"Turn out the lights now
To see is to believe
I just want you near me
I just want you here with me
And I'd give up everything only for you
It's the least that I could do"
- Michelle Branch ("I'd Rather Be in Love")
She pulls away from him, breaking their passionate kiss. Confusion clouds his cobalt eyes, though their bodies are still melded together, conformed in perfection. She has a sudden urge to play pool, she announces boldly. His eyebrows cock in amusement. How funny, he happens to know a place where they can play pool any time of the day. Grabbing her hand, he eagerly leads her off the curb to hail a cab. She giggles at him, wait, she has to pick up his coat. Forget the coat, he says as he holds open the door for her. She rolls her eyes as she goes back to grab the discarded garment and wrap it around her shoulders again.
They are silent during the ride back to his apartment. Their fingers entangled, her head resting on his shoulder most of the way. She sneaks smells of his coat and his neck, savoring the nearness of him. He kisses their conjoined hands and top of her head from time to time, murmuring into her ear that he has missed her. Though he longs to say the words, he cannot bring himself to tell her that he loves her. Not yet. He does not want to frighten her. They are still slowly finding their way back, falling into a comfortable rhythm, feeling safe and secure in the other's presence.
Lindsay waits on the curb excitedly, bouncing from side to side as Danny pays the driver. He takes her hand again and guides her inside the building. Nervousness and tension are mounting. The anticipation is arousing all five of their senses. In the quiet, confined space of the elevator, they both quietly recall what happened the last time they played pool in his apartment, wondering and hoping if tonight will be an encore performance. The night that they become whole. The night they become complete.
As they rush out of the elevator and towards Danny's door, a familiar scent assaults Lindsay. Danny opens his door and ushers Lindsay inside as he nods to the dark haired woman passing them in the hallway, taking out her trash for the evening. He bids her a good evening as she does the same before he hurriedly shuts his door. He clicks the lights on, is she ready for some pool?
It suddenly occurs to Lindsay why she recognizes the perfume. A mixture of emotions rolls over her. She now has a name and face to place with the smell. Does she feel anger? Does she feel jealousy? Can she really blame either Danny or Rikki Sandoval for finding solace in each other? Her head spins violently, her shoulders slump slightly. No, she decides, she suddenly feels tired. Can he please just hold her tonight?