Remember this
A/N: *nervous chuckle* I was not expecting such an overwhelming response. Awesome. As promised: the second chapter. And let's not forget; a big thanks to everyone who follows/favourites/reviews, you're the best! Now, I'll try not to screw this up.
Disclaimer: This took me caffeine, sleep deprived nights and rain to be accomplished. Marlowe does not have such problems- hopefully.
''Have you gotten your grade back yet?'' Kate visibly stiffened and immediately fished her cell phone out of her pocket.
''Actually, they were supposed to be up a couple of hours ago. I can't believe I forgot about that.''
''Well, you've been under a lot of stress honey, it's quite normal that you forget small things.'' Her mom tried to reason. At least her mom understood that she was under a lot of stress lately.
''This isn't something small mom, if I fail this one - They will kick me out of college.'' She opened her browser and opened the school site, which had an application for grades. She sat down while she waited for the site to load. Damn internet!
''And once again I would like to tell you that you've done just fine and you won't get kicked out of college.''
''We'll see.'' She shook her phone, hoping it would load faster. ''Come on you stupid piece of-'
'''Katherine!'' Johanna said quickly with a warning tone.
''Sorry.'' She mumbled. Finally the page loaded and revealed her grades. She scrolled down quickly in search of her most recent ones. ''I-''
''You what? Did you make it?''
''I made it.'' She said with disbelief on her face. Johanna launched herself of the chair and wrapped Kate in a tight hug. ''I got a B.''
''That's great honey. I'm so proud of you.'' She tucked Kate's hair behind her ear. ''Don't you ever forget that.''
''Jo, we need you.'' She heard her husband yell from the main floor. She let Kate go slowly, much to her dismay and gave her a kiss on her cheek before leaving in search of her husband.
Kate sighed. The nightmare was over, her place at college was secured for now. At least for another year. She grabbed the empties glasses from the table and made her way to the kitchen. There was another room next to the kitchen, for the employees to rest and have some quiet time. It was nice to have a quiet spot from where the people couldn't see them. Usually she sat there with her mother, her dad not really giving himself a break. Someone has to keep eyes on the business, he'd always said with a smirk.
The kitchen was busy and she could see her dad washing plates. With his hands. Unusual was an understatement.
''What happened?''
''Dishwasher broke. Again.'' He mumbled.
She groaned. ''Oh, you've got to be kidding me.''
He shrugged. ''Wish I was.''
''Can I help you?''
''No, but if you could please keep an eye out on the bar that would be great.''
''I'm on it.'' She walked back to the dinner area and looked for her mom. Looks like she was serving tonight. Full house.
It had been a while since the place was packed and she couldn't help it but think that maybe things were going to get better from now on. She had to admit that it was a wonderful feeling and something she hadn't felt in a while. Kate grabbed a tray while passing the bar and started making her round.
It was then that she saw a familiar face.
''Kate!'' He said with a surprised look on his face as he tried to get his hand back from his date. ''How are you?''
''Great, I could be asking you the same.'' She replied with a sarcastic undertone.
''Do you two know each other?'' The girl asked no one in particular.
''Yes.'' Rick admitted at the same time Kate said. ''No.''
She looked between the two of them. ''Okay... so which one is it?''
''He comes here to annoy me.'' Kate mumbled while looking at her notepad. ''So, how can I help you? Would you like something to drink?''
''Yes, I'll have some red wine please.'' Kate checked the girl's white dress and she couldn't help it but find it daring - next to the fact that it barely covered her ass though. She raised her brows in surprise that he would hang out with such a girl.
''Red wine for the lady and for you sir?''
He cleared his throat. ''Um, yes, could you give us a bottle?''
''Coming right up.''
''Kate. Wait-'' he tried, but she'd already walked away.
Kate had to refrain herself from slamming the empty tray on the bar as she walked by it. Well, the good mood lasted long enough, she told herself.
''Wow, hey - hold up a second.'' Johanna said, pulling Kate back into the kitchen. ''What happened?''
''Richard Castle happened.''
Johanna turned around to check out the floor. ''Really? He came back?''
''Yes, with his date.'' She spat.
Johanna's look immediately softened. ''Oh. Do I detect some jealousy, Kate?''
''The guy gave me his phone number and then turns up with a date at my restaurant.''
