A/N: I've had this one sitting around for a while, but was never quite satisfied enough with it. I just couldn't get it right, but there are some parts I liked, so I'm hoping some people enjoy it. Warning, this is nothing but cheesy romance.
"Good, you all got my text." Said Catherine, striding into the break room. She briskly walked to the lone empty chair and sat down at the table, joining her colleagues. "I thought since tonight wasn't too busy, we'd better sit down and figure our car pool arrangement out."
Seated around the table, Greg, Morgan, Hodges, Henry and Lindsay all nodded.
Catherine continued, "So, everyone is leaving Las Vegas on Friday night? I've heard that everyone is leaving at different times due to previous commitments?"
Without taking his eyes off of Catherine, Greg nudged Morgan beside him. "Who would have thought it?" He whispered, smiling. "Nick getting married."
Morgan smiled back. "I'm really looking forward to going this weekend. It's going to be a blast."
"I have a supervisor's meeting Friday morning, which means I'll be getting away a little later than the rest of you" Continued Catherine. "I assume the rest of you are all leaving mid afternoon?" Again, all nodded.
"I have to be in San Diego by 7 pm to start performing my Best Man duties." Greg spoke up. "but I'd be happy to have some company for the drive down."
Morgan looked over at Greg and smiled. "I'll go with you." She piped up before anyone else could agree to go with him. Driving with Greg was always fun. She enjoyed the time they got to spend together on the way to and from crime scenes, talking about whatever came to their minds. Truthfully, she'd developed feelings for Greg a long time ago and her plan was to spend some time with Greg in San Diego, and figure out if he reciprocated those feelings.
"Fine." Came the unanimous voice of four other people. Some were able to hide their smirks better than others. Lindsay had an almost gleeful look on her face. Morgan noticed the look on Lindsay's face before Lindsay covered up her smile with a small cough.
Lindsay cleared her throat. "I'll wait around and ride with my mom. I don't want her to make the drive alone."
In reply, Hodges turned to Henry. "David and Doc Robbins are both coming solo and i told them they could come with us. I can drive."
"I'll drive. I'm not getting in that death trap of a car." Henry replied.
"It' s a classic!" Exclaimed Hodges, clearly offended.
"Death trap." Repeated Henry firmly.
"Well, that was settled quicker than I anticipated." Said Catherine standing up from her chair. "I guess it is back to work. " She paused. "But this weekend will be a blast." She smiled and headed back to her office.
Friday at two pm, Greg pulled into Morgan's driveway. He found her sitting on her front stoop, travel suitcase beside her. She gave him a quick wave as she stood up and wheeled her bag over to the back of the car. Greg joined her, opening his hatch and placing her suitcase in for her.
Once in the car, Greg gestured to the travel mug in the console beside her. "I'm not sure if you've had a coffee yet, but I brought you a fresh cup. I made some for the car ride."
Touched, Morgan smiled. "Thank you! I decided to sleep a bit extra instead of making coffee."
"The plight of the shift worker. Little sleep, switching to being awake during the day for the weekend, and then switching back." He picked up his own travel mug and took a sip of fresh coffee. "Good coffee makes it bearable."
Morgan picked up her mug and took a taste. The coffee tasted wonderful. It was exactly how she liked it. She brought it up to her lips, taking another satisfying sip. She sunk back in her seat, smiling at Greg's thoughtfulness.
Greg noticed, "I take it, you like your coffee?" He smiled, as he backed out of her driveway. She didn't want to tell him she wasn't smiling because of the coffee, so she nodded her head and thanked him again.
"Did you get much sleep this morning?" She asked, changing the subject.
"About five hours, but that's the usual for me. I would have liked a bit longer. I'm sure I'll be up late tonight hanging out with Nick and the guys."
"The girls and I are going out for a few drinks while you guys are doing your thing. Sara even agreed to join us. I'm looking forward to a ladies reunion as well."
"It's kind of amazing that Nick's getting married. He always liked to date, but never one girl at once."
"I guess when you find the right person, you just know." She replied, looking at her hands. Perhaps the right person is sitting in right beside you. She thought. Greg looked over at her and smiled.
