Yes, I know, it's been far too long since I've updated this story. My apologies. I'm coming out of a dry spell. Almost, I think. Anyway, here's a tiny bit more to whet your appetite and make you ask me for more!
:oP Nevermind

It was days before I heard from Danny or even Aiden again. They got wrapped up in processing a brutal murder case. Aiden didn't even come home to sleep.

There was a lot for me to do to amuse myself, but on the third day I decided to swing by the labs to at least make sure they were still alive. Mac met me in the reception area.

"How is she?" I asked him.

"Aiden? Oh, she's all right. Bleary eyed and cranky, but not nearly as bitchy as Danny is."

I laughed. "She hasn't even come home to sleep," I told him.

"Not surprised. She's obsessive about solving cases, I'll give her that."

"You're not involved in this one?" I asked.

"No. Stella and I just wrapped a case. I'm doing my 'supervisor' thing now."

"So would you have time to go for lunch with me then?"

He grinned. "I'd like that."

I took Mac's arm and caught sight of Danny coming around the corner, a displeased look on his face at the sight of Mac and I. Good, I thought. Two can play this game, sweetheart.

Mac took me to a sweet little restaurant a few blocks away from the lab. I couldn't help but think that if I weren't so hot for Danny, I could easily fall for this older man. He was so gentle and kind and funny and interesting. We talked about our lives and I carefully sidestepped any mention of his late wife.

I did not sidestep flirting with him, however. I knew I was gonna get myself in trouble, but I couldn't help it. Older New York men are even better at improving my mood than younger New York men. Good lord, I'm easy.

Our meals were finished and we were sipping on lattes when our conversation fell into a comfortable silence.

"Thank you," Mac said, breaking it.

I looked at him quizzically. "For what?"

"For stroking my ego," he said.

I laughed. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "You didn't have to pretend to flirt with me."

"Who says I was pretending?" I asked.

This time he looked at me quizzically. "I thought you were interested in Danny."

"Ah," I said, "But I am on the rebound, you see, and am permitted to flirt with whomever I choose, whenever I choose."

He chuckled. "I feel like a dirty old man."

"Why? Because you're attracted to me? Don't be silly. I'm making it almost impossible for you to feel any other way." I smiled at him. "You underestimate yourself, Mac. You're a very attractive person. But I can see that you're bordering on becoming uncomfortable so I promise you I will do nothing to push you over that edge."

He smiled appreciatively at me. I think he was starting to think that he might get himself in trouble too.

"Besides," I reassured him, "I usually find flirting is most fun when it's never consummated. Far less risk involved, if you catch my meaning."

He nodded. "I do catch your meaning. Thank you for understanding my position."

"Don't mention it. Besides, I would hate to become the CSI girlfriend, as tempting as that is."

He laughed out loud. "Somehow, you don't strike me as someone who would have the capacity for that."

"No? Why not?" I was curious to know.

"You're far too self-aware and you read people too well. You'd make a good CSI."

"Thank you," I told him sincerely. "But if I became a CSI, you'd be my boss and then we couldn't flirt like this anymore."

"You do have a point," he said. The waiter came with our bill and he took it before I had a chance to reach out and grab it. "No, no. This one's on me."