No Way To Stop It
Chapter 3: Dates and subtle glances
Lauren
I sit at my desk lost in thought when the door to my office bursts open. I whip my head up to find Tamsin walking in with a huge smile on her face. I raise a quizzical brow at her. Walking over to the sofa on the opposite side of my office, she plops herself down onto it.
"How're you Lewis?" She asks, the smile on her face making me slightly anxious.
"Do I want to know what you're so happy about?" I ask leaning back in my chair, folding my arms and narrowing my eyes at her suspiciously.
"Can't your best friend in the whole entire universe come visit and see how you're doing?" She challenges.
If there's one thing I know about Tamsin, it's that she never visits me during office ours unless it's for something she wants. I glance down at my watch and find that it's 9:30 a.m.
She definitely wants something.
"What did you do now?"
"What makes you think I did something?"
"Because it's not lunch time yet and we both know that unless it's for lunch, you never visit me. It's not even 10 a.m. Also, shouldn't you be at work?"
"Ouch. Here I thought that maybe you might want to see me. That hurts Lo, it really does," she says holding her hand up to her heart. I roll my eyes at her and pinch the bridge of my nose letting out a sigh.
"Just tell me," I say opening my eyes to look at her again. It's been a rough morning and the last thing I want to do right now is play one of Tamsin's silly guessing games.
"Fine, fine. Geez, seems like something crawled up your ass this morning. But you better pull that thing out because you're going to be thanking me," she says sitting up straighter.
"What are you doing tonight?" She asks, her excitement becoming obvious.
I glare at her realizing where this is going. In case I'm wrong, I decide to play along. I shrug.
"Most likely looking over this case. I need to sort some of this out before tomorrow because Jefferson isn't hauling ass so I'm doing the work. I need to prepare for a hearing next week Monday."
"Jefferson is a grade-A asshole. But that's beside the point. You need to take a break and by that I mean you are going out on a date tonight," she says looking extremely proud of herself. For some reason, Tamsin has it in her head that I need to get myself a significant other to make myself happy.
"Aw come on Tamsin, again? You know I don't like it when you set me up on your random blind dates!" I say standing up from my desk and moving over to grab a file from my filing cabinet.
"Aw come on Lo! Besides, it won't really be a blind date. You've met this girl before, it's Nadia, remember her? She's that cute photographer that we went to high school with? You used to have the biggest crush on her!"
"Nadia? That was High School Tamsin. Besides, I'm busy!" Picking the file that I need, I move back to my desk and throw it unceremoniously onto in. I have a case to prepare for and Tamsin coming in for another attempt at match making isn't making things any better. Especially since, thanks to Jefferson, I now have to clean up his mess.
Tamsin narrows her eyes at me and purses her lips.
"Come on Lauren. When was the last time you went on a date, let alone had a girlfriend? You can't just spend the rest of your life working! Look, I'm not asking you to marry the girl, just give her a chance. Please?"
I sit on the edge of my desk, closing my eyes, I rub my temples feeling a little annoyed with Tamsin. I know she means well but the last time she set me up on a date, the woman decided it was a good idea to follow me home. The last thing I need is a relationship. Tamsin and I had already discussed this but it seemed to always go in one ear and out the other.
"Okay, how about this," she continues when I don't reply, "IF this doesn't work out, then I promise I'll never play matchmaker with you ever again. Deal?"
I hear her move from the sofa to stand in front of me. I sigh and look up at her sceptically. She stands her ground, folding her arms across her chest.
"Fine," I relent, "But!" I say holding up my finger to stop her from saying anything.
"This has to be the last blind date you ever set me up on Tamsin and I mean it."
She grins and nods furiously, obviously happy with herself. If anything, when Tamsin wants something, she'll stop at nothing to get what she wants. It can drive me up the wall sometimes and she knows it all too well.
"Excellent! I knew you'd see it my way, I promise you won't regret it Lo!" With that she moves in to give me a quick hug before rushing out the door again.
"I'll text you later with the deets…or her number. I'll ask her first. Bye!"
