Chapter 7

Alan left early on Monday morning. He had to get home to dress for the first day at his new job. As he kissed Laura goodbye she asked him if they could have dinner to celebrate his first day.

He pulled her to him, deepening the kiss. "I thought you'd never ask."

"I'll cook."

"I'll bring a bottle."

Pushing up to kiss him again, "And a bag, that way you won't have to leave quite so early."

Through the euphoric haze of her weekend, Laura didn't once think of Robbie. She'd gone about her day not sparing a single thought for him. It wasn't until she was leaving for the day that she ran into him. He was waiting for her.

She thought of all of the times he'd waited for her in the exact spot. Each time it made her heart flutter. Today there was nothing. Her heart beat a steady, normal rhythm. "How was your holiday?"

Nervously, he smiled, "It was good, relaxing. I don't think I knew how much I needed to get away."

"I'm glad."

"Katharine told me you stopped by." He lifted his hand, flexing the fingers, "See all healed."

"But still no violin?"

He laughed, "No, no violin."

Their eyes met, held for a moment. There was a tinge of sadness in his eyes. At one time, she would have melted at his look. But now, he just stood between her and her evening. There was simply no need to make this harder than necessary. "It's OK, Robbie. I understand."

He shook his head, a sad smile, "I'm…"

She raised her hand, "There's no need. It's not as if we…"

"But there was a moment?"

Shrugging, "Moments pass. Friends?"

He smiled at her echo of his own words to Katharine. It really was this simple. "Of course, always."

She motioned toward the door, "I have plans, I need to go."

"Yeah of course." He opened the door, letting her go through it, "I'll see you around."

She was stirring a sauce when he knocked on the door. "It's open."

Alan let himself in and joined her in the kitchen. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he kissed her neck tenderly. "As an officer of the law, I really should advise against letting unknown people into your house."

Looking over her shoulder, "What?"

"You yelled for me to come in, I could have been one of your infamous axe murderers."

"No, I understood that part. An officer of the law?"

He nodded, kissing the tip of her nose. "Detective Inspector Alan Peterson, at your service."

She laughed, turning in his arms, "Dr. Laura Hobson, Chief Medical Examiner. Got any dead or mutilated bodies, I'm your girl."

"Are you?"

"Am I what?"

Pulling her more tightly to him, "My girl?"

Advice she'd been given years ago came back to her. The little voice in the back of her head screamed to her. Smiling, she echoed it, "Yes, I think I am."