Chapter 4
As they left the building, Hope noticed the day had turned sunny and bright and she fished around in her bag for her sunglasses. Finding them she turned and began to ask, "So… that restaurant…"
Bobby brusquely interrupted, "If you're not too hungry yet. How about going for a little drive?" Bobby pointed to his car.
"Um… no. That would be nice. Seeing how it's turned out to be such a sunny morning."
"Let me take down the top and we'll see what we can do about clearing out some of the cobwebs." Bobby walked over to the curb, stopped at his car, and began to unlock the ragtop from the body of the car.
Shocked, Hope began throwing questions out at him, "A convertible mustang? What, it's a '67 or '68? Ni-ice restoration work."
Bobby grinned as he shook his head, "'66. You know cars?"
Shaking her head she admitted, "No, not really, my brother. He… he was really into cars. I picked up a few things."
"Oh, and where was that?" Bobby looked out the side mirror and back over his shoulder before pulling away from the curb.
"Is this the beginning of an interrogation, detective? But, that would have been in St. Louis. My father worked at Anheuser-Busch." Hope smiled as Bobby turned back to face her. She had meant the comment to come out light and teasing, but she sensed he hadn't taken it that way.
"Um… sorry, occupational hazard, I guess." Bobby accelerated and maneuvered his way into the flow of traffic.
Trying to smooth over this little bump, she jumped in, "No, it's fine. I mean… we don't know each other's history. How are we going to find out if we don't ask, right?" Hope reached out and tapped his forearm as he shifted gears.
She realized they were heading uptown and when Bobby glanced her way again, she shouted, "Where are we going?"
His brown eyes twinkled back in merriment as he shouted, "Wait and see. It'll be fun." At her puzzled expression, he nodded at her and mouthed, "Trust me."
She watched him for a moment before offering him a nod in return. She settled back into the seat and resolved to let the day and events she'd set in motion reveal themselves.
Hours later, Hope leaned back, stretched allowing herself to slide down into the comfort of the passenger seat. She was even tempted to let her eyes slip closed. It had been a long day after a late night with very little sleep. She felt drained, emotionally and physically. If the last couple of years had taught her anything, it was that life was a series of random moments connected by yet other random moments. Those moments were ours to be remembered, to be forgotten, or to be left behind. She wanted to be able to remember every moment of today. No longer, was she going to let the moments of her life be cast aside.
Risking a glance over at Bobby, she watched his hands on the steering wheel. He must have sensed her scrutiny, as it wasn't long before he turned towards her, a shy grinning smile splitting his face.
"Tired?" he asked, knowing the answer. Her body language was a testimony to the extent of her tiredness; the way she sat slumped down in the seat, her head lolling to the side -watching him – as if her neck muscles were no longer able to support its weight.
"Are you listening to me?" he teased, only scant seconds later, when she didn't answer him. For the last fifty yards, she'd had that impression. And now his latest question hung in the air, waiting for a reply.
Shaken out of her daze, "Yes, yes I'm listening." Mentally shaking herself, she hadn't answered him immediately because she was thinking he had the most beautiful hands she'd ever seen.
"You asked if I was 'tired'. And yes, I am. Aren't you?"
"Honestly?" Bobby glanced back at the road before answering. "I think we walked all 843 acres of Central Park. I'm exhausted!"
Hope broke out laughing, "Oh, thank you! I was beginning to feel like such a wimp."
The afternoon had been a revelation. Hope had noticed small changes in both their demeanors – a lightening of moods, easiness growing between them. Words were spoken with new meaning, with new intonation. There were other hints - some as light as a touch, an accidental brushing of hands.
She felt her guard slipping. Even though earlier today, she had used the word "love" to herself when she thought about Bobby - even then aware that she didn't know him well enough to actually love him - she did feel that for the first time in a very long time, she felt a measure of comfort she hadn't let herself feel for years.
As Bobby slowed the car at an intersection, he reached over to massage the back of her neck. As his hand brushed the scarf around her neck, she pulled back. He didn't miss the flicker of panic flash across her face. She recovered quickly and smiled back at him, and reached up and gently pulled his hand down, grasping it in both of hers and gently tracing circles on the back of it.
Raising her gaze, she asked, "How about I fix us something to eat, instead of going to your restaurant?"
"Are you sure?" They both knew they weren't talking about dinner.
She nodded as she brought his hand up to her lips to kiss its palm. "Are you?"
Bobby looked for any sign of hesitancy in her eyes, finding none he leaned over and kissed her, kissed her until the driver behind them tapped on his car's horn. Grinning with embarrassment, Bobby hit the gas and they sped through the intersection.
Minutes later, they were exiting the parking garage across the street from their apartment building. As they crossed the street, neither of them noticed the black sedan or the two men inside who watched their progress from up the street. As the two entered the apartment building, one of the men got out of the car to follow them inside.
The man entered the building to see them waiting for the elevator. He casually walked over to the mail boxes, while watching to see which elevator the two took. Once they got on a car, he left the building and pulled open the passenger door of the black sedan, which had now pulled up in front of the building. "They went up to her apartment." He said as he settled back into his seat.
"I think we can assume they're in for the night." His partner chuckled as he reached for his radio to call in.
Once the elevator doors closed, she stepped closer, her fingers twining with his. One feminine fingertip rubbed gently to his, and she tilted their hands into the light. Hands joined – she could almost believe it to be the most beautiful sight in the world.
She could feel his reaction. The rough catch in his breath, as he accepted that this moment was indeed happening. The weight of his gaze upon her, as intense any she'd ever felt.
Tentatively, as if a decision had been made, then remade, all within the span of only seconds, his other hand rose slowly, coming to rest gingerly around the curve of her head. One thumb caressed her cheek, and her eyes closed so serenely. So blissfully.
Her head leaned to his palm ... a tilt of no greater extent than those he often made with the mask. But the weight within his hand, the trust inherent in the action, was an expression unto itself. And he knew - he knew - just how appreciated his own advances would be.
With equal care he untangled his fingers from hers, moving instead to cup her face. A cradle was made, woven of two strong hands, and he leaned slowly ... gradually ... closer.
A brush of her nose with his own, that carried within it an invitation and a request. Waiting.
She took a step forward, tempted to risk a touch of his arm; stopped not by fear, but by her own sense of guilt.
His second hand rose to her back, spanning between her shoulder blades - holding her with a new permission. A new confidence. And he leaned closer…
Chapter 5 hopefully won't take long to work through....
