Apologize for the delay for a new chapter, real life is getting busy again.
Thank you all for your continued interest in this story. Again, I appreciate all your comments and kudos so much. It means the world to me.
As always my gratitude to Jammequin for encouraging me to keep writing and to my wonderful beta heatherpeters.
*** I do not own the Blacklist or any of its characters. ***
"He took you where?" Samar said out loud.
"The Saint Laurent on the Upper Westside," Liz replied.
Both friends were having lunch the next day, discussing the events of the night before. Samar had been waiting all evening just in case Liz called, but when she fell asleep at midnight she hadn't heard from her. Now she wanted the scoop on everything.
"Are you kidding me? That place is the hottest new restaurant in town, it takes months to get a reservation there. From what I've heard, one of the most expensive French restaurants in the city. So how was it? What did you eat?"
"Honestly Samar, I don't know. Reddington ordered for me, it was a five course dinner, all with selected wines accompanying each course, and it all tasted so delicious, it just seemed like a trip on my taste buds. And time just flew by. Before I knew it, it was past midnight and he took me back to my apartment. He really is a gentleman, I had no idea."
"So wait, this was like a date?" Samar asked with a questioned look.
"Of course not, we discussed my thesis and that was it. It just happened to be in a restaurant," Liz answered.
"Well, girl," Samar replied with a smile. "My mentor asked me to come in during office hours and just gave me a file with info on the Blacklister I'm assigned to, for my thesis; told me to email him if I had any questions. No restaurants, no dresses, no selected wines…. Are you sure there's nothing else going on?"
"Of course not," Liz answered. "Now how about we get started on that assignment Cooper gave us? Remember that class you skipped because you had other things going on?"
Reddington hadn't slept at all the night before. By the time he returned to his apartment, it was already past 1 am and he was unable to get her out of his mind.
He'd walked her to the front door to make sure she entered her apartment without incident. The area was safe and well lit.
He was happy she had enjoyed dinner. They'd enjoyed wine all evening and he now noticed she was feeling the effects of the alcohol, even though she denied it.
"Well Mister Reddington, thank you for a pleasant evening." Elizabeth fumbled a bit as she managed to put the key in the lock.
"It was my pleasure; I am glad you enjoyed it," he replied. "Are you going to be ok or do you need some help?"
"Yes, I am just up the stairs, so I'll be fine. Thank you for walking me to my door." She felt a little uneasy. Was she supposed to kiss him goodnight? After all, he just treated her to the nicest meal she has had in years and she didn't even want to think about what it had cost him.
"Well Miss Milhoan, I wish you a goodnight. I hope you sleep well. May I suggest to take an aspirin before you go to bed?" he smiled. "I look forward to working with you this year on your thesis. We are going to make a great team." Reddington adjusted the brim of his hat and turned to enter his car.
"Mister Reddington?" Liz asked.
"Yes?" he asked when he turned around. Elizabeth softly kissed him on the cheek and said "Thank you again for tonight, I will see you soon." She walked inside and closed the door. Reddington stared at the closed door for long moments before he made his way to his car.
He went back to his apartment, poured himself a scotch and sat in his large leather couch, thinking back to that kiss she gave him. He could still feel her warm lips on his cheeks and knew for sure he was in deep trouble.
He lifted his glass to a picture of a blond man and a young girl on the shelf above the fireplace and toasted. "Sam my friend, she became everything you wanted her to be. I finally had a chance to see her. There's a fire inside she got from you. She's volatile, unpredictable, soft, and hard, and... soft again. Stronger than she knows. You gave her an incredible gift, Sam. Taking her in and loving her as your own."
He finished his scotch in one swallow and filled up the glass again.
TBC