2 days later

'I don't know. He seems genuine.' Nell said.

'I guess. Maybe I'm just too paranoid.' Hetty replied, trying to decide what to wear.

'Look, you 2 always looked um, complicated at work. The fact that he wants to try and make things right, definitely says something.'

'We've known each other for decades. I, suppose a part of me has always loved him. But losing him really hurt, and with trying to readjust after almost dying overseas, it all seems a bit much.'

'And now you've got a 2nd chance with him. Seems like fate to me.' Nell said, enjoying herself.

Hetty chuckled. 'How many of those romance books have you read, Miss Jones?'

'Quite a lot. Look, It's okay to feel scared about trying to open yourself up again. But given that you agreed to have dinner with him, and that you clearly can't decide what to wear, looks like a part of you really wants to try.'

(Smiling). 'Have you always been this wise about love?' Hetty asked.

'Well, watching 2 agents fall in love kind of helped.'

'And, why can't I decide what to wear?! Owen has seen me in these suits a hundred times, and I can't decide what to wear?!'

Nell chuckled. 'I think that means you want to impress him, which is so cute! Personally, I'd go with the red. You always look good in red!'

At dinner

'You look beautiful.' Granger said.

'Thanks. Nell helped me pick it out. I actually couldn't decide what to wear, if you can believe it. (chuckle).' Hetty replied, kind of awkwardly.

'Well, that was nice of her. How are you doing?'

'Well, some days are better then others. Nate says it's normal. Oh yeah, I'm seeing Nate. As a patient and not like in a serious way. (Awkward laugh).'

The rest of the evening was pretty awkward. Hetty got so mortified she asked to leave early.

Granger could see how embarrassed she looked, so he offered to walk her to her door.

'It wasn't that bad.' He said, trying to lighten the mood.

'You kidding me? I sounded awful! We've known each other for how many years, now suddenly I can't even talk to you?! What's wrong with me?!' Hetty exclaimed.

'Nothing, nothing! Frankly, I found it pretty cute that you were that desperate to impress me.'

'What do you mean?'

'Well, you needed advice on what to wear, which never happens. You sounded really awkward, which I don't think I've ever seen from you. Kim says that when women act like that, it means they're really trying to impress someone.' Granger replied.

'Does that apply when the same woman wants so badly for her best friend to see her as the same woman he knew before he left and not as some PTSD victim who needs to be comforted at every corner?'

Looking surprised. 'Hetty, I would never think of you like that.'

'You sure? Everyone says that they're not looking at me like I'm some kind of victim, except I don't really believe them! I've been through a ot of terrible things, yet I'm still the same person that I was before it happened! Why does everyone think I'm about to crack?!' Hetty rambled.

Right after realizing she rambled again, Hetty ran right inside and sat down in front of the fireplace.

'I'm such a mess!' She cried.

'You're not. You're just, trying to sort some things out.' Granger replied, trying to help.

'What's there to sort out?! Like, why do I need to sort anything out? Why am I acting like this?!'

Giving her a hug. 'Shh shh sh. Just take it easy.'

Not wanting to leave her alone, Granger stayed in the guest room that night. And the next day, he saw her sitting in front of the fireplace with her tea.

'Feeling better?'

'For now. But who knows how long it'll be before I embarrass myself again.' Hetty cynically replied.

'I get what you're feeling. I've been through trauma before, and it can feel pretty scary not feeling like yourself. You were betrayed and almost died, it's very easy to still be hurting over it. And yes, it's okay to act awkward with an old friend.'

'It's not just that. Another reason why I got so nervous is, I didn't think you'd like seeing a damaged goods version of me.'

Leaning over to squeeze her hand. 'You are not, and will never be damaged goods to me, Henrietta.'

Feeling overcome by emotions, Hetty did the most impulsive thing ever, and gave him a huge kiss!

And when she did, it felt like time had stood still, like nothing else mattered. It felt like the greatest romance song of all time was thundering through the air on repeat. It felt like, magic.

Endnote: Bet you didn't see this ending coming! :)