Lanie leaned over the body on the table and continued sewing up the incision. She glanced at the clock. 12:15…. She better have a good reason for standing me up. No call, no text. Katie girl, where are you?
Just then, the doors to the morgue opened, and Beckett appeared with a bag. "Sorry Lanie, I lost track of time."
"Mhm…last night must have been pretty great to have you late for lunch with your best friend. I want details, girl." Lanie said with a smile. She removed her gloves, threw them in the trash, and walked closer to Kate.
She peeked into the bag and plucked it from Kate's hand. "Chinese, huh? You must really be sorry for being so late. "
"Like I said, I lost track of time. My alarm didn't go off and I was still in bed at 10.30."
"So?"
"What Lanie?"
"How was your date with Brad last night? It must have been pretty great if you didn't get out of bed until 10:30. No amount of Chinese food will replace good old-fashioned details so spill it." Lanie ordered as she took the food from the bag. They both grabbed a container and opened them. With chopsticks in hand, Kate started to talk.
How am I going to play this…I'm dying to tell her what happened, but want to keep her waiting.
"We went this restaurant called DRAGO that was on the list of Top Ten most romantic restaurants in the city. The place looked great, the menu was amazing and we were getting to know each other. Then, as we were waiting to be seated, guess who walks in?"
"Who?"
"Take a guess." Kate teased.
"The Pope."
"No, Lanie, It was Castle."
"Castle? Why would he be there?"
"He was on a date, with Bachelorette #3. Some gorgeous blonde bimbo."
Lanie chuckled at the remark. "Jealous?"
"No, it just frustrated me. He keeps showing up and it's annoying." Kate said, rolling her eyes.
"Mhm…you don't look very annoyed right now." Lanie said as she looked at her friend. She was great at keeping things to herself, but it was a matter of time before Lanie got her to spill."
"Anyway, Ryan and Esposito got a lead in the case and we ended up cutting our dates short."
"You're telling me you left Brad Dekker in the restaurant alone?"
"He wasn't alone, Lanie. He was with Bachelorette #3." Kate replied as she took another bite of her lunch. "I don't think he was missing me very much after that."
"So you and Castle left the restaurant together?"
"Yes, to catch the killer. We wouldn't have figured it out either but Castle's theory proved correct, yet again."
"Then…"
"Then what, Lanie? We solved the case and went for burgers. It's not like we've never done that before."
"Girl, Imma smack you!"
"What did I do now?" Kate said as she put her food down.
"Are you going to tell me that you left the restaurant with Castle, solved the case, and then just had burgers?" Lanie put her hands up and made quotes with the word burgers.
"Well, that's how we started out." Kate said, finally letting the sparkle back into her eyes.
"So, tell me more already." Curiosity was getting the better of Lanie.
"More of what Lanie?" Kate was enjoying this torture almost as much as torturing Castle.
"What happened last night!" Lanie said, practically yelling at her friend.
"We went to Remy's and ended up closing the place. I know you've eaten there a bunch of times, but have you ever had their Chocolate Orgasm dessert?" Kate asked with a huge grin as she took another bite of food.
"No, can't say that I have. By the look on your face, I don't think that's the only orgasm you had last night."
"Well, technically it was this morning." Kate replied and Lanie spit out her food.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"What do you think I'm saying?" Kate was enjoying making her friend wait for details.
"You and Castle left your dates, solved the case, went out to eat, and had an amazing night together that included sex. Didn't you?"
"You forgot about breakfast."
"Who cooked?"
"I did, and Lanie, there was whipped cream involved."
Lanie wasn't sure whether to hug or smack Kate. She decided to hug her.
"It's about damn time!" She said as she hugged her friend. "You know I want details."
"Lanie, you know I'm not one to kiss and tell, but after dessert last night, I decided that I was going to go for it. Test the waters so to speak. So, we kissed in the car and I invited him up. The rest just fell into place."
"Wait, so where is he now?" Lanie said as she pulled back.
"He was leaving my place when I did, why?"
"You mean to tell me you left that delicious man in your house to have lunch with me? I don't know if I should be honored or ashamed of you."
"I can't answer that. If I hadn't left to meet you, I'd probably still be in bed." Kate said with a smile. Her face lit up and Lanie had never seen her friend happier.
"In that case, I forgive you for being late, and thanks for lunch."
"Anytime Lanie." Kate said as she hugged her friend. Then, as she pulled away she said quietly with a glimmer in her eye, "Did you know Castle has a tattoo?"