When her alarm rang out the following morning at 7am, Liz nearly threw it out the window. Oh god, she thought, I don't think I can move, let alone get out of bed. However, after giving herself a pep talk, she managed to drag herself to the bathroom and perform her usual morning routine. Once she had showered and brushed her teeth she made her way to the kitchen and set the coffee pot to brew, ransacking the drawer by the sink for some aspirin. She couldn't believe how much her head was hurting. She went back to her room to get dressed and decided there and then she was never going to drink on a work night ever again.

Once in her office, she had twenty minutes before her first patient was due. She made herself another extra strong coffee and started to look through his file just to brush up on his case. Her headache was no better. God, if only there was some way of passing her patients onto someone else for the day. Ah, well, that's the price you pay for running your own one-woman business, she smiled to herself ruefully.

Just as she glanced at her watch to see how much longer she had to wait, her phone pinged. Oh, please let this be him cancelling. I could easily doze for an hour on my couch before the next patient's due. However, she wasn't that lucky.

Ray was enduring a similar morning. Despite the fact he had happily knocked back what he estimated was about a gallon of beer and two large scotches the night before with no obvious ill-effects, he wasn't feeling quite so smug about his drinking prowess this morning. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this rough. Hmm, probably shouldn't complain, at least I'm not on a ship on choppy waters. He wanted to get himself in nice and early today to see everything was okay after he'd taken the day off yesterday. He was up and out the door in under twenty minutes and decided to walk to the restaurant, just in case he wasn't yet safe to drive.

When he got there and opened up he went straight to his office and made himself a coffee. Sitting at his desk, he allowed himself a few minutes to sit and close his eyes in the hope that the room might stop spinning. However, it didn't seem to help. In fact, it just made it worse. Groaning, he opened his eyes and sat forward, spying his phone sitting on the desk. Hmm, he thought, I wonder how Lizzy's doing this morning. He reached for his phone.

Liz quickly scanned her text message and couldn't help but laugh out loud. 'Good morning, sexy Lizzy. Please tell me you don't feel as awful as I do? Ray x'. She'd forgotten she'd put her name in his phone like that and blushed slightly. Still, he didn't seem to mind. She quickly texted back, 'Good morning to you too, sexy Ray. I feel so awful I don't think there's any way on earth you could feel worse. I blame you for this entirely'. She then added a winking emoji and signed off 'SL x x'.

Ray read her message and chuckled. He was glad she seemed to be okay, despite their shared pain. And she certainly didn't seem to be regretting last night. Before he lost the courage to do so, he quickly sent another text to her, 'Dinner, my place, Friday evening?'.

Liz heard the outer door to her office open and her phone ping at the same time. She quickly scanned the text from Ray and smiled, 'Sounds great! Speak soon….'. Now she had a date with the delectable Ray set for Friday, she felt that she could actually make it through today.

Ray read her reply and grinned from ear to ear. He put his phone down and glanced at the time. Hmm, maybe just another hour before I do any work, he thought to himself as he lowered his head to his desk and groaned.

The rest of the week passed in a bit of a blur for both of them. The restaurant was busy every lunch and dinner time for the whole week and Liz's practice was booked up for every available appointment. They had exchanged a few more text messages over the last few days but when it got to Friday afternoon, they'd still not actually spoken since Monday night. Ray realised that he'd not yet told Liz any more details for their date and so decided to give her a quick call to let her know the final plans for that evening. However, her phone just rang out and he realised she must be with a patient. He left a brief message telling her he'd pick her up at six-thirty unless he heard otherwise and then hung up. He ran off to the bar to have a brief word with the assistant manager and then headed home, eager to look out what he was gonna wear later. He found he hadn't felt this nervous about a date for such a long time he'd completely forgotten how it could be. The butterflies in his stomach were fluttering about in full force.

Liz locked up her office and set off home, quickly scanning her phone for messages as she walked. She saw she had a voicemail that must've come through when her phone was on silent. Having listened to it, she smiled and started to get even more excited about her date tonight. She'd missed his voice and hearing it again made her both nervous and giddy. She picked up the pace, eager to get home, showered and changed in plenty time.