And with that she's gone. I shake my head and make my way back to my chair. I eye the couch longingly wanting to take a nap all of a sudden but decide against it. This case wasn't going to solve itself.
Bo
From what I can see, it's going to be a steady night at the Dal tonight. As I wipe the bar top down, I glance at the clock hanging in the far wall. It's almost 6 p.m. and only a handful of people are in here. Guess I shouldn't be surprised considering it's only the middle of the week. I left Lilly with Kenzi tonight. One of the staff had called in sick so I had to come in and cover. Sometimes I wish Trick would hire more staff. It's hard being away from Lilly during the weekdays.
"Hiya Bo, how's it going tonight?" I look over to my right to find Jordan 'Bubbah' Banks sitting in his regular spot at the side of the bar. He's a jolly man in his late forties with less hair on his head than his beard.
"Oh hey Bubbah. Not too bad tonight, just filling in for Trish. She's sick. What can I get for you tonight? Also, keys please, you know the rules," I tell him holding out my hand for him to place his keys in. Almost every Wednesday night, Bubbah would be at the Dal drinking away his money. The only rule was that he leaves his car keys with us for him to pick up in the morning. Thursdays were his days off.
"Can I get some whiskey tonight please love? Had a bit of a rough day today."
I nod and take his keys before moving over to fix him a glass of whiskey, no ice.
"First one is on the house Bubs, you look like you could use it," I say sliding the glass to him. He catches it and gives me a thumbs up. Won't be long before I'll be making a call for a taxi.
"Bo, could you get another crate of beer from the back please?" Trick calls from the other side of the bar.
"Yep," I reply walking towards to storeroom. When I return I find Dyson sitting at the bar talking to Trick. I smile at him as he catches my eye and wave. He waves back before turning his attention back to whatever it is Trick is saying. I'd hardly seen him for two weeks since he left for some undercover work except for that day on my birthday. After stocking up the fridge with beer, I make my way towards them.
"Hey Dy, when did you get back?" I ask stopping next to Trick.
"About an hour ago. Had to report back before I have to go back Sunday afternoon. I wanted to pop by and ask if I could take Lilly out for the day on Sunday? I'll pick her up on Saturday afternoon."
I think about it for a while wondering whether I have any plans with her on Sunday. That's when I remember I'd promised Lauren we'd be over to her bookstore on Saturday to help her out. Finding no problem with him taking her on Sunday, I smile at him.
"Yeah sure, she's missed you. But is it okay if you pick her up on Sunday morning? It's just I promised a friend of mine that we'd help her with stocking her bookstore on Saturday," I say. I smile at the thought of seeing Lauren again on Saturday. Movement at the entrance signalling new customers catches my eye. My jaw drops when I see Lauren walk through the double doors looking slightly confused as she searches the bar. She's looking incredibly professional in her dark grey pencil skirt with matching blazer. On the inside she wears a white button up and completing the outfit are a pair of black pumps. For a second I just stare at her until a gentle nudge from Trick brings me back to reality. I look at him and ask him what's up.
"Isn't that Lauren?" He asks, apparently not noticing me ogling her a minute ago. I look over in the general direction Lauren had come and catch her eye. I can't help the smile that creeps up on my face as I nod at Trick and wave Lauren over. Instead of waiting for her to get here, I excuse myself and head over to meet her halfway.
"Hey, what brings you to my neck of the woods?" I ask when I reach her. I don't know whether if I should hug her or shake hands, so instead I just smile awkwardly and hope that I don't look too ridiculous. Since we're both standing in the middle of the bar, I motion for her to sit down at one of the tables nearby.
"I'm uh…I'm here to see someone. It's my first time here so I hope I'm not late. I hate being late," she utters looking slightly nervous.
"Oh?" I reply looking around the bar, "Are they here?"
She shakes her head and then shrugs.
"No, I don't think so. We were supposed to meet at six o'clock but I don't see her yet."