''Technically it's still my restaurant, dear.''
Kate chuckled. ''Anyway, I never intended on calling him and now I never will.''
''I wouldn't be so sure about that.'' She motioned towards the wine bottle. ''Is that for them?'' Kate nodded. ''Okay, let me handle it.''
She sighed. ''Thanks mom.''
''Just take a break, read something, take a drink, I'll keep an eye on the floor.'' Kate smiled at her in appreciation and then left to follow her mother's advice. She let herself drop in the chair and grabbed the book her mom had left on the table. In a Hail of Bullets by Richard Castle.
Oh. That's just- Cruel.
She threw the book across the table and watched it with a murderous look on her face. As if that would help though.
She had never actually read his books before, but her mom wouldn't shut up about it and that was before she even knew that it was the guy she had met last week.
After a little while, curiosity got the best of her and she reached for the book once again. She opened it on the first page and started reading. Hm. Not that bad. Crime wasn't usually what she would read for fun, but it was nice for a change. Within a couple of minutes she'd read the first twenty pages and she just couldn't put it away. That was until her mother came to pull her off her cloud.
''Castle just spilled wine all over his date and she walked away angrily, yelling at him. Massive scene. You should've seen it, it was great.'' Johanna liked the guy, but pulling a trick like this on her girl was just wrong.
Kate put her hand in front of her mouth to keep herself from laughing out loud. Serves him right.
She went back to her book and Johanna walked away, still laughing. She stopped laughing however when the door opened and showed Castle standing there.
''Hi- uh, I know this is a little inappropriate, but I was wondering if you have a towel or something that I can clean myself up with. I'd rather not walk back to Soho looking as if I just murdered someone.'' He said with an apologetic smile, looking sheepishly.
''Sure, why don't you sit down. I'll be right back.''
Kate shot her a glare but Johanna ignored it. She left the room and Kate turned back to her book. He sat down on the chair next to her, trying to read the book cover, but she put her hand over it.
He swallowed and scraped his throat. ''Listen- I'm sorry.''
''For what?'' She said, not looking up.
''For uh- giving you the wrong idea.''
''Oh no, please explain.'' Sarcasm was spilling from her mouth.
''Do I look like I give a random girl my phone number?''
A beat. ''Yes.''
''Yes, I suppose I do look like that.'' He shook his head, stupid imago. ''I like you Kate... You're so unique.'' He sighed. He'd fucked up already, just great Castle. ''And now it looks like I'm a cheater, which I'm not. I'm not in any way interested in that girl, I lost a bet with my friend and he made me go out with her as a dare. She'd picked the restaurant. Nothing else.''
''And you're telling me this because?''
''Well, I'd still like to go out with you if you want to. I know that your exam week is over.''
''I'm sorry Castle, but I'm not sure if I want to go out with a guy like you.''
''Ah, so you found out about that.'' He was sort of surprised she hadn't figured it out earlier. She held up the book she was reading. ''That's my first book. Do you like it?''
''It's okay actually, I didn't think I would like it but it caught my attention.''
''Really?''
''Yes, Castle, why would I lie to you?''
''I didn't imply that.''
''Yes, you did.''
''I- I'm sorry.'' He tried. ''I just- I'm not used to this.'' He said getting a little frustrated with himself, he was screwing this up. Immensely.
''Used to what?''
He laughed to himself. ''Well, I actually like you but you won't even talk to me. I'm not used to uh - talking with someone who gives me a hard time.''
''You like me?'' She said with disbelieve.
''Yeah.''
''But you've only met me once- well, twice if you include today.'' Yes, he had only met her twice. He was surprised that she wasn't freaking out over him.
''At least go out to dinner with me sometime.''
''Castle, I work in a restaurant, what I really want after a long day is going out for dinner.'' She replied sarcastically. Right. Stupid.
''How about coffee, we could get some coffee?''
She thought for a second, putting the book down and closing it. ''Okay. I can do coffee.'' She agreed.
''Great.'' He said, an adorable smile on his face. She'd made him work for it, but hey, he knew she was worth it. ''How's your schedule?''
''I have to work the afternoon shift tomorrow, so I'll be done by four. The rest of the week is a nightmare when it comes to free hours. I have to cover for another employee.'' She explained.