At six twenty-five Ray was sitting in his car, looking up at Liz's apartment. He'd already been out here for five minutes but didn't want to be early so was just sitting and tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. Eventually he couldn't stand it anymore and got out the car and started pacing up the sidewalk away from her door. After a brief stride up the road he turned and came back. Okay, now he was only three minutes early. Surely that was okay? He headed to her door and rang the bell.

Liz was just putting the finishing touches to her make-up. She'd chosen a relatively simple black dress. A little cleavage but nothing too racy. Medium height heels and understated jewellery. She wanted to look good but also knew that if they were eating in at Ray's, dressing up too much might seem a bit odd. Just as she dabbed her lipstick on a tissue, the doorbell rang. She glanced at her clock and smiled. Three minutes early, eh Ray? That'll teach me to date a military man. She stood up and grabbed her bag and a light coat and headed out to the stairs.

When she opened the door the sight of Ray made her break out into a wide, genuine smile. He was wearing dark grey slacks and a white shirt, with the sleeves rolled up and a couple of buttons undone. The smile he returned to her was so open and happy that she couldn't help but walk right up to him and grab his hand.

'Hi there'

'Hi yourself'

'You're looking very handsome'

'And you're looking positively stunning, my dear', he said as he lifted her hand to his mouth and lightly kissed it.

He turned then and escorted her to his car, opening the passenger door for her before returning to the driver's seat. As he pulled away from her apartment, he looked over to her and smiled.

'I've missed you'

'It's only been four days, Ray', Liz said, momentarily caught almost dumbstruck by his revelation. But, thinking about it, she realised she felt exactly the same. And why not be honest? 'I've missed you too though. I've been looking forward to tonight all week'.

'Me too, sweetheart'.

Within a few minutes they were pulling up outside Ray's house and he quickly ran around to Liz's door to open it and lead her in. She gratefully accepted his arm and walked with him to his front door. His house wasn't particularly big but it had two storeys and a lovely garden.

'How long have you lived here?'

'Oh, only for a few weeks. I'm only renting. My dad lived above the restaurant but I didn't really want to be on the premises 24/7 like he was. I felt like I needed a least some space to myself. I've got this place for a minimum of six months'.

As he finished speaking, they got to the door and Ray unlocked it and ushered Liz in first.

'I'm afraid the décor is minimal at best. I'm only really using four rooms and one for storage. So, the kitchen, bathroom, lounge and bedroom are furnished but that's it'.

'Oh, I'm sure that'll be more than enough', Liz replied seconds before she'd realised she'd just intimated that the bedroom might be of use to them. Before Ray could see her blushing yet again, she turned away and hung her coat up on a hook by the door. She turned back to him and smiled.

'Okay, Ray, I'm all recovered from Tuesday morning, what drinks've you got?'

Ray laughed and led her to the kitchen. 'It's good to see Tuesday morning's shared suffering hasn't put you off alcohol for life. I have to admit I've not touched it since but that may be because, having been in the restaurant all week, I've been surrounded by it all day. The smell alone was putting me off', Ray said, shuddering. 'In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if there was something wrong with that beer in the marquee?'

'Oh, right, of course. And the same thing just happened to be wrong with my Chardonnay?'

'Oh, no, unlikely. I think that's got more to do with the amount you were putting away', Ray said and easily dodged her playful slap intended for his arm.

'Okay, okay. Enough talk of Tuesday's inexplicable malaise, mister. I think we can agree we both drank too much'.

Ray grinned and reached into his fridge. 'Yes, absolutely. In fact, I seem to recall swearing off alcohol altogether sometime mid Tuesday afternoon. Anyway, Chardonnay?'

Liz laughed and nodded at him. He poured them both a glass and beckoned Liz to come and join him on his terrace. 'You sit here for a moment and I'll just pop back and get us some snacks'.

Once Ray had gone back in the house, Liz took the chance to look around his garden. There was little to it, it really did look like a rental house; no personal touches at all. She heard Ray coming back out and reached up to accept the vol-au-vent he offered her. 'Mushroom and prosciutto with a hint of brie. Tell me what you think; I made them myself'.

Liz's eyes opened wide when he said that. They were absolutely delicious. 'You're kidding? These are amazing. Wow!'

