Poison Pen

Chapter 23

"Kate, calm down!" Lanie commands, pulling dresses from Kate's closet. "We'll find the right outfit. But I don't think that's what you're nervous about."

"You're right," Kate admits. "Lanie, I got a crush on Castle just reading his books and looking at his picture on the dustjackets. And after getting to know him — I just don't want to blow it, that's all."

"How could you blow it? You've been working hand in glove with that man, not to mention spending a night in a car with him. If you were going to turn him off, you would have done it by now. With his money and success, he could be going out with a supermodel, but he asked you. And what about the book he's basing on you? You hooked him, girlfriend."

"I wasn't fishing, Lanie," Kate protests. "I want a partner, not a catch."

Lanie's head waggles back and forth on her neck. "Wow, look who's hooked!" She fingers a silky crimson sheath. "What about this one? It's still got tags on it."

"I forgot I had that. My cousin Sophie bought it in the back room at Loehmann's and put it away for a special occasion. But she gained a little weight and couldn't get into it, so she gave it to me. I haven't tried it on in years."

"You should," Lanie advises. "A classic design like that is timeless, and you haven't gained a pound since I've known you." She extends the hanger bearing the sleek dress. "Here."

Lanie looks on in satisfaction as Kate stands in front of the mirror. "See, it's perfect. You're going to knock Castle's eyes out."

Rick sweeps his hand toward his tie rack. "I can't figure out which one to wear with this shirt, or if I should wear this shirt."

"Maroon looks good on you, Dad," Alexis assures him, reaching for a silver tie and holding it up against Castle's chest. "See, that's perfect."

"You're right," Castle agrees, slipping the tie around his neck. "Have you considered becoming a professional stylist? It seems like anyone who ever goes near a red carpet in this town uses one."

"That's one of the few things I haven't considered doing," Alexis confesses. "Right now, it's between law, medicine, environmental science, and quantum physics."

"At least you're narrowing it down. Are you going to be all right while I'm out with Beckett tonight? It's Saturday; I thought you'd be going somewhere with your friends."

Alexis rolls her eyes. "They're going to a movie, but I've already seen it. Mom has three lines in it, so she took me to the premier."

"Yes, as I remember, your Gram saw a cut of that at a film festival. She wasn't complimentary."

"She said the actors brought shame on the craft," Alexis recalls. "I didn't think it was that bad, but I don't want to sit through it again. Anyway, Owen is on a weekend trip with his parents, and we're going to Skype."

"Ah, the truth emerges. You have fun."

"You have fun too, Dad. I don't think you could do anything weirder in front of Detective Beckett than you've already done."

Rick leans down to kiss his daughter's forehead. "Thank you. That's a great comfort."

Rick gulps as Kate opens the door to her apartment. Her dress lovingly hugs the curves of her body, and a long slit exposes a tantalizing glimpse of leg. She's wearing just enough makeup to emphasize her features without overwhelming them, and the tendrils of hair framing her face beg for his touch. "You look incredible!"

"You don't look bad yourself, Castle."

"Um, are you ready to go?"

"I just need to get my coat. Come in."

Castle glances around, noting a purple theme to the décor, while Kate reaches into a hall closet. He takes the lightweight garment from her and holds it up so she can easily slip her arms into the sleeves.

"Thanks, Castle."

His hands linger for a moment on her shoulders. "My pleasure. Shall we go?"

Rick pulls open the passenger door of a red Ferrari so Kate can seat herself inside. "I didn't know you have a Ferrari, Castle."

"I don't drive it much. It's not exactly a family car. I bought it after Alexis' mother went off and had an affair with a director in Malibu. I thought it would make me feel…"

Kate nods. "I get the picture."

"Anyway," Castle continues, "I wanted tonight to be special, and I think the valets signal the maître D's to give you a better table if you drive up in a flashy car, especially if you impress them as a good tipper. According to the reviews, all the tables at this restaurant are good, but some are better than others."

"I guess we'll find out," Kate responds as Castle rounds the front of the car to slide into the driver's seat. "I got a call from Alejandro Mendola a little while ago."

"Don't tell me he's hitting on you."

Kate hides her smile behind the tips of her fingers. "No. He wanted to tell me that Angela Candela is with her grandmother Mendola and another one of the cousins who's staying with her. He said the little girl is happy and doing fine."

"That is good news. I was worried about what might happen to her."

"I know you were, Castle. That's one of the things I like about you and why I thought you'd want to know."

"I did. You know," Rick confides, "I was afraid you'd get some last-minute case tonight."

"Esposito volunteered to be on call."

"I thought he'd be at Boobs and Brew, watching that stripper he's been dating, Trixie."

"They broke up. He didn't tell me why, but I overheard Ryan saying something about Espo's eyes being on too many boobs."

"He does have a strong appreciation for that particular aspect of the female form. When he looks at Lanie, he isn't always focused on her face, and he does seem to like visiting the morgue."

"If he wants to get anywhere with Lanie, he's going to have to broaden his horizons, but that's for him to work out. I'm trying to work out where we're going. How far is this restaurant, Castle?"

"Not far. In fact, we're almost there. Castle pulls up in a small lot and hands the valet his keys and a $50 bill. Slipping his claim check in his pocket, he offers his arm to Kate, escorting her to the door of Your Own Corner.

Kate notices that Castle also hands the maître D a sizable tip before they're led to a table. Nodding at Rick, the maître D points at the pull cords that will close the curtains around them. Your server will be with you shortly, and once you've received your dining pleasures for the evening, you will have complete privacy."

In the glow of the candle flickering in the middle of the table, Rick can see the flush in Kate's face. "What's going on here, Castle?"

"Kate, right now, nothing is going on except that I'm waiting for our server to show up so we can order dinner. I just wanted somewhere I could be with you for a little while without the world intruding, but if you're uncomfortable with that, I'll leave the curtains open."

Kate fingers the tassel at the end of a cord. "No, Castle. After our server brings our order, I'll close them."