CHAPTER 2
"Stella," Flack muttered under his breath.
He remembered back two hours as he was leaving PD with Danny. Stella was just heading to Mac's office. Don remembered how taken aback he was at seeing her stunning figure in that black dress and seeing her all made up for her date. He was now confused as to why she was walking the streets of New York on her own. His thoughts turned to worry as he darted across the road, dodging cars.
"Stella" he shouted softly down the street, but she kept on walking. He jogged to catch up with her. He didn't want to scare her so he shouted softly again when he was a few metres behind her. She heard this time and turned her head.
"Stell, what are you doing here? You OK?" Don asked a little breathlessly, from running and the worry. Stella looked at Don, the upset clear in her eyes. Don's heart raced as he worried about what could have happened to Stella.
"He stood me up," she tried to say passively, but her voice cracked at the end as she fought to avoid the tears.
"Aw Stell, I'm sorry" Don said sympathetically. Stella moved towards him slightly so Don wrapped his arms around her as she let out a small sob.
"Whoever the guy is, he's really missed out you know, Stella. You look a million dollars" he comforted as he rubbed small circles into her back. Flack wasn't just saying this to make her feel better – he honestly thought Stella looked amazing.
"Thanks," Stella sniffed. "His excuse was terrible – said he had to work late. I sorta believed him at first, then I decided to check out his story. I called his office. The receptionist kindly told me he'd left an hour ago, to go on a lad's weekend to Atlantic City!"
"You never stop working huh, Stella" Don said, smiling slightly as he wondered how Stella had managed to get so much information from the receptionist.
"I don't know why I am getting upset about it. No, I'm not going to let it bother me" Stella said firmly, interrupting Flack from his musings. She had tried to sound positive but Don still detected a hint of upset.
"Good for you Stell. I'm sure there are plenty more guys who would never consider standing you up." Don encouraged. Stella smiled at Don's flattery, which made him blush and her smile more. They had a tendency to do this to each other.
"Anyway," Stella changed the subject. "What brings you out here, alone, on a Friday night?"
Don sighed. "Just had a quick pint at Sullivan's with Danny. He's still brooding about his psych evaluation. We'd planned to have a big night out but he moaned that much in the first hour that neither of us were in the mood to spend the rest of the night together!"
"You two ok?" Stella asked.
"Yeah, yeah. We're good – just not go out on a bender tonight good. So I was just heading back to PD for the car. A night in with the TV and a takeout I guess." Don didn't sound very enthusiastic.
"You know, the night is still young" Stella said devilishly. "We were both expecting to be hitting the bars tonight – so what do you say we go ahead and do it anyway?" Stella asked in a suddenly, genuinely positive manner. Don thought about it briefly before replying. "Great idea. Where dya wanna start?"