'Thank you. Running a restaurant has inspired me to try out some new recipes. I've always liked cooking but the galley of a Naval ship really isn't the place to be attempting haute cuisine', he said with a laugh.

'Mmm, well, if these are what you're capable of, I say keep on attempting'.

They both then sat back in their chairs and enjoyed a quiet moment, each sipping slowly at their drinks and contemplating how the silence between them didn't seem uneasy at all. In fact, it already felt like they'd known each other for months, not just two weeks.

Eventually Ray stood up again and excused himself to the kitchen, 'Please stay here and enjoy the fresh air. I'm just going to make dinner. I decided on steaks with caesar salad, seeing as I know you like both. I hope that's okay?'

'Sounds wonderful'

'How do you like your steak?'

'Oh, like I like my men', Liz said before she had a chance to filter what she was saying. God, Liz, half a glass of wine and you're already sticking your foot in it.

'I see. Well, I'm not sure exactly what length of time of cooking steak bodes best for me….. Well done? Rare?'

Liz snorted around a mouthful of Chardonnay and answered, 'I like them rare, yes'. Well done, Liz. You resisted saying 'blue', she congratulated herself.

Ray smirked and walked off to the kitchen. Within ten minutes he called her in and showed her to the table. 'I've just rustled up a fairly simple caesar salad but I hope you like the fried bacon pieces?'

'Everything smells wonderful. Thank you for going to so much trouble'.

As they began to eat, Ray started to pour a bottle of red for Liz that he'd been allowing to breathe. They'd already polished off the whole bottle of white and were both feeling very relaxed and tipsy once again. Their dinner passed with a lot of laughing and poking fun at each other. Both were still insisting that the other one had been the more drunken on Monday night.

'Well, at least I wasn't craving hot dogs twenty minutes after finishing my dinner!'

'Yes, true. I'll give you that. I managed to resist them though. Anyway, as we've finished, would you like to retire to the lounge?'

Ray picked up both their wine glasses and led Liz through to his main living area. They sat down together on the couch and both sighed at exactly the same moment. Then they glanced at each other and laughed.

'Actually, Lizzy, I might just excuse myself and visit the bathroom. I'll be right back'.

Once Ray had left the room, Liz looked around, hoping to see something of Ray's that would give her more insight into the man. Her eyes happened upon what looked like a photo album sitting on top of an opened packing box. She went to pick it up and returned to the couch.

When Ray got back from the bathroom, Liz was cooing away in delighted tones and Ray grimaced.

'I see you've found some of my childhood pictures. Damn, should have hidden that'

'Are you kidding? You're so adorable I could eat you right up! Look at that mess of blonde hair. What a lovely kid'.

'Appearances can be deceptive, my dear'.

'I thought you said you were bookish?'

'Ah, yes, you remembered. I was hoping to convey more of an image of rebellion and danger…. I was a nerd'.

Liz laughed and pointed at another picture. 'Looking at this picture of your dad here, I can see the resemblance now. I knew what he looked like of course, but don't remember what he looked like when he was younger'.

Ray looked at the picture and smiled. 'Yeah, I am starting to look more like him. I guess the hair loss helps with that', he chuckled.

'Got any more albums? This one's a treasure trove'

'Ummm, yes…..'

Liz jumped up and headed back to the box. Just as she reached in to grab another album, she spied something even more tempting. She picked it up and turned back to Ray.

'How old is this teddy bear?'

'Oh, God, I'd forgotten he was in there'

'He, not 'it'. Hmm, you're clearly identifying with it in an anthropomorphic way. Musta been very dear to you'.

'And this is why dating a psychologist is a bad idea', Ray laughed jovially then beckoned her back over. She placed the bear back in the box and picked up the second album.

'Sorry, I was only teasing'

'I know, sweetheart. And, yes, I did very much love Yogi'

With that Liz nearly lost another mouthful of wine. 'Yogi? That's wonderful. Aw, little Ray and Yogi. I can just picture you both going on adventures together. To the library!'

Now it was Ray's turn to snort with laughter. 'Oh, dear god, it's lucky I joined the Navy, isn't it? Otherwise you'd think I was a complete loss'.

