~19~
"Jesus Les, what the hell are you doing and why are you here? I thought once I moved into a secure building, people would stop breaking into my apartment."
"I just wanted to see how your date went and knew that I couldn't go to sleep until I talked to you about it." He was sitting on her couch, looking her over. "You seem to have all of your clothes on and in the correct location. Nothing seems to be turned inside out and you don't seem to be covered in hickeys or bite marks."
"What the hell? You're here to make sure I'm not covered in hickeys? Who are you, my mother?"
They both paused for a minute at that question and gave a quick body shiver. "Lester, we had a nice dinner, talked for a bit and then watched a movie. We both want the same thing from each other and agreed to move slowly so we don't screw it up. Neither of us have a great track record in the relationship department." Steph let out a sigh. "Les, he loves me. I can't screw this up."
"Beautiful, first of all, everyone knows he loves you. It's about time he opened his mouth and told you. Second, neither of you have ever had the chance at a real relationship. Ranger married out of duty and it didn't last longer than the pregnancy. You both got married to the Dick when you shouldn't have and the on and off relationship with Morelli just about broke him. Once he met you, he never looked for a relationship with another woman." Steph looked at him with a smirk and said, "Sure Les, he wasn't with other women since he met me. I don't believe it."
"Steph, you didn't listen to what I said. I didn't say he wasn't with other women. I said he never really looked at a relationship with another woman. There were a few other women that I know about in the past few years, but they were just there for relief, you know, a quick night. Not a serious relationship like we know he wants with you. Beautiful, he wasn't a monk, but then again, you weren't a nun, so…
"Anyway, we couldn't stand to be around Ranger when you were actually with Morelli. He was a pain the ass. The best thing you have ever done was to dump Morelli and come to work here. We're all happy you are here and you have proved yourself in the gym and gun range. I know Ranger tells you a lot, but we are all proud of you."
Steph wiped at the tears that were running down her cheeks and leaned over and kissed Lester on the cheek. "Thanks Lester. I'm happy that I came here too. I didn't think I could do everything, but I did and I'm proud of myself too. I need to get to bed, I have a meeting with Tank bright and early to go over what they want me to do with the client side of the company. "
Lester walked to the door and stopped and smiled at her. "I'm really happy that you're happy Beautiful. Just know that if Ranger screws this up to the point of no repair, there's plenty of guys in this building who would be very willing to take his place, starting with me." He blew her a kiss and walked out the door.
Steph stood with her mouth hanging open and thought "Holy crap."