I hope you guys enjoy the most recent chapter. Let me know what you think! - Ecorley

Chapter 2

"You got an ID on you?" the handsome Detective Flack asked, a smile still ghosting his lips as him and Messer shared quick glances at each other. I immediately wondered what secret they were sharing with each other and silently hoped they weren't discreetly laughing at me.

"Yes" I said softly. He lowered his head but I could see his grin widen and I watched as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a notepad and pen. He glanced back up at me and I got caught up in those baby blue eyes once again.

"May I see it?"

I heard what he said but my logical mind had ceased to function and had been overtaken by what can only be described as the brain of a love sick, hormonal, sixteen year old girl. My biggest weakness in life was an overly attractive man; it had afflicted me for years and resulted in most of the top embarrassing moments of my life. Tongue-tied Rowan usually came out and she wasn't nearly as charming as professional me, Ms. Rowan Stills, super bank employee.

The seconds passed and my head began spinning as I tried to decide exactly what shade of blue the detective's eyes reminded me of….

Cerulean?

Sky blue?

Sapphire?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize exactly how much time had passed….apparently it was enough to cause the detective some sense of unease. I was probably giving off a creeper vibe and if so, I hoped that I'd die of embarrassment quickly to get it over with.

His eyes had faded from a bright and amused look to one of concern, "Ma'am, are you feeling okay? You may be in shock." Without hesitating, he turned to the CSI standing beside him, "Danny, let's get an EMT out here to check on her" he said before turning back to face me. He stepped closer and I was once again made aware of his significant height advantage. He loomed over me and for a moment I wished I had worn those traitorous heels after all.

It took great restraint not to stumble back when the man raised his palm and pressed it softly against my forehead. His hand was warm against my cold, clammy skin and I once again admonished myself for the bottle of wine I had consumed the previous evening. The hangover should have been penance enough but it seemed as if fate had other punishments in mind…embarrassing the hell out of my for instance. I swallowed hard and despite my humiliation, I reached up and pulled the man's hand away from my forehead. I enjoyed another whiff of his cologne as I patted his hand politely before releasing it and forcing a smile to my face, one that I knew didn't reach my eyes but generally fooled most people into believing whatever I said.

The CSI had nodded and was turning to speak to the uniformed officer when I finally managed to put two words together into a comprehensible sentence.

"Please..." I spoke up, reaching out to touch the man's shoulder, "I'm fine…really" I said firmly when I saw the way he hesitated and looked back at Detective Flack for affirmation.

I really didn't want to explain to them that I looked like shit because I was hung over and that my spacing out was due to the simple fact that Don Flack was the sexiest thing I'd seen since arriving in New York…maybe the sexiest thing I'd seen ever, the jury was still out on that one. The man radiated charisma and confidence which made my inability to interact with him even worse.

As if to prove my point, I reached into my purse and pulled out my wallet to retrieve my ID for the detective, forcing another fake smile to my lips as I handed it over, swallowing my nervousness and willing myself to lock eyes with Mr. Handsome and maintain some semblance of a normal conversation.

He looked down at me and I could tell he was trying to decide if I was being completely honest with him. My heart began to pitter patter again as I forced myself to keep my eyes locked on his, memorizing each facial feature so I could swoon later in private. He broke eye contact to share a glance with his colleague and shook his head at him before turning back to me. I let out small sigh of relief when I saw the CSI cancel his request and looked up once again at the detective.

Don Flack was now eyeing my driver's license with curiosity, "Louisiana huh? You're a long way from home Ms. Stills" he mused, glancing up at me with another killer smile.

"Please…call me Rowan" I insisted.

I watched as the detective continued to smile as he wrote down my information, "May I ask what brings you to New York Rowan?"

I couldn't help but smile at the sound of my name rolling off his tongue and nodded before I began explaining my job and which branch I was currently working at in town.

"So you're only in New York temporarily?" Detective Flack asked as he wrote down the apartment address I had just softly recited to him. His smile had faded some and he gave his coworker a look as he finished writing the information in his notepad.

I had been watching him as he wrote down my personal information, enjoying the way his eyes crinkled as he smiled.