"Yeah." He said softly. He coughed and then continued to talk about Nick and his soon to be wife.
After a few hours in the car, Greg asked Morgan if she wanted to stop for a something to eat. She agreed and he pulled off at the next exit, finding a coffee shop. After a bathroom break and bite to eat, they walked out into the warm afternoon sun.
"I was starting to get a bit stiff sitting in the car. Do you want to walk up the boulevard for a bit?" Greg asked Morgan.
"Sure." She agreed. "When we get back on the road, do you want me to drive for a bit?"
Greg leaned a bit closer to her. "Not a chance, Brody." He smirked. "Come on, lets walk down the sidewalk."
The two of the walked down the sidewalk, side by side. Their hands occasionally touching. Morgan could not shake the butterflies in stomach every time she felt his touch. She wondered if Greg was feeling anything. Her mind wandered to the dress she was planning on wearing to the wedding. It was low cut and form fitting, Morgan's ultimate goal was for her to catch Greg's eye. She wanted him to see her as more than a co-worker, maybe someone he could be with.
"You've gone quiet. Have you run out of things to talk about? Because we still have a couple of hours left of driving." He nudged her with his elbow.
Thinking quickly she said, "Actually, with Nick and Deena meeting and getting married so quickly, I'm wondering if it a shotgun wedding."
"This isn't the 1960's anymore." He laughed, giving her a light nudge on her arm. "But I'll let you know if Nick says anything."
They'd come to a busy intersection and stopped, watching cars going every which way. "Are you ready to turn back and head on the road again?" Morgan asked, as a blue sedan made a sharp right turn in front of them.
"Yeah, we should." They turned around together, and just for a second, Greg placed his hand on her lower back. Morgan felt a rush of electricity course through her. I've got it bad. Thought Morgan, trying to walk straight and not show that his touch affected her.
The rest of the drive was spent companionably chatting and before Morgan knew it, they were pulling into the parking lot of the large hotel. Greg looked at the elaborate landscaping and gardens dotting the green areas of the front parking lot. "Wow, nice looking place." He said to Morgan.
Morgan nodded. "I wonder what the inside looks like?"
"Lets go find out." Hopping out of Greg' s vehicle and grabbing their suitcases, the two entered the through the glass double doors and found themselves in a cream coloured lobby with large pillars showcasing the high ceilings, the centerpiece being a large and elaborate crystal chandelier. They followed the cream coloured, shiny and elaborate patterned tile, leading them to the check in area.
"This place reminds me of the casinos on the strip." Remarked Greg, as he took his room key from the desk clerk.
"Hey, you guys made it!" called a voice across the lobby. Greg and Morgan turned to find Hodges and Henry walking towards them, each with a beer in hand. After greetings had been exchanged, Hodges ordered Greg to go up and get ready.
"Nick's waiting for his best man so the party can start!" Hodges said. "We're grabbing a cab as soon as you are ready to go. Doc and David will be down here any minute."
"Okay," said Greg, grabbing his suitcase and heading for the elevator. "Let me change and I"ll be down in ten minutes."
"Hurry up man, party's starting." Urged Hodges calling after the two. Laughing at Hodges, Morgan followed as Greg led them to the elevator.
"What's your room number?" He asked as the elevator doors closed.
"306." She replied, looking at the miniature folder holding her room key. "You?"
"308. I guess we're neighbors for the next two nights."
"You'd better keep it down then, Sanders. I don't want to hear any wild parties next door."
"No promises, Brody. I'm celebrating the end of my buddy's bachelor days. It may get wild." He grinned at her as the elevator dinged and the doors opened.
"You were supposed to get that whole bachelor party thing out of your system when Nick came to Vegas for his real bachelor party last month. I seem to remember I had to cover for your sorry ass when you were too hungover to go dumpster diving the next night." She smiled at him, to let him know she wasn't angry, as they walked down the hall to find their rooms.
"You're right. I'm sorry." He stopped as he approached room 306. "Here's your room. I guess I'd better get ready. Hodges and Henry seem super anxious to get going."
Instead of continuing on to his room, he lingered for a minute, seemingly not wanting his time with her to end. "Are you going to be alright waiting for the girls?"
