Chapter 3: Conversations and Plans
Tommy Hagrid topped off Bobby's beer, picked up Alex's margarita, and headed back towards the table. He couldn't help but smile when thinking of his two favorite detectives. Over the past several years he had gotten to know Goren and Eames pretty well - at least well enough to nickname them "The Dynamic Duo" and use it without worry in their presence. He chuckled as he recalled the first time he had let that slip in front of them. If only I'd had a camera – the looks on their faces were priceless. Tommy stepped through the archway that separated the bar from the back room and headed towards his friends. Goren had turned around, his back to Alex and was shaking hands with a striking young lady seated at the table closest to the stage. Shaking my ass, Tommy retorted in his head, Bobby was outright grasping her hand.
"Well, it looks like you two have made some new friends," Tommy said as he set the glasses on the table, shooting a wink at Eames. "Unless this lovely lady is causing some sort of trouble, Bobby."
Goren, still transfixed by the woman in front of him, didn't even acknowledge Tommy's presence.
"Oh, no trouble, Tommy," Alex answered for him with a nod in her partners direction. "This is one of our newest recruits, Andrew Haversham, and his sister, Anna."
Tommy reached a hand out and introduced himself to Drew, smiling as the young man reciprocated warmly. He then moved to his right, extending his hand to Anna.
There was only one thing in the way of their introduction.
From the moment his hand had touched hers, Anna knew that this man was different. Her hand was dwarfed in his, but the way he held it was so soft and gentle that she hardly felt a thing. Well, she definitely felt something, but it wasn't pain or discomfort. The warmth she had felt from their first touch had moved up her arm and spread to her neck, slowly making its way down into her chest. She was beginning to find it hard to breathe and her face was flushed. Anna had noticed the arrival of their host and faintly heard him introduce himself to her brother; she knew it was only proper that she offer her hand and return his greeting. But, that meant she'd have to let go of Goren's hand.
Bobby had lost himself in her touch. The second Anna's long, delicate fingers had brushed his palm he had ceased to register – or care – what was happening around him. All he wanted was to feel her skin against his and surrender himself to her eyes again. Her hands were so warm and soft, like a fuzzy blanket right out of the dryer. Anna had enveloped him in that warmth, first with her eyes and now with her hand. If she can make me feel this way here, in a public place, with just a handshake, he imagined to himself, how could she make me feel if we were alone? He glanced back up, searching for her eyes; but she wasn't looking at him anymore and he could feel her gently removing her hand from his.
"Nice to meet you, Tommy," Anna said as she reached towards the stout, white-haired gentleman now at her side. "Wonderful place you have here."
"Why thank you, pretty lady! Having someone as lovely as you here always makes this place seem much more entertaining." As he took her hand, he stole a glance at Bobby. The detective looked positively crushed.
Alex had noticed her partners' reaction to Anna's change of focus. Oh, brother, this is bad. I'd better do something before he has a conniption of some sort.
"So, Tommy, what's the special tonight? Bobby and I are absolutely ravenous."
Her comment seemed to get through to Bobby. He looked back towards her, then back up. "Yea, Tommy, what's good tonight?" he managed to utter.
"Well, everything is good tonight, friend, but the special is Margaret's Homemade Shepherds Pie."
"And it's absolutely delicious," said Andrew, holding up a spoonful of his now half eaten dinner. "I highly recommend it."
"I'll take it," Bobby replied, grateful for the suggestion. Since he had first seen Anna, he had all but forgotten the reason for their visit and hadn't even bothered to look over the pub's Friday fare.
"Make it two," Alex told Tommy, as she handed him her and Bobby's menus.
"Coming right up." He began to turn towards the kitchen. Then he remembered Bobby's crestfallen face and had an idea. He gestured toward Alex. "Since you all seem to be getting along so well, you should put your tables together."
"That sounds like a great idea. No reason to give ourselves a crick in the neck from turning back and forth." Alex replied with a smile. And thank God for you, Tommy, because my partner is G-O-N-E.
As Tommy headed off to get the detectives dinner, the two couples stood and began to arrange their tables. Drew and Anna rotated theirs to the left, placing Anna's chair out into the room where she was facing the wall, and took their seats. Bobby and Alex did the same. Just as they started to move their chairs into place, Alex caught sight of Bobby. He had a disgruntled look on his face and was beginning to fidget with his hands. What is his problem now? Alex thought. She was beginning to get irritated.
She followed his eyes down to the now side by side tables. Drew's bowl of Shepherd's Pie, spoon tucked on the side, sat next to Bobby's beer. Alex's margarita was now across from Bobby's drink close to Anna's glass. Ah-hah … she gave her partner a knowing glance. Bobby's lips began to turn up into a sheepish smile.
"You know I never like facing a wall, Bobby," Alex said in reply to her partners' silent plea. "Let's switch places." She gave him another look – one that he instantly recognized - You owe me, buddy, you owe me BIG time.
Anna took a moment to catch her breath as the detectives settled into their seats. She had felt Bobby was different before, but after seeing him standing at his full 6 feet 4 inches, she knew it. This man, his touch gentle as a whisper on her skin, was quite the physical specimen; broad shoulders, strong arms, and long legs all in perfect proportion. He obviously enjoyed his share of good food, but the extra weight only added to the total package. A wicked smile crossed her lips. God, Anna! You met this guy 15 minutes ago – stop thinking about his package! Bobby Goren and his package were now seated beside her.
"What's so funny?" Bobby's smiling eyes met hers.
"Oh, nothing," her eyes smiled back. "I was just thinking how fortunate it is that we all ran into each other."
