She woke up at 7, nervous.She couldn't explain why she felt this way, but she was very on edge. She decided to brush her concerns away, and get ready for work. It was going to be a long day.

She walked into the office and sat down. She needed to talk to her boss. She wanted to find out more about her date. He obviously knew him well, so he could tell her what he was like. She made her way across the hall and softly knocked on the door.

" Come In." He looked up at her and smiled." Reba, what can I help you with."

"Well. I was thinking maybe you could tell me more about your Dr friend."

"Oh. Yes. Well, he was one of my best friends in high school. I haven't seen him in years. It was a surprise to see him here again. He seems a bit different than when I last saw him, but who doesn't change when they get out of high school."

"So he is a good guy?"

"He was the best. May I ask why you are giving me the third degree about him?"

"He ask me out. I'm just a little nervous is all."

"Ahh. Well I can assure you Reba he was a great guy. Like I said it has been a while since I saw him last, but he was my best friend."

"Thanks Dave."

"Anytime Reba. Anything else I can help you with?"

"No. I'm going to get back to work."

"My door is always open."

She closed the door and went back to her office. Though she couldn't completely shake the nervousness, it did ease somewhat. Her phone dinged and picked it up from its place on her desk.

"I can't wait to see you tonight."

She looked at the number on the phone and didn't recognize it. " Good lord Brock. How many phones are you going to get this year."

She rolled her eyes. She lay her phone on the table and turned her computer on. She needed to hurry up with this day.

It was just midway through the work day when a call disturbed her from her work trance.

"Reba Hart's office, How May I help you?"

" You could start by meeting me for lunch."

"I'm not meeting you for lunch Brock."

"Why not Reba. It isn't going to kill you to have lunch with me."

" I don't want to."

" Too damn bad, I'm outside your office door. I'm picking you up and taking you to lunch."

" Don't just stand there you Moron. Open the front and come on in." She hung up the phone and looked at Brock.

" I thought you said you couldn't wait to see me tonight. Why see me now if you were going to see me later."

" What are you talking about Reba?"

"Your text. From your new phone."

" I didn't send a text Reba, and I sure as hell didn't get a new phone."

"Then who? Don't lie to me Brock. It isn't funny. "

"Maybe Dr jackass sent it."

"For your Info, I didn't give Dr jackass my number. Now hand me your phone. I know you sent the message."

" I'm telling you Reba. I did not send you a text."

"Phone Brock, or I will refuse to go to lunch with you."

"Fine. You want it. Here it's yours." She looked down at the phone. It wasn't new. It was his usual cell phone. She opened the settings and pulled up his number. When she looked at her phone she realized he wasn't lying. He didn't send it. Her anxiety was through the roof. How did anyone get her cellphone number. Sure she had a work cell, but this was her personal cell that only the kids and Brock had the number to. " See. I don't send a text. What text are you even taking about anyway." She handed his phone back and reach him hers.

"You probably gave it to your date when you were swooning over him in your office."

"I was not swooning over him, and I never have him my number."

"Reba. Who knows. He's a Dr. it's not like he's a serial killer. You have been out of the dating game too long. " he handed her phone to her and grabbed his own. He began typing.

" Who are you texting?"

"Our daughter." He read the reply message from Cheyenne. " Cheyenne gave Him your number. The night at the restaurant. She never told you cause she knew you would freak out."

" Why would she do that?" She sighed. " She knows I do not like to give my number to anyone."

" Reba. Aren't you over reacting a bit. She just wanted to find you someone." Jealousy coursed through his veins as soon as the words left his mouth.

" You are right. She just wants me to find happiness. I just got a little weirded out when it wasn't you who texted me."

"So you were glad that I couldn't wait to see you tonight, but when you found out it was him you were weirded out?" He looked at her smugly.

" That is not what I'm saying."

"Then what are you saying?"

"Will you just shut up and take me to lunch." He decided to let it drop, but he wasn't going to let her off the hook so easily.

"We shall resume this conversation later." He led her out the door and into the parking lot. She never noticed the man standing outside her office building, or the camera he held in his hand. She never heard the words he whispered as she closed the door to Brock's car.

"Soon my love..."

