After she left the firehouse, Odette wandered around Chicago, looking for the nearest pet store. She still needed to get some things for Oakley if he was going to be staying a brief visit at her place. Once there, she grabbed some silver metal bowls for him to eat and drink out of. She also searched for a new collar, a leash, a dog bed, some treats, and toys. She looked up at the total she racked up and decided that maybe she had gone a little overboard.
Oh well, she thought.
Soon enough, she was back at the bakery to continue her work. She didn't say much to anyone, opting to instead put on her AirPods and listen to some music as she got to baking. Time passed as quickly as the speed of light. She hadn't even realized that the sun was beginning to descend when she felt the tapping of her shoulder by her employee, Aria.
"Jesus," Odette exclaimed as she clutched her hand to her chest.
Aria smiled in response, "Closing time's in 15. You mind if I dip early? I got some things to take care of."
"Yeah, that's fine. I already have tomorrow's prep done so don't worry about coming in early."
This earned her a smile from the young clerk. "Thanks, boss. You're the best."
The two said their goodbyes and Odette followed her out into the main expanse of the bakery. She looked around and saw that Aria had already wiped down the empty tables and catered to the last two remaining customers who were also saying their goodbyes. Odette internally thanked her now gone employee for taking more tasks off her plate. Once she closed out and finished cleaning the display shelves, she'd be able to leave immediately after.
About three hours later, Odette was snuggled up on her couch with an empty takeout tray on the coffee table. She was finishing up a favorite show of hers when her cell rattled off beside her. While she didn't instantly recognize the number, she knew it was a Chicago area code and that plenty of people around the city had her phone number due to her business.
"Hello?," she called into the receiver.
"Damn, I gotta admit, I was kinda scared this would be a fake number." Kelly confessed.
Odette instantly giggled, recognizing his voice. "Severide," she tittered, "I'm glad you called."
"Kelly," he amended, "Yeah, I guess I could've waited until tomorrow but.. Couldn't help it." He said as he lounged back in his office bunk. He had stored the queen of hearts card with her number on it in his pocket and it felt like it had been burning a hole through his pants the longer it sat unused. By the time dinner was over, he was practically itching with the desire to pull it out and call her. His mind pushed him back from keying in the digits a few times as he allowed his mind to ponder whether the number was, in fact, hers. Theoretically, he was sure that it was hers, but anything's possible, right?
It didn't take long for his desires to overcome his nerves. And when he dialed her number and heard her voice on the line, he physically sighed in relief. In just a few short words, she had melted him like butter.
"Tell me about your day, Kelly."
They both settled in their respective spaces and allowed themselves to lean into the warm embrace of each other's voices.