going to do?