''Okay, I'll meet you here tomorrow?''
She nodded. ''Okay.''
''Okay.'' He repeated, still smiling.
Johanna decided that the coast was clear and moved through the door, holding a towel. She tried to contain her smirk but, of course, was failing miserably.
She handed him the towel. ''Here you go.''
''Thank you, Johanna.''
''They need me on the floor, will you two be okay?'' They both nodded and Johanna left the room again.
Rick started to clean his shirt, rubbing in the fluid instead of getting it out. Kate shook her hand and grabbed the towel from his hand.
''Stand up.'' He immediately stood up and she started to clean his shirt. ''This isn't going to come out with just water. You'll need to get some baking soda and ... '' She took him in once again. ''Do you have a shirt underneath it? Because you can't go out looking like that.''
''Actually, I have.'' He gave her a smile and unbuttoned the shirt he was wearing and pulled it off. ''Thanks for the tip.''
Kate was surprised by his broad chest, not to mention his biceps. He caught her staring and stood up a little straighter, trying to get his brain to think about something else than kissing her. Their height difference was do-able, he realized and he leaned in a little further.
''So, do you want a drink? I could use a drink. Alcohol or something.'' Kate said quickly, stepping away from him and trying to not think about kissing the guy that was in front of her.
He cleared his throat. ''Yes, beer would be great.''
''You can move back to the dinner area, I'll get you a beer.'' He walked after her, clutching his ruined shirt in his hand. He didn't even care that it was ruined, for his care it could have been ripped apart, but Kate had just touched it and he was never going to throw it away.
She narrowed her eyes at him. ''Truth.''
''Ah that's too bad, I had such a good dare.''
''Shut up and ask the question Castle.'' The restaurant was almost empty, no food would be coming out of the kitchen and the bar would only be open for another half an hour. Rick had stayed at the bar, talking to Jim about business while Kate did her rounds. Every once in a while she would finish her round and talk with him for as long as she could. She had to admit that he was a nice distraction for everything.
''Dog or cat person?'' Out of all the questions he could've asked, he was playing it safe. She appreciated it.
''Dog. By far.'' He nodded in agreement. ''You can't own a cat, the cat owns you.''
''Exactly!'' The excitement in his voice was contagious, she laughed. ''A dog is simply always happy to see you and more cuddly.'' She agreed. ''My turn, I'm going to have to say - Dare.''
''Really? You sure you can handle that Castle?'' She leaned closer to him. ''I dare you to...'' Unconsciously, he leaned in as well. ''pound on your chest and do your best Tarzan yell.''
He looked shocked at first, but it slowly turned into a grin. Castle nailed his dare and made Kate laugh so hard that she had to cry, both didn't seem to care about the other people in the restaurant. Johanna, however, had witnessed the whole exchange.
''Oh, this is ruining my make up.'' She said, still laughing as she wiped her tears away from her eyes. Rick didn't even seem embarrassed, just pleased that she was laughing at something he'd done.
He shrugged. ''It's not like you need it.''
''Flattery will only get you so far, Castle.''
''It's funny.'' He said, taking another sip of his drink.
''What is?'' She asked.
''You're the only one who calls me 'Castle'.'' He told her. ''Most of my friends stick with Rick or some even Richard.''
''Well, it suits you.'' She explained. ''I can't imagine myself calling you Richard. It sounds like something only your-''
''-mother calls me? I know. She is the only one who does that, actually.''
''And probably only when she's angry at you-''
''Oh no, that's when I get 'Richard Alexander Rodgers' thrown at me.'' He saw her confused look and he chuckled. ''That's my full name, officially. I had to change my last name in order to increase the sales of my books.''
''They made you do that?''
''Well, Richard Castle does have a nice ring to it, doesn't it?'' She nodded. ''My publisher didn't force me do it even though it didn't sound like a suggestion exactly either. I didn't mind.''
''I feel like I'm dealing with an entirely different person already.''
He stuck out his hand. ''Hi, I'm Richard Alexander Rodgers, lovely to meet you.''
''Katherine Houghton Beckett'' She shook hands with him, small smile on her face. ''would you like to get a drink together sometime?''
Her smile is intoxicating. ''I thought you would never ask.'' He said, hiding his smile behind his glass as he took another sip of his drink.