Timing is Everything
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Chapter 24
Although Lee and Amanda were excited to be leaving Wellington Estate, their drive back wasn't perfect. They talked about mundane things like Lee's fish tank or her boys, but in the back of Amanda's mind, she wondered if their relationship had taken a turn for the better, or not.
After all, the trip had proven to her that he felt an attraction to her as well.
The last stretch of miles was driven in silence. Amanda continued staring out the window on the passenger side, wondering what Lee was thinking.
They were going down one of the long winding roads back home when Amanda suddenly yelled out, "Pull over! There! Over there!"
His eyes widened at her abrupt exclamation, "What? What's the matter?"
Lee immediately veered to the side of the road and threw his car in park and turned off the engine.
"So what's wrong?" he alarmingly asked, "Did you see something threatening on the road?"
She shook her head, "No."
"Did you suddenly remember that you forgot something?"
"No."
"Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes."
"Then what the hell is up with you making me stop like that?"
"I..." she swallowed, and then worked up her nerve, "I just wanted to talk with you about us and not have you distracted by the road..."
She relaxed once the words were out.
But Lee looked agitated, "What? THAT'S why you caused me to almost hit a tree?"
"But you didn't, did you? And even if you had, I could have simply explained to the insurance company that the tree had swerved into you!"
"A-man-da..."
"Okay. Okay. You wanted to know why I stopped you." She took a deep breath in, "Lee, you can't pretend this weekend didn't happen."
Lee looked incredulous, "Whoever said nothing happened this weekend?!"
"No, I didn't mean that this weekend didn't happen-"
"But you just said-"
She looked upwards, wondering why men took things so literal, "Lee! Just listen! What I meant was, you can't pretend nothing happened between us!"
"Oh."
He sat speechless.
But she wouldn't let the subject drop as she tilted her head, "So? What did the weekend mean for us?"
The last thing Lee wanted to talk about on a lonely stretch of road was a relationship. He awkwardly ran his fingers through his hair.
"Ah geez, Amanda," he asked, "you really want to talk about this now? In the middle of nowhere?"
"Yes, because once we get back to work, I know we will only talk about work," she determinedly responded, and then looked at him tentatively, "Is there something between us?"
Lee stared straight ahead, "Once again, you've caught me off guard. I need time to think."
"Time's up."
He showed a slight grin then became contemplative, "Alright. Hmmm...then I would have to say...that maybe...maybe, with a slight leaning towards yes...something did happen between us."
She leaned in, "And?"
"And...um, we seemed to have some chemistry between us..."
Optimism showed in her eyes, "And?"
Lee paused. Being the playboy that he was, he suddenly panicked.
"And... the thing is...I have chemistry with a lot of women!"
Amanda's hopeful face fell. She sat back in her seat and folded her arms.
"Okay. I get it, Lee. I'm just one of many. I understand. You can drive me home now."
Lee regretted the words the minute he uttered them, but it was too late. He just felt so awkward, so confused.
"Amanda-"
"No, Lee, you've made your point," she regretfully stated with pursed lips, "Let's go."
He seemed to want to continue, but instead, heaved a frustrated sigh and started up the engine, "Look, Amanda, I didn't mean to sound so...impersonal-"
"-and don't forget pompous," she reminded him, "with a dash of flippant thrown in as well!"
"Whatever! Anyway, it's not like this talk you wanted to talk about was utmost on my mind!"
"Oh, so you haven't given us any thought? I feel SO much better!"
He turned off the engine again.
"No, that's not what I meant, Amanda. Not it at all. It's not that I've never thought about us... of course I thought about us. It's true that something DID happen between us back there...and...and even though that happened, we don't seem to have the timing; you know what I mean?"
With her arms still folded, she peered over his way, "Timing?"
"Yes, timing! Our lifestyles are so different, including our dating and relationship outlook! And you've just ended it with Dean so don't you need time to... you know, take a breather from a relationship?"
Amanda thought over what he said. Perhaps he had a point.
After all, it wasn't too long ago when she divorced Joe and later began dating Dean. And then the breakup with Dean occurred just a few days ago. Perhaps it was too soon, and like Mother always told her, All good things worth having take time.
She uncrossed her arms and sounded uncertain, "...Perhaps you've got a point there..."
"...and remember, we do work together, and so many things could go wrong with that," he quickly argued, "are you willing to risk our working relationship?"
She thought long-termed,"Well, there is that to consider, …."
Lee could see he was wearing her down, "Let's just take it one day at a time, okay?"
Amanda was silent as she stared straight ahead.
Lee tentatively asked, "Amanda?"
