Chapter 32

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Martin stood in front of the full length mirror trying to adjust his bow tie. This was his fifth attempt and it still came out crooked. He untied the black silk and tried once again. It seemed that the sixth time was a charm because he was able to make it look fairly decent if not perfect. He looked over at Milo who was watching him from on top of his bed. "You're lucky to be a dog and not have to worry about this kind of stuff. No one cares what you wear." Milo just looked up at him and rolled over wanting to have his tummy rubbed.

He walked over and affectionately rubbed the dog's belly. He'd only had Milo for a week but he absolutely adored him. And judging by how Milo followed him around the house the feeling was mutual. "Okay, buddy, I have to go downstairs and make an appearance at the party." Martin rolled over and grabbed the remote to click on the TV. "Do you want Animal Planet or ESPN?" Milo gave a little bark so he put it on the sports network and said, "Good choice."

He gave the dog a final pat before heading downstairs.

Every year his parents threw a lavish New Year's Eve party and this year was no exception. Gold and silver balloons hung from the rafters, the wait staff moved throughout the room with trays lined with succulent appetizers or champagne and all the party goers were dressed to the nines.

He made the obligatory rounds at the party, stopping to chat with old friends of the family, some of the political higher ups that his parents always wanted him to know, as well as some agents he remembered from Quantico. Even though Ruby had called him early this morning to tell him she had to fly to North Dakota to help the agents there profile a possible serial killer he found himself scanning the crowd looking for her. He was really hoping she would be here tonight because he didn't want to spend this New Year's thinking about how he celebrated last year.

After they had gone for that first run together they stopped and picked up some coffee and he walked her home. Then they made a date to run again the following morning which led to dinner on Friday night. On their date they had a great dinner and strolled through the National Mall just talking. He was so comfortable around her. She was easy to talk to, funny, smart, and beautiful. She grew up in Boston but spent a lot of time in Washington once her father became a senator. They had similar background experiences in terms of class, education and socially they knew a lot of the same people. Over dinner she told him that she wanted to have a big family like the one she came from and he knew that she was great with Milo.

She was perfect for him in every single way except that she wasn't Sam.

After their date on Friday, Martin parked the car and walked her to her door. The weather was chilly and wet; the cold air stinging his face. As they approached the front door to her brownstone he couldn't help but think that Ruby looked so lovely with her cheeks pink from the frosty air, her long brown hair cascading down her back. He felt so drawn to her that before he knew how it happened he leaned in a kissed her. Ruby relaxed into the kiss and the moment seemed to stand still. He was a bundle of mixed emotions: excited, guilty, nervous, awkward, optimistic, and too many others to name. It was weird to kiss someone else after Sam. Not bad, not bad at all, just different.

Martin's cell phone rang jolting him back to the present. He pulled it out of his jacket pocket, smiled when he saw who it was and answered, "So is North Dakota in December as cold as they say?"

Ruby laughed softly and replied, "Colder. I'd be tempted to shack up with one the local deputies for the body heat except I find it difficult to get aroused by men who use words like, 'Yah' 'hon' 'you betcha' or 'darn tootin'."

"Yah, I know whatcha mean," Martin replied in his best Fargo impression.

She laughed. "How are things on the home front?"

"Oh, you know: party, party, party," Martin replied full of mirth. "It's too bad you're missing it."

She laughed. "Please, there is nothing like spending New Year's Eve at the sheriff's station in Dilworth, North Dakota. We have cold coffee and day old donuts."

This time he laughed. He wandered away from the crowd of partygoers to find someplace quiet to talk and asked, "How's the case going?"

"Too soon to tell. We were finally able to remove the body from the scene a few hours ago. Her blood caused her to freeze to the pavement so it took some time. And now I am waiting for transport so we can get her to Fargo for an autopsy. I'm just bummed that I won't be able to see you before you head back to New York."

"Yeah, me too," he said as he walked into the laundry room and shut the door behind him.

"There's always cell phones and email though right?" she said with hopefulness.

"Yes there is," he replied softly.

"Yeah? I'm sorry, hang on, Martin." He listed to muffled voices when after a few beats she came back on the line and said, "I have to go, work beckons."

"Okay, Happy New Year," he said as he leaned against the back door.

"Happy New Year," she replied before ending the call.

Martin sighed heavily and tucked the cell back into his pocket. He looked out the frost covered window so he could see the moon and, despite himself, he remembered how he spent last New Year's Eve.