"I don't think your skirt would consider this," he said as he waved his hands in the air, "fortunate."
"I think my skirt will get over it." she replied with a chuckle.
"I am really sorry about that," he said softly, gesturing to the small stain that had missed her napkin. "Let me pay to have it cleaned."
"Oh, no, it's fine."
"But…" he leaned a little closer "… it will make me feel better." Bobby was close enough to smell her perfume. Lilacs, she smells like lilacs. God, she smells as good as she looks.
"Okay… but only if it will make you feel better. Should I have Drew bring you the bill?" Anna asked, taking a sip of her wine.
Goren was caught a bit off guard. He had forgotten that he worked with her brother and that it provided another avenue of resolution to the "skirt" issue. His plan had been to suggest he come by and get the garment, have it cleaned, and meet again so he could return it. That way he was guaranteed at least one, if not two, less clumsy meetings with this enchanting creature. Stop drooling over her and think, Goren. This isn't getting you where you want – need – to go. Anna was still looking at him, waiting for his answer.
She noticed that the detective was looking a little frustrated. He seemed to be having some sort of argument with himself inside his head. She went back over their short conversation. He feels bad about the stain, wants to do the gentlemanly thing, and obviously – her heart leapt with the thought - likes my perfume. Why is he suddenly so ill at ease? She smiled to herself. He wants to see me again, wants to make a better impression. If I give Drew the bill…then he has lost his "excuse." Anna's thoughts returned to the present as he started to answer her.
"Well, uhm, sure, if that's how you'd like to handle it." He had put the ball back in her court. He prayed she would lob it back.
"And how, pray tell, would you like to handle it, detective?"
Relief flooded his face. Nice shot, he thought as he began to answer. "Well, I was actually thinking…"
A shrill chirp from across the table interrupted him.
Andrew and Alex sat quietly across the table, Alex nursing her drink and Drew finishing off what was left of his dinner. They had both had the same idea: keep quiet, don't interrupt, and let them go at it. Alex, for one, was grateful. She was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to eat, drink, and go home to bed. She glanced at Drew, who had cleaned his plate and was now perusing the dessert menu in the center of the table. He looked up at Alex and smiled.
"I don't know why I am looking at this," he sat the menu back down. "I'm stuffed."
"I hope our food gets here soon," Alex replied as her stomach began to grumble. "I am ready to pass out from hunger."
Both of their heads turned when they heard a chuckle from across the table. Bobby was moving closer to Anna. They looked back at each other and exchanged knowing smiles.
Evidently he's enjoying the floor show as much as I am, Alex thought, giving the rookie a poke in the arm. Drew sat back in his chair, at ease with her partners' obvious attraction to his sister. Alex glanced back at Bobby and Anna. Things seemed to be going well, especially considering how Bobby had knocked her birthday dinner in her lap and then proceeded to act like a 15 year old. Nice recovery, Valentino… Then her cell phone rang.
Bobby's attention shifted quickly from Anna to her. Alex rolled her eyes, groaning as she flipped it open.
"Eames."
"Alex, I hate to call you back out," she cringed at the sound of Captain Jimmy Deakins voice. "But a situation has come up with your court case." She glanced up at Bobby. He looked livid.
"Okay, what do you need?"
Deakins explained the complication and told her, not without regret, that her and Bobby's presence was required back at Carvers' office. She closed the phone, looked up at her partner, and relayed the captains' request. The look on his face took her aback. Geez, Goren, don't shoot the messenger.
"I'm afraid we have to go," Alex sighed as she stood up. "Seems the D.A. needs our assistance on a case we have at trial."
Andrew rose beside her and helped her on with her coat. "Too bad," he said. "I was hoping you'd get to share some birthday cake with Anna and me."
Alex murmured her thanks, told Drew she'd see him at work, and headed to the bar to tell Tommy to cancel their order. She waited there for her partner to say his goodbyes.
Bobby rubbed his face in frustration. He had just started to relax and enjoy his evening in the company of this beautiful woman. Despite the initial awkwardness of their meeting and his juvenile reaction to her, he had managed to turn their conversation in his favor and was looking forward to whatever result awaited. He turned back to Anna. He didn't want to say what he had to say.
"I'm sorry," was the only thing he could think of. "We were just starting to…"
"It's okay, detective," she said with a wistful smile. "I understand."
"I still want to take care of that," he pointed down at her skirt. "It's the least I can do for ruining your birthday dinner."
"You didn't ruin anything. In fact, this has been one of my more memorable birthdays of late."
"Well, I'm relieved to hear that, but I …I still want to…"
"You still want…?" she locked her eyes with his and grinned.
"I… " Oh, spit it out, stupid! "I want… to… see you again."
"I'd like to see you again, too, detective." she blushed but still held his eyes.
"You… you do?" There is a God!
"Yes."
Bobby quickly grabbed his jacket, mouthed a goodbye to Drew, and turned back to Anna.
"So, I can call you? We'll have dinner or something?"
"Yes, detective." Anna found herself stifling laughter for the second time that night.
"Please, call me Bobby."
"Yes, Bobby." Her face was turning red.
"Okay… Uh…" he was grinning sheepishly, backing away towards the bar.
"Goodnight, Bobby and be careful." Anna's eyes were starting to water.
"Goodnight, Anna. And," He took three steps back towards her, leaned down and whispered, "Happy Birthday." And then he was gone.
Anna and Drew stood for a moment, staring after the big detective. Then they eased back into their chairs and looked at each other. They both busted out laughing.