"I'll be fine Greg, I'm just going to take a shower and get ready for drinks with the girls." She smiled as she put her key in the lock.
Once inside the room, she gave it a quick once over noting it was the standard hotel room. Something caught her eye as she walked through the little entrance way. Looking over, she noticed it was an adjoining door. Well, son of a gun. She thought. An adjoining door to Greg's room. If I was a certain type of girl, that would come in handy. She chuckled to herself as she put her suitcase on the bed carefully opening it and taking out her dress she planned to wear to the wedding. She walked by the adjoining door as she hung the dress up on the coat rack near the door. Her mind couldn't help but wander back to the adjoining door. She thought of Greg, probably in the shower by now. Morgan laughed as she shook her head. Get your head out of the gutter Brody. Grabbing her clothes and toiletry bag, she headed for the bathroom for her own cold shower.
Once cooled off after her shower, Morgan got dressed and was just about to dry her hair when she thought she heard a soft knock. She paused as she listened for it again. It was coming from the adjoining door. Greg! Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly unlocked her own door.
There he stood before her, sharply dressed in a black, long sleeved button up shirt, blue jeans and freshly gelled and washed hair. He gave her a sheepish look as she opened the door. "I just wanted to say have a good night." He paused for a second as he looked Morgan over. She'd put on a short black pencil skirt, paired with a red sleeveless blouse. Her face was free of make up. While her hair was brushed neatly, it was still wet from her shower. "You look very nice." He said with a small smile.
Inwardly Morgan felt a warmth spread through her body. "My hair is soaking wet and I'm only half ready. I don't have my make up or shoes on. But thanks though." She smiled up at him, framed in the door way. Just for a split second, she thought Greg was going to lean forward and kiss her. The air stilled as both of them froze in response to the sudden tension in the doorway.
Just then Morgan's phone beeped, announcing she'd received a text. Morgan turned to look at the phone on her bed, mentally cursing it. "That's probably one of the girls. I guess they've arrived."
"Have fun with the ladies tonight, and don't do anything I wouldn't do." Greg gave her a quick smirk.
Morgan raised an eyebrow in response.
"Okay, don't do anything I would do. Better?"
"Have fun Greg." She smiled in response as they shut their respective doors.
A few hours later, Morgan found herself at a swanky martini bar near the hotel. Sara, Catherine, Lindsay and Morgan all sat at a large wooden table, slightly sticky from spilled booze. Each of them were enjoying their second martini. As the booze flowed, tongues loosened and the girl talk began.
Lindsay had just finished telling the girls about her first date with a young policeman. By the blush on her cheeks and smile on her face, it didn't look like it was going to be her last either.
"We made plans to go out for coffee one night this week before shift." She admitted, blushing.
"Is any one else here winning the love lottery like Lindsay?" Asked Sara, looking over at Morgan.
Morgan caught Sara raising her eyebrows at her. "What? Me?" Sara nodded. "Nope, same old, same old. I'm rapidly becoming a spinster."
Sara frowned. "That's too bad. I was sure that you and Greg would have gotten together by now."
Mentally thanking the designers of the bar for the low lighting, Morgan couldn't help but blush. "No, we're just good friends."
"Poor Greg," Volunteered Lindsay. "Every once in a while I catch him giving you the cutest look when you're working. He's so smitten with you." Morgan's ears perked up with that and the alcohol in her second martini encouraged her to follow up on Lindsay's statement.
"Really?" She said, visibly perking up.
Lindsay laughed, "Really. I can't describe it. It's like a little half smile and he'll watch you work for a few seconds and then get back to work. The poor guy. Either ask him out or put him out of his misery. Would you ever go out on a date with him?" Lindsay ventured.
Yes! A little voice in her head screamed. She was saved momentarily from answering that, as the bartender delivered a third round of martinis. The four ladies, clinked their glasses together each took a sip.
"Well, Morgan?" Asked Sara, clearly not forgetting the question Lindsay asked before they were interrupted. "Greg's a great guy. I always thought there was something between you two. I thought you guys would have sorted it out by now."