"Would you like something to drink while you wait? We can head over to the bar and you can wait there?" I ask her, pointing over at the bar. When she agrees, we both get out of our seats and head to it. I make my way around behind the counter and ask her what she'd like to drink.
"A beer would be great," she says smiling at me nervously. As I grab a beer bottle from the fridge I wonder silently why she seems so nervous. I push the thought out of my mind and hand the cool bottle to her. A shiver runs through me when our fingers brush. I have to bite my lip.
"First ones on me," I say giving her a playful wink.
Where the hell did that come from?!
She smiles at me and seems to relax a little.
"Thank you. First the cupcakes and now the beer? I should give people free gifts on their birthdays more often. This place is very nice," she replies taking a sip of her beer.
"Trick owns this place, so it's only fitting that I help out as much as I can. So…just finished work?" I ask leaning my hip against the bench.
"Mhmm," she nods, "It's been a trying day, that's for sure."
"That bad huh?"
"You have no idea," she answers shaking her head.
"That leads me to believe that you're not just your average everyday bookshop owner now are you? Well…that and the outfit," I say motioning to her clothes. She laughs and at that moment I decide that I like hearing her laugh.
"Very observant," she teases, "but yes, I only work at the bookshop during the weekends when I can. During the week I'm a Lawyer."
"Well…you look great," I hear myself say before I realize it. I feel my face heat up not believing that I had just said that out loud. I silently pray that Lauren doesn't see how red my face is and hope that the semi-dark lighting in the bar hides it. So to save myself from further embarrassment I change the topic.
"Lilly's looking forward to Saturday, by the way. She can't seem to stop talking about it. She keeps asking me what we're going to bake next to bring to the bookshop," I tell her. Lauren laughs and shakes her head.
"Well tell her I can't wait to see her this Saturday either. Your daughter is a great kid. She's also very smart," She says giving me a small smile.
"Thank you," I reply returning that smile and feeling my heart swell with pride for my daughter. A frantic waving Bubbah who seems to be trying to get my attention interrupts our conversation. I look over at Lauren apologetically.
"I'll be right back, I just need to check on ol' Bubbah over there," I say, pointing over at him. I turn towards Bubbah and signal to him to see if he wants another drink. I also notice that Dyson is no longer in the bar. I frown and wonder why he left without saying goodbye. I shrug it off and walk towards Bubbah to give him another glass of whiskey.
"Lauren? Is that you?" I hear from behind me. Whoever it is, is very loud. I whip my head around to find a very attractive woman standing next to Lauren. She has light brown skin, dark curly brown hair that is tied up in a loose pony tail, full lips and from what I can see, a well tone body wrapped in a dress that sticks to her like a second skin. I watch silently as Lauren turns and smiles at the woman. She stands from her seat and hugs the curly haired woman. I set my jaw and watch as I hear Lauren ask 'Nadia' how she's been.
"I've been good. Sorry I'm late Lauren, I uh got kinda lost," I hear Nadia say, her hand still on Lauren's shoulder.
I wish you could get lost.
I don't know why but for some reason, I suddenly feel a slight twinge of jealousy at the way the woman seems to be flirting with Lauren. I shake my head, ridding my mind of these thoughts and straighten myself. Not being able to stand back and watch any longer, I approach the two women slowly, suddenly feeling the need to force my smile.
"I assume this is who you were waiting for?" I ask Lauren, completely ignoring Nadia.
"Yes, Bo I'd like you to meet Nadia," she says motioning to Nadia. "Nadia, this is Bo. Bo's grandfather owns this place."
"Nice to meet you Nadia."
I give Nadia a tight-lipped smile and nod of acknowledgement. I'm suddenly tense, completely unsure of what to do or say. She smiles all too sweetly at me and replies with a quick 'Likewise'. I hate her already.
"Can I get you something to drink? I've already got my beer," Lauren asks politely turning to face Nadia.
"Oh! Yes please, can I have a Cosmo please Boo? And don't be afraid to keep them comin' hun. I need to get this beautiful woman drunk so I can take her to bed," Nadia's laughs at her own joke and slides her hand down to Lauren's arm. Lauren looks a little uncomfortable but laughs along with her.