"Yes sir Detective Flack" I replied, nodding my head and taking my ID from his now extended hand before looking down at my watch. I saw how late it was and swallowed hard, quickly remembering the hangover that was still plaguing me. The nausea had suddenly returned and I was ready to make a hasty retreat to the bank. My plan was to hide myself away in a back office and spend the day finishing paperwork and nursing the hangover that was quickly causing a pounding headache.

I was tucking my ID back in the plastic cover of my wallet when I heard the man say something I didn't catch.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, looking back up at him.

"Don…" he said louder,"…that's my name" he explained, his smile returning as he stuffed his notepad and pen back into his jacket pocket.

"Oh..." I chuckled, a genuine smile finally spreading across my face, "…sorry, I'm a little off today"

Don chuckled and motioned to the two police cars parked on the curb, "Well, I can't imagine why" he joked.

I didn't bother telling him that I had been off long before his suspect had snatched me up as a hostage in the middle of a crowded street.

We stood staring at each other for a few moments before the ringing of my cell phone broke the silence.

"May I?" I asked politely, holding up my cell phone.

"Go right ahead" he replied just as politely, continuing to look down at me with a smile on his face. For a second, I wondered if he was mocking my good Southern manners.

I groaned when I saw who it was and ignored the laugh that suddenly burst from the man standing in front of me. I could only imagine what kind of look I had just given upon seeing who was on the other end of the phone. Rebecca was going to be a good manager but she was still much too reliant on me. I knew me being late had thrown her off. I was always with her in the morning as she did her opening procedures so this was her first time doing everything solo. I couldn't guess what the panicked voice on the other line was going to blurt out but I also knew I was only minutes from the branch so whatever issue she was having, I would be there to fix it in just a few moments.

I swiped my finger across the screen and didn't even bother with a greeting, "I'll be there in 5 minutes" I said quickly before hanging up and throwing my phone back in my purse.

"Duty calls?" he asked plainly.

"Duty calls" I confirmed with a nod, hoisting my purse higher up on my shoulder.

"I'll come by your work this afternoon to get your statement…it was nice meeting you Rowan" he said, extending his hand.

I stole one last glance at his handsome face before reaching my hand out to shake his. His grip was firm but gentle and his hand still warm even though the air was chilly outside today.

"You as well Detec…Don…" I quickly corrected, giving him a sincere smile. Not to be rude, I turned to the CSI who I suddenly realized had been observing our entire interaction. From the knowing smile on his face, I could tell he realized I was swooning a bit over his friend, the detective.

Not to be rude, I reached my hand out to the second man, "Mr. Messer, it was a pleasure to meet you."

He looked surprised for a moment but gave my hand a quick shake, "…it's Danny…" he laughed, "…and believe me, the pleasure is all mine...or rather Detective Flack's pleasure" he added, giving me a wink.

I glanced back over at the Detective and knew he had heard what his friend had said because he had lowered his eyes and was shaking his head. If it had been anyone else… someone less perfect looking, less manly, someone that exuded less charisma…I might have thought he was blushing a little. Perhaps he was embarrassed for me. Surely, a man like him wouldn't look twice at someone mousey like me but it was apparently very obvious to the CSI that I was attracted to his partner.

A nervous giggle escaped my lips but I gave no other response…faking ignorance seemed much easier than trying to deny it. I knew I was blushing bright pink but with the hangover rearing its ugly head, perhaps it made my clammy, white skin look a more natural, normal color.

"Well thank you both for your help" I said to Danny before turning back to the detective, "…and I suppose I'll see you later Detective...Don" I corrected when I saw the look he gave me.

I was rewarded with a small smile and a nod.

"Yes ma'am", he confirmed.

I gave the detective one last nod before turning around and making a mad dash down the sidewalk toward my branch, hoping that I hadn't just made a complete idiot of myself. My only solace was knowing that after I gave my statement, I would probably never have to see Detective Don Flack again, thus eliminating any chance of making an ass out of myself in some ridiculous way. I would never admit it out loud, but the thought of never seeing those beautiful eyes of his again left me feeling a certain type of way.