She turned to face him, "Lee, can we stop at a diner or something? I'm starving," she admitted, "What about you?"
Lee looked relieved. One thing great about Amanda was that she was flexible, "Yeah, that Chubby Chewy bar didn't fill me up either! So...are we still partners?" He took out his hand for a handshake, "And I promise not to be so grumpy."
"We are the best of partners," Amanda happily agreed, as she stuck out her hand, "And I promise I will try harder to stay out of trouble...or at least not do it so often in front of you!"
"Deal."
"Deal."
They shook hands.
Instantly, he felt a wave of desire wash over him.
At the same time, she felt her heart whirling.
So they instantly ended the shake and stared out opposite windows again.
####
It was morning of the next day and Lee was one of the first ones at his desk. It wasn't that he loved to do desk work. On the contrary, the only thing he liked doing at his desk was drinking coffee or reading the morning paper. He was doing both now, but nothing in the headlines caught his attention. He hoped Billy would send him on a mission today.
"Good morning, Lee!"
Lee peeked out from his newspaper, and there stood Amanda, bright and cheery as always. He was pleased. It really was like starting off his morning with a little sunshine in his life.
Lee folded up his paper so he could give her his full attention.
"Morning, Amanda! And what brings you to my desk so early in the day?" he pleasantly asked.
Her eyes twinkled, "I have something for you."
"You don't say," Lee stated with interest while trying to peer around her.
"I DO say," she stated, while at the same time plopping a Chewy Chubby Candy Bar on his desk.
"I owe you one...in case you ever needed cheering up," she explained.
He smiled as he picked up the bar, "Well, thank you, Amanda," he gallantly stated. He was about to say more when he heard footsteps as Francine walked up to them.
"Well, well, what have we here?" Francine asked them, "Amanda, are you giving away free candy bars now?"
"They do say 9 out of 10 people love chocolate, Francine," Amanda politely commented.
"Yeah, well, I think the 10th person is a liar," Francine noted.
Lee then asked, "Francine, did you come over to my desk just to bug us?"
Francine stood taller, "Certainly not! I came here to ask if either of you heard the juicy news about..." she looked covertly looked about before continuing, "... Ex-Senator Olivia Wellington!"
"Hmmmm," Lee pondered, "That name DOES sound vaguely familiar." He then gave a quick wink to Amanda as Francine narrowed her eyes.
"Olivia Wellington sounds vaguely familiar to you?" Francine incredulously repeated as she put her hand on her hip, "Lee, didn't you used to work for her?"
Lee feigned surprise, "Oh, ohhhh, that Olivia Wellington! Why didn't you say so? What about her?"
It was hard for Amanda to keep a straight face.
Francine leaned in, as if she were telling Lee and Amanda a secret, "You didn't hear it from me, BUT there's news circulating around DC that Ex-Senator Wellington has been arrested!"
Amanda couldn't even look at Lee as she faked surprise, "Noooo, really? That IS juicy news, Francine! Do you have any more details?"
Francine was enjoying this, "Welll, I don't like to brag..."
"-yeah, you do!" Lee interrupted, as she gave him a look of disdain.
"-Anyway, as I was saying," Francine continued in a secretive tone, "I don't like to brag, but I found out that Olivia Wellington has been arrested on a murder charge, as well as an attempted murder charge!"
Amanda looked appropriately awed and appalled, "Oh my gosh! How ever did you find out about this, Francine?"
"You know me," Francine arrogantly told her, "I always have the inside scoop on fascinating news!"
"Too bad no one cares!" Lee commented.
"You're just jealous that I know something you don't!" countered Francine.
"Yeah, you might be right, and this piece of news is so shocking!" Lee emphasized the word, as he put his hand against his side, pretending that he was being tasered at the word 'shocking'. To which Amanda chuckled.
Francine gave him a sour look, "WHAT are you doing, Lee? What was that gesture you just did over there?"
"Don't mind him, Francine," Amanda assured her. Then making her eyes huge, she asked, "Are you sure the facts are true about the Senator? Is your source reliable?"
"Oh, my source is solid, I assure you," she informed Amanda, "I used to actually date the brother of the office manager to Ex-Senator Wellington!"
"It's like you're right there at the Wellington mansion!" Lee pointedly told her.
Francine gave him a scowl, "Alright, Mr. Hot Shot! Any of YOUR people, or should I say your women have any knowledge to add to this considerable news?"
He shrugged, "Not much. Just that the arrest happened this weekend and allegedly the murder weapon was a taser and a scarf for strangling the victim. Oh! And the victim happened to be her maid who was blackmailing her due to Olivia being financially broke."