I'll show you hun. And it's Bo.
"Sure," I manage to say through gritted teeth becoming slightly annoyed with how Nadia's voice seems to be dripping with sweetness. I glance over quickly to find Lauren's eyes on me. She gives me a small smile that slightly calms me down a little. Not sure whether I can handle being polite with Nadia any further I move around the bar to make her the drink.
Fuck. Tonight is going to be a long night!
Lauren
Although I'm on a "date" with Nadia, I can't help but steal several glances over at the bar where Bo is busy making drinks and chatting to customers at the bar. After getting Nadia's first drink, she suggests that we get seats that are a little more private, so we move to the booths.
The Dal really is a nice place. Not too big and not too small. The atmosphere and the feel of the place seems very comforting. There aren't a lot of people here but it's only Wednesday after all. When Tamsin texted me, she said that this was the place she had chosen because it's out of town but not too far from my apartment.
Nadia is okay. She's very talkative and I don't mind too much that she's doing all the talking. She's already on her third Cosmo while I'm still on my first beer. I have to admit that she really has filled out during the years and her once short hair has grown a lot since High School. She's now a professional photographer working for some out of the way magazine that I haven't heard of. All in all this date is going fine.
Although everything seems to be going okay with Nadia, I can't help but let my thoughts wander over to Bo. Watching her interaction with Nadia earlier was just a little too uncomfortable for my liking. For some reason I also feel slightly guilty for being on this date with Nadia while Bo is around. I sigh and look over at Nadia again, nodding at something she had just said that I didn't quite catch. I watch as Nadia gets up from her seat.
"Okay, you wait here while I go order another drink and make my way over to the little ladies room. Won't be long Lo," Nadia says touching my arm before walking away. I chuckle to myself at the overly exaggerated way she seems to swaying her hips as she walks. From my seat I watch as she stops at the bar, waiting for Bo to serve her. When Bo finishes with the customer I remember her calling Bubbah, she looks over her shoulder to see Nadia and I can see her stiffen a little before making her way to her. The vibrating of my phone alerts me to a text message. I look at the screen to see 'Tamsin' on it. I open the message to see what she wants, no doubt wanting to know how things are going.
Tamsin: How's it going? Fireworks yet? ;)
I take a moment to think about whether or not to tell her the truth.
Me: It's ok.
I put my phone on the table and glance over at the bar again and find that Nadia isn't there anymore but instead I catch Bo watching me. She smiles and points to the fridge behind her asking if I want another beer. I shake my head. My phone going off again catches my attention.
Tamsin: That's it? Just 'ok'?
Me: Yep.
That's all I text back, knowing full well that she's going to be completely annoyed with my lack of feedback. I brace myself for the inevitable phone call that's sure to follow. Sure enough, seconds later my phone lights up again, showing that Tamsin is indeed calling. But before I can answer it, a shadow casting over the table causes me to look over and find Bo standing there. She places Nadia's drink across from me and nods to my phone.
"You're not going to answer?" She asks as my phone continues to ring.
"Nope, Tamsin can wait. She's just being nosy."
"Mmm…okay."
There's a moment of silence between us. I frown down at my phone and bite my lip.
"Is everything okay? You're still on your first beer," Bo asks, a look of worry on her face.
My god she's adorable.
"Everything's fine really. To be honest, I'm not really in the mood to drink tonight. I still have a lot of work to do tonight so I'll save after hours Lauren for another time," I joke. Bo chuckles lightly.
"Now that you bring it up, I think I'd like to meet this 'After Hours Lauren' she sounds fun," she replies. We both laugh until a cough interrupts us.
"What's so funny?" I find Nadia standing behind Bo, her hands on her hips looking back and forth between us suspiciously.
"Nothing. Bo was just bringing your drink over," I reply quickly. Bo nods and turns to me again.
"Did you need anything else?" She asks. In the corner of my eye, I can see Nadia looking slightly annoyed with Bo. I have to bite my bottom lip to stop the smile that seems to be threatening to show. I don't know if it's the lighting or just my wishful thinking but I could've sworn I see Bo's eyes flick down to my lips for a fraction of a second.