Her cheeks were on fire now. Studying the martini glass carefully, Morgan avoided eye contact as she tried to figure out what to say. "I guess neither of us have ever asked the other one out." She said simply.
"Well one of you had better do it soon. Lindsay's right. The sexual tension in the lab is something else." Said Catherine, pointing her finger at Morgan. "You're no better than him. I see the glances you send his way when he's not looking."
Morgan blushed. Was she that obvious? "I do not!" Morgan said finally, before finally thinking of a way to change the subject. She turned to Sara for her turn to be quizzed.
Four martinis and a drunk cab ride home later, Morgan found herself in the lobby of the hotel, searching the vending machines for cold water. Trying to ward off a hangover, she purchased two bottles and made her way to the elevators. She was just about to press the button when a drunk voice behind her called out, "Hello beautiful!"
Turning around, she found Hodges, Henry and Greg drunkenly weaving their way towards her. Her face lit up as she saw Greg beaming a drunken smile. The sharply dressed man of a few hours ago now looked rumpled, disheveled and very drunk.
"Good evening, my lady." Drawled Hodges arriving at the elevator. "How was your night?"
"Good. Not as good as yours though." She replied, laughing at the three drunk men in front of her.
"Yeah" Said Hodges, slurring his words slightly, "Seeing Nick again was great. His soon to be wife came by the bar for a bit too." Hodges said. "She brought her sister. Her sister is now in love with me."
Morgan gave Hodges a skeptical look. "Really?"
"No, seriously. She introduced herself to us and she took a real shine to me. She sat with the three of us for the entire hour she was there. She's like a brunette Scarlett Johanssen. " Hodges got a far away look in his eyes, no doubt conjuring up a memory of this beautiful woman. "Holly." He whispered.
"She really did sit with us!" Exclaimed Henry. "But, It was Greg that she was after. Holly's single and like six feet tall and could model!" Henry gave Greg a punch on the arm, sending him staggering into Hodges.
Hodges nudged Greg back. "It was totally me she was after." He retorted to Henry.
Morgan suddenly felt a little pit in her stomach. A six foot tall woman, with movie star good looks was after her Greg?
"We played a game." Stated Henry, changing the subject abruptly. "We got Greg so drunk."
"He's the best man. He can't be hung over tomorrow. What did you guys do to him?" Asked Morgan, concerned for Greg, still staring at her and swaying ever so slightly.
"Oh, it was a great game. Every guy there had a word he was not allowed to say. If he said that word, he had to down a shot of tequila. My word was beer. I only said it once." Henry puffed himself up, obviously proud of avoiding the shots.
Morgan laughed, "What was your word Hodges?"
"For what it's worth." He replied. Expectantly, Morgan waited. "No, that's what it was. Apparently I say that too much." He rolled his eyes and waved his hands in a dismissive manor.
"What was yours, Greg?" She asked, looking back over at him. He was no longer looking at her, but staring at the light fixture above the elevator.
Hodges and Henry burst out laughing at the question. "Morgan!" They cried in unison. Greg blushed.
"He got that drunk on Morgan?" She exclaimed, incredulous.
"Well, we egged him on a bit. He's very happy to talk about you when he gets drunk apparently." Henry smiled. The alcohol he'd consumed made him a little more comfortable talking to Morgan. Consequently, he also couldn't realize when he'd said too much.
As much as it excited Morgan that Greg seemed to like talking about her, she wasn't drunk enough to forget that Greg needed to be feeling at least half decent for the next day's festivities.
"Okay, Lets get Greg into bed and get him sleeping off the booze." Morgan pressed the button for the elevator and the four of them rode up the elevator. Hodges and Henry still talking a mile a minute.
"I had a great time tonight." Declared Greg to no one in particular as the elevator stopped at their floor and the four tumbled out.
"Here, have a bottle of water." Morgan twisted off the top and handed it to Greg.
"Thank you." He said sincerely, gazing down at her like she'd offered him a cherished toy.
Morgan couldn't help but laugh. Even drunk, Greg was still sweet. He took a drink and stumbled a bit as he started to walk. Still feeling the effects of her martinis, she boldly put her arm around Greg's waist and walked with him to his door.
