Scene 5

August 14, 2008 (Evening)…

Gil was at his desk completing paperwork when he looked up to see Catherine coming through the door wearing an 'I know something' smile.

He turned his eyes back to his work as she closed his office door and walked over to place her palms on the edge of his desk leaning in close to see what he was working on. Without looking up he asked, "What's on your mind Catherine?"

"What'd you do this afternoon before coming in?" she asked trying a little too hard to sound casual.

"I slept. And…what'd you do Cath?" He asked pointedly while he silently wondered where this chat was leading.

He didn't have to wait too long to find out.

"I had lunch with your girlfriend." She said matter-of-factly and waited with baited breath for his response. For a second there was no reply at all, and she resisted the urge to drum her fingernails on his desktop.

Then from behind the page he held came; "Did you two ladies enjoy yourselves?"

Catherine was momentarily stunned, and then, catching him completely off guard, she gently tugged the page from his grasp, leaned forward, and kissed his cheek.

"Hey; what was that for?"

"That…was for not denying that you have a girlfriend."

"Catherine… not volunteering information and lying are to different things. I may not voluntarily discuss Heather, or our relationship, but I won't deny it either."

"Good, I'm glad to hear that because, yes we had a nice time and I like her Griss. Be good to her. She's good for you. Where are you taking her?"

"I'm…taking her somewhere?"

"For her birthday; you dope."

"Oh… Oooh no; that is supposed to be a surprise for her. I'm not telling you so that you can run and tell her." Gil shook his finger at her and grinned. "Nice try though."

"Aww, c'mon Gil," Catherine pleaded "I won't tell…I promise." She flashed him her best 'I'm innocent as can be' look. "She told me to get her number from you when I was free to do lunch again. You don't have to give it to me until after the big day if you want, but I promise I'm not acting on her behalf…as a snoop."

"Here." He jotted down the number on a note pad, tore out the page and handed it over.

"Really? You're just going to hand it over that easily? She eyed him curiously.

He shrugged. "I believe that you aren't being a snoop. If you were; my refusing to supply you with the number wouldn't stop you from contacting her anyway, and…I'm still not telling you."

"Well alright." Catherine said sounding dejected. She turned to leave; her fishing expedition was over. Once at the door she leaned on the frame and added a parting comment. "Gil, wherever you are taking her, I hope it's some place extravagant. I got the feeling talking to her that she's really excited. She said it's a formal event and…she's even having her dress custom tailored for the occasion.

Gil's mouth dropped open.

Catherine smiled flirtatiously. "My guess is, knowing Heather, it's black, elegant, and…stunning."

With those final words Catherine was gone; leaving her boss alone with the image of Heather in a sleek black evening gown heating up his mind and his body.