'Not at all. I like bookworms. And nerds. And men who can cook. And men who wear dashing white uniforms. I think you're anything but a loss'. Liz had now given up on trying to temper her mouth. She was clearly pretty tipsy again and was enjoying flirting with Ray way too much.

'Thank you', Ray said and smiled at her as she opened up the second album.

'Aha – you in your 20s?'

'Yes, I was in the Navy by then', Ray said peering closely at the picture. 'I think that's me getting my lieutenant pips'.

'And there's your dad again. He looks so proud of you'.

Ray kept on studying the picture for a few moments and then had to turn his head away. Liz didn't notice his sudden discomfort and carried on flicking through the album for a couple more pages.

'Oh, and look at you here. That is a tragic sweater you're wearing….', Liz turned to Ray as she was speaking and noticed he was pointedly looking away from her.

'Oh my god, Ray, what is it? Have I upset you? I'm so sorry if I have'

'No, it's not you', Ray managed to say in a strained voice. 'It's just seeing those pictures of my dad again'.

'Ray, I'm sorry', Liz said as she closed the album and put it to the side. He still didn't turn back to her though and she heard him sniffing quietly. She edged closer and reached out to place her hand on his arm.

At the touch of Liz's hand, Ray turned back towards her and she saw he had tears streaming down his face.

'Oh, Ray', Liz said as she moved towards him, feeling tearful herself at the sight of him crying. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled his head down into her neck. She held him tight and let him cry.

After a few minutes, Ray managed to stop crying and pulled his head up.

'I'm so sorry, Lizzy. I didn't mean to weep all over you'. He then spotted how wet the top of her dress was. 'And I hope those tears don't stain your dress'.

'Don't be silly. There's nothing wrong with crying. I'm just glad I could be here for you when you did. And I couldn't care less about the dress'.

Ray smiled at her and their eyes locked onto each other. 'Thank you, sweetheart'.

Liz smiled back at him and ran her hands down his cheeks, gently stroking them. Ray then leant forwards and lightly touched his lips to hers. Although Liz hadn't been expecting a kiss at this exact moment, she immediately responded to it and kissed him back. He pulled away slightly just to look at her again and upon seeing the look on her face, went back in for another kiss. This one started slowly but after a minute or so it was starting to get much more passionate. Both of them groaned slightly as their hands started to explore each other. Ray's were either side of Liz's waist and hers were around the back of his head, running her fingernails through his shorn hair.

Eventually, Liz sat back and then smiled broadly at him. 'You know, I can't believe I'm about to say this but maybe this could wait till another time? Much as I'm very fond of you and the fact I find you devastatingly sexy, I don't wanna rush into anything'. She smiled almost apologetically as she said this and Ray rushed to reassure her.

'Of course, sweetheart. I'm in no hurry. And I'd never do anything to pressure you. It's been a wonderful evening. Even the crying was cathartic'.

Liz laughed lightly at him and bent her head to give him one more brief kiss before standing up and walking towards the bathroom.

'I'm just going to use the little girls' room. Then do you want to walk me home?'

'Absolutely, my dear'.

They headed off down the road together, Ray's tears all but forgotten and they laughed and joked the whole way back to Liz's apartment. They were walking hand in hand and occasionally Ray would lift Liz's hand to his mouth and brush his lips over it.

When they got to her address, Liz opened the front door and then turned back to Ray.

'Thank you for a wonderful evening. And for being such a gentleman. I had a great time'.

'Me too. I was thinking; would you like to join me for a picnic maybe? Tomorrow or Sunday?'

'Ooh, I would love to! How's about Sunday?'

'Perfect', Ray said and started to move away slightly.

'Hey, wait'

'Hmm…', was all Ray managed to get out before Liz had stepped into his arms and pulled his head down for one final kiss. This one was an intoxicating mix of tender and hungry, both of them grabbing each other tight and moaning slightly. Eventually they pulled apart, both a little out of breath.

'See you Sunday, Ray'

'I can't wait, sweetheart. Sleep well'.

'You too. And Yogi, of course', Liz said with a cheeky wink.

Ray grimaced and then smiled broadly. 'Just you wait till I get to see some of your embarrassing secrets, my dear'.

'Ha, as if an angel like me would have any'

Ray laughed at her and then kissed her hand, 'Until Sunday, Lizzy'.