Hodges and Henry, who were wandering down the hallway a couple of steps ahead of her, didn't notice. Morgan pulled away reluctantly as Greg reached into his wallet for his key.
"Why don't you guys go? I'll get Greg into bed." Morgan said as she waited patiently for Greg to figure out the right way to insert the key.
Instantly Henry and Hodges started to smirk and elbow each other. Morgan regretted opening her big mouth.
"I've got the room next door and I'll be 2 minutes. I'm going to give him some asprin and make sure he gets to bed. The two of you got him drunk. I don't trust you guys. He's got a big day tomorrow and it looks like you two bozos are just as drunk as he is." She defended herself.
"I'm not a bozo." Henry said quietly, frowning. "Holly liked me."
"She did not, Deena's sister fancied me." Hodges announced.
"Go to bed!" Morgan ordered, pointing down the long hallway.
"Yes, Ma'am!" Replied the two, finally heading for their rooms.
Meanwhile Greg had gotten the hotel room door open and was standing in the foyer, drinking the water.
Morgan came to the door frame and looked up at him, still handsome and still drunk. "I see you had a good night." She smiled softly as Greg smiled softly back.
"Yeah, I do miss hanging out with Nick. It was like the good old days." He said with a nostalgic tone.
"I miss him too. But it's time to go to bed. Are you going to be okay if I leave you now?"
Greg turned to smile at her. "I will be fine. Thanks for making sure I was okay." Morgan turned around to walk away. At the door, Greg called out her name as she stepped into the hallway. Morgan turned around slowly, a little worried that Greg was going to plant a drunken kiss on her. A drunken kiss was not what she wanted. She had no idea how he really felt, but a drunken hook up wouldn't solve that question. Greg gazed at her with soft eyes. He reached out and engulfed Morgan in a hug. "You're an amazing woman, Morgan Brody. That's the reason I couldn't stop talking about you tonight. I love everything about you, from your beautiful blond hair to the way you pick through dumpster muck. I love you. I just thought you should know." With that said, released her from the hug, gave her one last smile and shut his door.
Stunned, Morgan stared at the closed door. She did not expect that. Her heart fluttered as she replayed what he'd just said. Face flushed, unsure of whether or not to accept a drunken declaration of love as proof that he had real feelings for her, or just a leftover joke from the guys night out, Morgan let herself into her own hotel room and got ready for bed.
Very late the next morning, a rude buzzing noise interrupted Morgan from a deep sleep. Groaning, she reached over to the nightstand and grabbed her phone to shut off her alarm. Her head throbbed from the multiple martinis and she craved a coffee. Slowly rising from the bed, she headed for the shower in an attempt to clear her foggy head.
Down in the lobby, she found some of her fellow CSI's in the little coffee shop, each of them with a large coffee in front of them. Morgan grabbed her coffee and walked over to their table. Some were in better shape than others. Young Lindsay was eating a breakfast sandwich with gusto as Hodges stared at her.
"How can you eat something like that after a night of drinking?' He groaned, resting his head in his hands. Beside him, Henry replied grumpily. "She's half your age. Give her twenty years and she'll be like us." Henry looked up and noticed Morgan slowly make her way into room.
"Good morning Morgan!" He waved her over.
Morgan managed a painful smile, slipping into a seat beside Greg. He gave her an embarrassed smile and returned to his coffee. "You seem awfully chipper this morning, Henry. What's your secret?" she asked grumpily.
"He's in love." Replied Catherine. She as well, seemed unaffected by her multiple martinis. "I've heard all about this mysterious Holly. Although, Hodges is still swearing that she's after him."
"No, no." Denied Henry, "She wants Greg."
Morgan just barely refrained from rolling her eyes. She really did not want to hear any more about this beautiful and mysterious Holly.
"Where's Gil and Sara?"
"They were here about ten minutes ago. They are going for a five kilometer run." Replied Catherine rolling her eyes.
"Ugh." came a voice beside her.
"That's the first thing I've heard you say this morning. How are you feeling?" She asked, turning to get a good look at him. His hair was unkempt and messy, giving him a mischievous look. The scowl on his face, ruined that look.
