The ride home was silent except for a few words exchanged about how neither of them had seen the other so free. When they arrived at Kate's apartment, it was quite obvious to Tony that she would need assistance making it to the door. Instinctively, he slipped an arm around her waist, guiding her up the stairs. When in front of her door, she turned to face him, her eyes still averted looking down at her keys.
"Thanks for dinner," Kate said, looking up into his eyes, "I needed it."
"I know," Tony said, "that's what I'm here for, someone to take you out when you're bored out of your mind."
"Oh come on Tony, don't say that…" she said, playfully hitting him in the arm, "you're one of the best friends I've got right now."
"You too…" Tony whispered, kissing her lightly on the forehead. He looked in her eyes and the butterflies he'd felt earlier that night came fluttering back. Without thinking he dipped his head down and caught her lips in a soft kiss. As soon as it happened, he was shocked back to reality and pulled away.
"Kate…I'm sorry…" he began but was silenced; surprised to find that she'd felt the same the whole time. He felt her hands slide around his neck and play with the ends of his hair; every touch making him feel lightheaded. Her scent was intoxicating, every second that passed the more he craved it. With every touch Kate felt a fire re-ignite within that she'd suppressed many years ago. As time passed her knees grew weaker and weaker; he was like an addiction she never knew she needed.
"Now that's a way to say goodnight…" Tony said brushing the hair away that had fallen in Kate's face. He pulled her close; kissing her cheek quickly. They stood there holding each other for what seemed like an eternity; Tony backed away first taking both her hands in his and squeezing them gently.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he said.
"See you…" she said, unlocking her door and stepping in.
Tony drove back to his house on autopilot; unable to stop the night from replaying in his mind. He remembered how she looked when he pulled up to her building, and more than anything he remembered what it felt like to hold her close. Suddenly he felt her feather-light touches again and the butterflies rushed back. The thought of this happening had crossed his mind, but he always figured nothing could, would or should happen; until he discovered she'd been thinking the same way the whole time. He smiled to himself remembering the look in her eyes; she'd managed to look happy and confused at the same time. He walked through his apartment, heading straight to bed; he could hardly wait to go to work the next morning.