Vincent opened the door letting the cold winter air enter the warm diner. Catherine shivered and leaned closer to him as they stepped out together with arms linked together.
"You're cold," Vincent paused and turned to her. "Here, take my jacket."
"Oh, no. I'm fine, Vincent," she waved her hands back and forth in front of her.
"You're shivering. It'll only take a few seconds," Vincent didn't take no for an answer as he released the bag off his shoulders and removed the only jacket he owned. "Here," he said as he held the jacket up for her and gave her a stern look. "I'd hate for you to get sick. Perhaps next time I'll do better and hail us a cab instead of walking."
"Thank you," Catherine didn't dare defy him. She turned around and put the warm jacket on that smelled strongly of his scent. It was a mixture of cologne and her rose which she spotted in the inside pocket. She pulled out the rose and smelled it before turning back to him. "There was no need for a cab. I enjoyed walking through the city and the company wasn't half bad."
"Wasn't half bad?" he joked as he placed her bag over his shoulder again. "Is that all I was?"
Catherine shook her head as she laughed. "You're more than that, Vincent. You've been the best date a girl could ever ask for."
BATB
Catherine stopped, with arms looped around his, in front of an old brownstone apartment building. It stood high amongst the other structures but didn't dare draw any attention to itself. It was old with character much richer than all of the tenants combined who owed more than an arm and leg due to student loans they racked up over the years. Many college students came and left, leaving nothing but memories of the time they spent working to achieve their goals and dreams.
"Well this is home sweet home," Catherine turned towards the door. "Well, technically up there. Fifth floor," she pointed up high towards the fire escape.
"I guess this is it," Vincent said slowly as he paused at each word and hoped to extend their time together.
Catherine bit her lip and squeezed his arm as she contemplated the end of the night. She, too, didn't want it to end. "Would you like to come up for a drink?"
"You mean like a nightcap?"
Catherine giggled at the word. It was something she only heard from her father and grandfathers but not someone young. "Yea," she nodded. "A nightcap."
"Don't you have more studying to do? I'd hate to take more of your time," he cringed at the lie when all he wanted to do was spend more time with her.
"Studying can wait. There's always tomorrow. Besides, after what happened with Tess, I can really use a drink."
Vincent stood awkwardly beside her but latched on to her arm as if he didn't want to let go. "You never did say what happened. I hope everything is okay. I wouldn't want to come between friends."
"Tess is stubborn, I admit that but she's also a good friend. We may butt heads from time to time but we always get through it and I know that she'll soon see you the way I do. You're a great guy, Vincent. There's no doubt in my mind about that."
"Are you sure?"
"About the nightcap, as you called it or about Tess or how I feel about you?"
Vincent smiled at her response. She sure didn't miss a beat. "All of the above."
"Yes, I definitely need a drink. There's no question about it. As for Tess, we might need to do some convincing that you are a great guy but that won't be too difficult," Catherine squeezed his arm for reassurance.
"We?"
"Yes. We. That's if you want the same thing I do."
Vincent nodded. "Of course. I like the sound of we," he smiled, not being able to contain his excitement. "We," he repeated. "I like it. So do we have a plan on how to convince Tess to like me?"
"Oui, misour."
"French," Vincent licked his lips.
"That's not the only French I know," Catherine smirked and winked, teasing him before she turned away to unlock the door.
"Hmm," something deep within him purred. "Maybe you'd like to teach me some French later," he whispered in her ear as she opened the door causing her heartbeat to rise.
Catherine turned to him and met his golden iris that was burning with lust. "We better get out of here before anyone sees. Come on," she grabbed his hand and pushed the door wide open.