"I've been better. I just need to get this coffee into me and have a shower." He said, unable to meet her eyes.
"That's good to hear. According to your so-called friends, you had a lot to drink." Greg still didn't look up. Morgan was wondering if he had remembered what he'd said as she made sure he was going to stay in for the night. Greg tipped his head back and drained the remaining coffee from his cup.
"Time to get ready." Greg mumbled, and abruptly left the table.
Morgan didn't see Greg again until she was seated in the small hotel conference room that had been tastefully decorated to host a wedding. As the wedding music began to play, she, along with everyone in the room turned to watch the small wedding party come down the aisle. Two little girls, around six acted as flower girls. Dressed in identical white dresses, with eggplant coloured sashes, they gleefully tossed purple rose petals onto the runner, soaking up the attention of the crowd.
When the two girls reached the front of the alter, Greg and Holly appeared in the doorway. Greg, impeccably dressed in a dark grey suit, with matching eggplant coloured accessories, smiled as he took his first steps down the aisle. My god, he looks good. Thought Morgan. She then looked at the woman on Greg's arm. Morgan's eyes narrowed as she got her first look at Holly. Sure enough, the men had not exaggerated Holly's beauty. Morgan watched with envy as Holly glided down the aisle, one arm linked through Greg's. When Holly and Greg were almost beside Henry, sitting next to the aisle, Holly gave Henry a small smile. To Morgan's surprise, Henry didn't blush, but raised his arm a little and gave a small smile back. How about that? Thought Morgan. Henry really did hit it off with Holly. Smiling with relief, she returned to watch Greg reach the officiant and turn to face the guests.
Morgan found herself tearing up as the wedding progressed. Nick was grinning broadly at his new bride and she was crying tears of happiness as they said their vows. While the rest of the guests watched the wedding, Morgan watched Greg, standing in support of his friend. Her mind wandered, wondering what it would be like if she was up there, saying those words to him? She smiled wistfully at him as she continued to watch his handsome face, smiling at his friend.
Greg turned his attention to the guests, and found Morgan watching him with a soft smile on her face. He smiled back, noticing how beautiful she looked, with her blond curls framing her face.
Embarrassed she'd been caught staring, Morgan quickly smiled back and averted her eyes back to the two being married.
After Nick and Deena had officially become husband and wife, the wedding party mingled with the guests in the room for a bit. Morgan noticed Greg and Holly making their way to the group of CSI's in a corner, having a drink.
"It's safe to drink again?" chuckled Greg, coming over to Morgan.
Morgan raised her glass in a mock toast. Greg smirked and then turned his attention to Holly.
"Morgan, this is Holly, Deena's sister. " He said gesturing to Holly with a smile.
"Hi Morgan. I heard all about you last night. It's nice to finally meet you." Holly smiled and extended her hand. Beside her, Greg blushed and looked at the floor.
Morgan laughed. "I heard all about you last night as well. You made quite the impression on the three drunk men I saw last night."
Just then Henry came up to the three of them, with two glasses of champagne in his hand. "I thought you may want a drink." He said to Holly.
"Thanks Henry." Holly replied, returning Henry's smile. She reached for the glass Henry was holding for her. "Shall we go see if we can grab a quick bite before I'm needed for some photos? I haven't eaten all day, I'm starving!" Henry smiled and to Morgan's surprise, he put his arm around Holly's waist and led her away, leaving Morgan and Greg standing awkwardly together.
Greg shuffled his feet and took a deep breath, knowing he was had to say something about his drunken declaration of love. The memory was a bit fuzzy, but he remembered telling Morgan he loved her. At least he thought he did. Morgan didn't say much that morning, but he couldn't tell if she was hungover or embarrassed. He also knew he hadn't given her a chance to say anything. He'd practically ran from the table this morning.
"Hey," He said quietly, not quite meeting Morgan's gaze. "I just want to apologize if I said anything inappropriate last night."
Morgan took a step closer. Greg looked so embarrassed and Morgan couldn't help but feel bad for him. She laid her hand softly on his elbow. "Greg, I don't know what you think you said, but you didn't say anything I didn't already know." She leaned forward a little more and said even more softly. "But we can talk more about that later."