Francine just stared at him.
"You're just pulling facts from the air," she surmised.
"I just hope Senator Wellington's son is alright," Amanda casually added to them both, "being that he ran away with a dental hygienist and all."
"What about her daughter in law?" Lee added, "it must make Olivia feel worse that her daughter-in-law is in the hospital AND charged with attempted murder as well!"
"I know. So sad, Lee," Amanda agreed, "And the Senator must be beside herself knowing that her other son is ready to start divorce proceedings."
"Yeah, she just can't get a break, can she?" Lee concluded, "and the latest is that her daughter has gone on a shopping spree to deal with all the stress. Of course, it's just a rumor. I should really verify this with Francine's excellent source."
He looked over at a perturbed Francine.
"Okay, I get it. I know exactly what you two are doing!" she claimed.
Lee looked innocent, "Oh? And what's that?"
She confidently stated, "You are both talking utter nonsense in an effort to get rid of me!"
"Did it work?" Lee asked.
"Hmmph! That's the last time I share my secret knowledge with you two!" Francine haughtily told them, as she stomped away.
After Francine left, Amanda looked guilty, "Do you think we were too hard on her?"
"No way! That woman is constantly taking too many doses of Vitamin Me!" Lee claimed.
They exchanged smiles.
Amanda then asked, "Do you think we'll ever tell her the truth...that we were actually at the Senator Wellington's Estate when all that went down?"
"Nah, I like when Karma slaps her in the face."
"You would!" Amanda smiled, and then with nothing else to say, she began clumsily with, "Anyway, I do have a lot of work on my desk..."
But Lee wasn't ready to let her go just yet, "Wait, Amanda, before you go, there's something I need to say to you."
Amanda was intrigued.
"Sure. Go ahead, Lee."
He showed no expression, but underneath his desk, his leg was shaking, "I think you should sit down for this."
She looked perplexed but did as he instructed and sat down with hands in her lap. Waiting.
Lee seemed to struggle with his words, "So, the reason I wanted to talk to you is...uh, it's about... that talk we had about timing and all..."
She waved that idea aside, "It's okay, Lee. I understand. Maybe it's for the best. At least we got to investigate a case together."
"True."
Amanda then added, "And the highlight for me was when you recited poetry!"
His forehead furrowed, "I recited poetry? When did I do that?
She sounded indignant, "Lee Stetson, don't you DARE say that you never recited, "Ships that Pass" to me on a moonlit night!"
Lee looked cautiously around the busy bullpen, "Amanda! Shhhh! I have a reputation to maintain!"
She leaned forward and stated in a quieter tone, "You can't deny that you did do that, Lee!"
"Alright, maybe I did, but I had a reason!"
She looked unconvinced, "Oh, really? And what reason would that be?"
He cleared his throat, "Because...it's the only way I can get my feelings across...to you."
The room stilled. Amanda's eyes became round as Lee stared off beyond her and began reciting:
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes...
Afterwards, his expression was one of calmness and certainty as his eyes bore into hers. For Amanda, the room had faded away and she felt like Victoria Greenwich as he finished reciting the Lord Byron poem.
"Amanda," he admitted in a raspy tone, "I know you don't see it in yourself, but when I see you, I see the most fascinating, most beautiful person I know."
A nervous, excited quiver went through Amanda at his words before reality clicked back in. Could she have possibly misinterpreted his intentions?
"You see me as fascinating? And beautiful?" She hoped against hope, "but Lee...the timing thing..."
He looked down at the desk as if searching for the right words. Then he looked up at her, "You are fascinating and beautiful, Amanda. Everyone saw it but me. Until now. I don't know why I've been pushing you away for so long. And about the timing thing. You've made me realize that there will never be a 'right time'. There is only time itself and what I choose to do with it. And I choose to spend it with you, if you'll allow me to."
Amanda's throat went dry. Her heart felt like bursting at his words, but she still was a loss for words at his startling admission.
"Amanda?" his eyes was questioning at her nonresponse, "Are you going to say anything back to me? I know I'm not perfect, and it's not always going to be easy dealing with me, but I guarantee you, it'll be worth it. At least I hope so."
She smiled, "You're rambling."
It was his turn to look to appear indignant, "Am not! It's just that...uh, I have a lot to say, is all."
"So are you done talking?" Amanda patiently asked.
"I don't know," he honestly answered, "It depends. Can we discuss it at dinner tonight? How does 7 sound?"
Amanda's heart leaped with joy, but she managed to answer with a subdued, "Perfect."
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The End.
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