Chapter 8
Grissom was still standing, holding the ring when Catherine walked in.
"What's up with Sara? She nearly plowed into me," Catherine said. Then she noticed the ring in his hand and knew what Sara's deal was. "What's that?"
"It's a ring," Grissom stated matter-of-factly.
"It looks like an engagement ring," she replied.
"It was," he said. "Now it's just a ring."
"Who is—was it for? Olivia?" Catherine asked.
Grissom nodded. "But I never got to give it to her. I was going to propose the day she left, but I got called into work. In the rush of getting her off to the airport and getting to work, I forgot. And then I never heard from her again."
Catherine was stunned. She couldn't imagine Grissom every getting married, so to hear that he was going to propose to a woman he had only know for a few months was a total shock. "She must have been one heck of a woman," Catherine finally got out.
Grissom shrugged. "I was young and impetuous. She was beautiful and infectious."
"What made you get the ring out now?"
"I thought I'd give it to Alexandria. It would have been hers eventually anyway." Grissom placed the ring back in the box. "Was there something you needed?"
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Alex was growing anxious as the days passed. She decided she really needed to get out of her apartment or she was going to go crazy. I think I have some clubbing clothes somewhere, she thought, as she headed for her closet.
She found a pair of leather pants she hadn't even remembered she owned. They still fit, she was amazed. Now if only I could find the right shirt.
She searched through her closet and finally decided on a deep red shirt with cap sleeves and a modest collar. She knew she didn't want to wear heels; she hadn't in a long time. After a little more searching, she found her calf-height boots.
She pulled her hair back in a half ponytail so it wouldn't get into her eyes. Not too shabby, she thought, looking at herself in the mirror.
When she got to the club, the music was a little louder than she remembered. Of course, she hadn't been to a club since college. The people all looked the same, maybe a little bit younger than what she remembered. Still, she found the pulsing of the lights and the thumping of the music to be just the distraction she was seeking.
Out on the dance floor, she became one with the sea of gyrating bodies. She was lost in the beat when someone bumped into her.
"Ow!" she howled, rubbing her shoulder and turning to see who it was.
"Sorry!" the attractive guy apologized. He was tall, thin, with spiky blonde hair and beautiful eyes.
Not bad, she thought. "You can make it up to me by buying me a drink," she smiled, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the bar. He started to hesitate. "Unless your girlfriend would mind," she added, giving him a way out.
"No, no girlfriend," he replied and started to follow her to the bar.
"I'm Alex," she semi-shouted over the music, waiting on her drink.
"Greg," he replied.
"Nice to meet you Greg," she said, stretching out her hand for him to shake.
"You here by yourself?" he asked, shaking her hand.
"Yes," she answered. "Just needed a distraction and couldn't find anyone to come with me."
"What?" he said, her voice was barely audible over the loud music.
She moved closer to him. Mmm, he smells good, she thought. He bent his head down so he could hear her better. "Yes, here by myself," she repeated.
"Well then," he smiled, holding out his arm. "Shall we dance?"
Alex smiled and nodded, looping her arm through his. Looks like it's not going to be such a bad night.
Back on the dance floor, Greg couldn't believe his luck. He was having a great time. This girl is gorgeous! Nick and Warrick are NOT going to believe this.
As the night drew on, the pair didn't share much personal information. The conversation was kept light on purpose by Alex. She hated revealing too much too soon. A lot of guys were put off by her position and she really wanted to get to know this guy more.
When they decided to call it a night, they exchanged numbers.
"I had a really great time," she said as they walked outside the club. "You'd better call!" She poked him playfully in the chest.
"I'll do my best," he said, teasing her.
"Your best, aye?" She said, raising an eyebrow, poking him again.
He just smiled in reply. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Then he kissed her.
She was taken by surprise, but it was a good surprise. It was a soft, sweet kiss and a welcome oasis in the desert she called her love life.
She pulled away and grinned. "Now you'd really better call me."
"You can count on it," he assured her and they parted ways.
Great, she thought as she got in her car to go home. Now I can go crazy waiting for two guys to call me. Then she smiled to herself, remembering the kiss. But both well worth it.