Greg looked up in surprise. She was so close to him, but still just far enough away. It reminded him of the time she gave him Frank Sinatra's record in the locker room at work. He could have sworn she was trying to tell him something back then too. Just then, he felt a hand slap his back. With a quick start, her turned around to find Nick, grinning wildly at the two of them.
"How's it going everyone?" He said loudly as the CSI's all came over to hug him and congratulate him. The team wished him well and made small talk for a few minutes before Nick collected Greg and went off for a few photos.
After a dinner of real Southern Barbecue, short but sweet speeches by the family and newlyweds, the lights dimmed, the music started and the married couple had their first dance as husband and wife. Morgan watched Nick gracefully lead his new wife around the dance floor, surprised how good of a dancer he was.
"Mind if I join you lovely ladies?" Whispered a voice behind her. Morgan jumped and turned around. Greg had come up from behind, placing one arm around her and the other arm around Lindsay, who was sitting beside Morgan. "Nick has officially released me from Best Man duties and told me to come sit with my lovely co-workers." Nick had actually told Greg to get over there and make a move on Morgan, but Greg thought he should keep that part to himself. A couple of glasses of wine during dinner had allowed him to relax about what he said to Morgan. She didn't seem to be too put off about it.
"Absolutely! Pull up a chair!" Joked Lindsay. She moved her chair away from Morgan, giving her a broad wink as Greg grabbed a chair from a neighboring table. He came back over, sitting between Morgan and Lindsay. The three of them conversed, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Every once in a while, Morgan noticed Greg's eyes turn towards her and meander down to her cleavage. Lindsay noticed one time and was barely able to suppress a snort of laughter. She quickly reached for a glass of wine to cover herself up. Draining the glass, Lindsay announced she was heading to the bar to grab some more booze.
Greg watched Lindsay make her way to the bar before turning his attention back to Morgan. "Have you seen the gardens outside yet?" He asked her. "We took some photos out there earlier. They are quite nice. Do you want to go see them?"
Morgan smiled. 'Yeah, It's a little stuffy here. I could use a little fresh air. Lets go."
Greg rose from his chair, extending his hand for her. Instead of letting go once she stood up, she held on to his hand as they walked through the doors of the wedding, through the hallway and outside.
Once outside, Morgan found herself walking through a beautifully landscaped garden with both small plants and trees on either side of a stone pathway. The trees were all decorated in tiny white lights.
"Are you having a good time?" Asked Greg.
"I am having a really good time." Morgan replied, aware that she and Greg were still holding hands.
Neither of them felt the need to say anything more as they walked slowly down the stone pathway. Either from the alcohol or emboldened from Greg's drunken admission, Morgan leaned into Greg as the walked, closing the gap between them. Her heart sped up as her body tingled with anticipation. She looked up at Greg wondering if he felt the same way as her. She was surprised to see he was looking down at her. He let go of her hand and put his arm around her shoulders, keeping her close to him.
"Do you want to go see where we had some wedding photos taken?" he asked her.
She slipped her arm around his waist and replied. "I do."
He walked her further down the pathway. One of the branches off of the pathway lead to a small circular area of interlocking brick with a lush garden landscaped around the edges of the brick. Western redbud trees, complete with their bright magenta flowers provided a stunning background.
"Wow!" Breathed Morgan, coming to a stop at the entrance. "Nick and Deena's wedding photos are going to be stunning."
"Mmmm." Replied Greg, clearly not interested in wedding photos. He led her closer to the trees, the area provided a little more privacy than standing on the main path.
Instantly Morgan figured out why he wanted to take her here. He still had his arm around her shoulder and hers was around his waist. She glanced up at Greg, who had glided his hand downward to her lower back. There was no chance she was misreading his intentions.
"Morgan," He whispered, placing his other hand on her waist. Briefly, Morgan closed her eyes at his touch. She leaned closer, moving her arms up and joining them behind Greg's neck. Deciding not to let him speak, Morgan leaned in and gave him a kiss on the lips. She moved her head slightly away to gauge Greg's reaction. A slow smile spread over his face. Morgan couldn't help but smile in response.