Chapter 8

Bug looked startled and then grinned. Nigel's heart quickened as he took this as an encouraging sign, then Bug dashed his hopes again, "Then I guess we would have to find a couple of girls to go with us!"

Determined to take one last shot at it, Nigel shook his head and told him, "No girls Bug, just us…on a date…"

This time Bug actually looked stunned, "Oh," he said and then trying to appear nonchalant, rather than shocked, but failing miserably, he continued, "I had always wondered if you swung that…ummm were…well…"

"Bug," Nigel interrupted. "It's okay. I only just really admitted it to myself and one other today. Well I guess to two others now…"

"Who was the first?" Bug questioned, surprised to find out that he was a bit hurt not to be the first one to know.

"Clara Rose. I've been going to her for weekly readings for several months now and she's been seeing the truth in her cards for some time, but I just wouldn't admit it. But then when I saw how sad and lonely you've been lately and told her about it, she knew that you were the one…" he stopped, knowing he had already let too much slip to someone like Bug, who had a naturally inquisitive mind.

"The one…what?" Bug asked.

"I…ummm…" this time it was Nigel trying to stutter out an answer.

"Come on Nig! We've been friends for years! What is it you don't think you can tell me?!"

"The one Clara Rose sees me having a future with," Nigel blurted out.

"Future…as in a romantic future? Walk down the aisle, white picket fence, future?!"

"You forgot the 2.5 kids in that list," Nigel tried to kid.

"She saw us with children?!" Bug almost squeaked.

Nigel reluctantly nodded, "She said we would adopt two children."

"And you believed all this?!" Bug demanded.

"Well everything else she's ever predicted has come true. Look at the murder case she helped us to solve! And she told Jordan that she would end up with Woody, not that other guy! And they got married!"

"But Nig, we haven't even gone out and this woman is telling you we are going to have kids! Don't you think that is just a little far fetched?!"

"Not have, adopt," Nigel clarified. At Bug's confused look he added, "The kids, not have them, but adopt them."

"And I suppose this crazy woman also told you my answer to you asking me out? I mean she knows everything…right?!"

"No, she actually didn't tell me what you would say, that was why I was so nervous. But I'd like to think that sooner or later, if I keep asking, I would wear you down enough to say 'yes'. Well you would almost have to if we were going to adopt those children…So…ummm…what do you say? Will you go out with me?"

"Nig, you know me! I've always dated girls! I mean I've never even thought about dating guys!"

"So that's a 'no'?" Nigel questioned sadly.

"You know what? No, it's not a 'no'. I was always told it's good to try everything at least once in your life, so what the heck! Yes, I'll go out with you."

"You will!?" Nigel appeared astonished.

"Yep…but no hand holding, or kissing, or the like…agreed?"

"Ummm…sure Bug anything you say. Huh what movie do you want to see?"

"Nothing romantic…what all is playing?"

Nigel was able to recite off every movie playing and it only took a few minutes for them to settle on one. They also decided on a restaurant and before the silence after that could become uncomfortable Jordan came into the lab to see if the report she needed was finished. Both men looked guilty for using work time for personal things and promised her they would have it ready for her in fifteen minutes.

"Sure guys! I've heard that one before! I'm going to hand around here till you have it for me!" she insisted.

As soon as she said that she was staying Bug got to his feet and offered her the stool he had been using, "Your ankles have been a bit swollen lately Jordan, you should sit down," he told her.

With an affronted look she demanded, "How can you tell that when I have jeans on?!"

"You were waddle…ummm…wincing when I saw you walking down the hall earlier," Bug told her.

To be continued…