A month later Sara Sidle had to admit to herself that Sanders did in fact have a thing for her, but that wasn't the worst of it. Now that she was getting to know him she began to understand this "kid" was one of the most intelligent men she'd met in years, and once he'd started to relax around her she'd been charmed by his bizarre sense of humor and boundless optimism. He flirted with a shy awkwardness she found somehow endearing, although the feelings he was stirring up were uncomfortable. On a more basic physical level, she had to admit she was drawn to him. He always smelled wonderful, and his beautiful eyes and contagious smile were magnetic. His jeans and t-shirts were ragged, and his hair stood up at odd angles (evoking the impression that perhaps he'd recently experienced electrocution), but his punk street-urchin appearance failed toquell her rebellious libido.
Colette was in full matchmaker mode now. As she sat down across from Sara she shook her head. "I noticed you looking into the DNA lab earlier."
She sighed. "Give it a rest, Colette."
"Never. You like what you see in there, don't you?" She grinned broadly. "I don't blame you. He's a real sweetheart; smart as hell, too."
"And still too young."
Colette snorted at that. "If you can date men 18 and 20 years older than you are you can at least give a chance to one who's seven years younger. "
"This is different."
"Really? How sexist."
"Co, I mean this in the nicest way, but shut up."
"You want him."
"I do not."
"Do too. You can't fool me, Sara; I've been your friend for too long. The boy fascinates you."
"Fine. Maybe I do like him, but that isn't the point."
"It IS the point. You're just too damned hard-headed to get it."
Sara shook her head. "I don't go for younger men. It wouldn't work."
"Why wouldn't it work?"
"It just wouldn't. Now drop it." And for once, she did.
"The report will be out in three minutes. "
Sara smiled nervously. "Great! I'll hang out here until it prints out."
"Good. So, what do you have planned for tomorrow night?" Greg Sanders leaned back against the table. They were on the same schedule; she knew that because he worked every day she did.
She shrugged. "Nothing special. Laundry maybe."
He grinned. "Would you, um, would you like to go to dinner, maybe catch a movie? With me, I mean."
She really intended to say no. She had her mouth set to say it, but then she looked into his eyes and saw hope mixed with adoration, all for her, and suddenly the word 'no' was gone and she was smiling right back. "I'd like that," she whispered. "I really would."