...

" Where are you taking me?"

" The park."

" Where is the food? You promised lunch."

"Patience Reba. If you had bothered to look at your surroundings, you'd have noticed the basket in the back seat."

"A picnic? You brought me out for a picnic."

"You don't sound too happy."

" I thought we would get Pizza, Italian, or something fast food."

"What's the fun in that?"

"Carbs! That's the fun in that. You probably have cold cut sandwiches and sad jello." She teased.

" Ye of little faith. " he laughed. "If you must know, I have some Burgers and French Fries. I know youd kill me if I had brought a bologna sandwich and jello."

"Ketchup?"

"Heinz. Just as you like." She smiled.

"Maybe you aren't such a moron after all."

"Always such a charmer aren't you Reba." At that they both laughed.

" Looks like we are here. Grab the blanket and I'll get the basket." She retrieved the red and white checkered blanket from the back and watched as he retrieved the basket. Her phone buzzing brought her out of her trance.

"Hello. Hello?" There was no answer on the other line.

"Who was that?"

"Must have been a wrong number." She walked toward Brock and followed as he led them to a secluded place by a large tree. She sat down beside him and helped retrieve the food from the basket. "Thank you Brock. I don't know if I said that or not but I do appreciate lunch."

" You didn't, but you didn't have to thank me. I know you appreciated it. I know you Reba. You might be tough sometimes, but I would worry if you wasn't." He laughed.

" I'm not that much of a hard ass." She slapped him playfully."Not a word." She knew the retort about to slip from his tongue and she stopped him before he could say it.

"I'm not saying anything." He three his hands up in defense. They ate their food in mostly silence. It was when Reba looked up she noticed Brock had ketchup on his face. She didn't know what came over her, but she wanted to play a little game of cat and mouse.

" Brock. You have ketchup on your face." He went to wipe it with a napkin but her hand stopped him." Here let me get it." She surprised him. She scooted closer to him, and gave him a wink. He had no idea what she was going to do until he felt her tongue lightly graze the corner of his mouth, and her lips enclose at the same spot.

" All gone. " She backed up to her spot and acted as though nothing had happened. He realized the game she was playing. She wanted to tease him. They had always loved to tease one another and see which one would break first. She wanted to play, he was a willing opponent. He would have to repay her later tonight. He knew she was going to be on a date, but if everything worked as planned, so would he. He knew they only had a little while longer before they had to be back to work so he knew he had to make every minute count. Soon all that could be heard was laughter as they got lost in conversation.

.…….…

"There is no need to walk me inside Brock."

"I insist. Besides, I still have a few minutes."

"Fine. Lead on moron." She laughed. "See what I did there.." She laughed and slapped him playfully.

"Very clever." He opened the door and led her into the building and down the hall to her office. As she stepped inside he closed the door and watched her as she crossed the room and laid her purse on her desk. She didn't hear him come up behind her, and never knew what hit her when he whirled her around, crashing his mouth to hers.She felt herself collide with her desk as he led her backwards, assaulting her mouth with his. Just as he was about to place her on the desk a knock interrupted them.

They broke apart just in time as Van came barreling in.

"Mrs H. I can't... Oh hey Mr H. Didn't know you stopped by."

"Trying to sell the condo.Remember?"

"Right.."

"Anyways. Mrs H. I can't get this to send to the bank. The Watsons want to buy the McClanes house, but I can't get this to fax."

"I can do it Van."

" Thanks." He turned to leave but stopped just before he opened the door. "By the way Mr H. That lipstick matches your eyes." He laughed and exited just as Reba threw a notebook at him. Abruptly the door opened again. "I won't tell Cheyenne."

"Out Van."

"Ok.ok." He closed the door behind himself and Brock turned to Reba.

"I should get back to the office. I guess we will be seeing each other tonight. "

"Yes. Tonight." She laughed. "Before you leave Brock, you might want to remove that lipstick."

"Right." She handed him a tissue and made sure he got it all.

"See you Reba."

"See you Brock. Thanks for lunch. I had a great time."

"Anytime. Maybe next time I'll get off 1st base."

"You are encourageable." She slapped him on the shoulder as he exited.