"No thanks, Bo, we're good here. Thank you."
As Bo returns to the bar, I watch her until the sound of Nadia shuffling into her seat forces me to stop.
"What kind of a name is Boo anyway?" She mumbles. I raise a quizzical brow at her, slightly annoyed at her petulance.
"What?" She asks all too innocently. Suddenly I'm no longer in the mood to be here any longer and decide to let her down easily.
"Look Nadia, I know that it's early, but I was wondering if maybe we could continue this another time? It's just I've got a mountain of paperwork waiting on my desk at home and I need to sort out a few case files for tomorrow which I haven't even put a dent in," I say eyeing her carefully.
"Oh…this isn't because of Boo is it?" She asks suspiciously narrowing her eyes at me.
"It's Bo, and no, I really do have a lot of work and I've got a bit of a long night and an early start tomorrow. So would it be okay if maybe we call it a night for now? I can give you a ride home if you'd like and you can pick up your car tomorrow," I offer, knowing that she's had a few too many drinks to be able to drive home. She sighs audibly and downs her drink before standing.
"Before we go, were you interested in me at all tonight?" She asks averting my gaze. I look at her for a moment before answering her truthfully. She's fiddling with her glass. I reach across the table and place my hand on her wrist, stopping her. She lifts her head and her eyes meet mine. I smile softly at her.
"Nadia, you're a beautiful woman. In High school I would have answered that question with a resounding yes. But it's only fair that I tell you that my feelings aren't exactly the same as when we were in High School. I should have told you this from the beginning but I'm not really looking for a relationship at the moment. I caved into peer pressure from Tamsin and decided I'd give this a shot, but clearly, my mind is elsewhere at the moment and not on this date. I'm sorry," I answer.
"Tamsin can be mighty convincing when she wants to be huh?" She asks, the corners of her mouth lifting into a smile. I let go of her hand and sit back in my seat feeling slightly relieved at her change in attitude. She stands from her seat and looks over at the bar. For a moment she just stares in the direction of the bar before facing me again.
"Shall we?"
I grin at her and slide out of the bar.
"Just so you know, I would've said yes to you back in High School too had I known," she utters shyly. "Anyway, I'll wait for you here. I'm sure you want to go say goodbye to Bo…and um, please ask her if it's all right for me to leave my car here?" She adds on quickly.
"Of course," I say. I reach out and give her hand a comforting squeeze. Letting her hand go, I make my way over to where Bo is. When she sees me approach the bar, she stops wiping the bar and moves over to meet me.
"Hey, going home already?" She asks wiping her hands on her towel before placing it onto her shoulder. I roll my eyes at her.
"That is such a typical thing for you to do," I tease.
"Shut up," she retorts, "I'm seriously rethinking the choice I made about giving you that free beer. I can still charge you for it y'know."
I chuckle and hold my hands up in defence.
"Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. But to answer your question, yes. I've got a long night ahead of me so I just wanted to come over and say goodbye. Oh and to ask if it's okay for Nadia to leave her car here? She's had quite a few drinks and I don't want her driving her home just in case."
"Oh yeah, of course! Sorry to hear about the workload though, what with you being a big successful Lawyer and all, but I'm glad you came by to say goodbye. I better let you go before Danny boy over there decides to give Nadia a ride home himself. She looks like she needs to be rescued," Bo says pointing towards Nadia. I turn to find an incredibly uncomfortable looking Nadia trying to avoid a tall blonde guy who seems to be tyring to engage her in conversation.
"Still on for Saturday?" I ask Bo quickly. She gives me a smile that makes my stomach flutter and my knees go slightly weak.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. Besides, Lilly won't speak to me all weekend if I don't bring her around," she replies. With that in mind, I return her smile and give her a quick wave. Turning on my heel, I walk briskly towards Nadia, a look of relief washes over her when she sees me. It's then that I realise that Saturday can't come any faster.