Thank you all so much for your kind words of encouragement.
"Lizzie would you care for a sandwich, I'm afraid though it won't be one of my specials." Red was making himself at home opening and closing her cabinets, then commenting on the inferior brands.
"Red." He continued his treasure hunt ignoring Liz's call.
"Red, would you just stop and listen to me." Still no joy.
"You and I my dear must do some grocery shopping, I know this quant little farmers market you simple must see. We could make..."
"RED I SWEAR IF YOU DON'T STOP!" Liz couldn't hold it back any longer.
He turned to face her, tilting his head.
"Really you didn't need to shout, I'm in the same room. You have quiet a short fuse lately. It really can't be good for your blood pressure."
Waving his hands he continued "I can recommend a fantastic masseuse, but if you'd prefer I could take a stab at it myself." Rubbing his hands together and blowing on them to warm them. "What do you think?"
Liz didn't realise she had something in her hand until she saw it hurling through the air in Red's direction.
Just ducking in time he looked with raised eyebrows at the shatter cup then at Liz. "I'll take that as a no then shall I?"
"You are just..." Liz started then stop, her frustration getting the better of her. Stay calm Liz, just stay calm she thought.
"Just what Lizzie? You really need to finish your sentences. How am I to know what is going on in that beautiful head of yours. I have many talents but a mind reader just isn't one." His trademark grin in place.
"Going on in my head? You want to know, you really want to know?" She stared at him her voice fading toward the end.
"Yes... more than anything I want to know." His grin turning into a soft smile.
"You are the most frustrating person I've ever met." She began pacing. "You breeze in and out of my life without any consideration. If you're not calling me you appear at my door at all hours, well I guess I should be grateful that you didn't just let yourself in tonight like you've done on other occasion."
Red chose that moment to interrupt. "In my defence Lizzie, your house security is appalling. Also you should really consider giving me a key, don't get me wrong I still do get a certain thrill from picking your locks." Leaning in towards her he winked and continued.
"But I must tell you I do fear that some night I may walk in at a rather inconvenient time, especially if you happen to be bathing." Clearing his throat he went on. "Just out of interest, do you like to take a soak directing after returning from work or at a later hour?" His face the picture of innocence.
"That is it, enough, I've had enough. This has to stop, you need to leave now before I do you bodily harm." She backed away.
"You need to be a little clearer for me Lizzie. What has to stop, this conversation or the lack of details about your nocturnal habits?" Red asked knowing he was pushing it.
"You want to know everything about my life but I can't know anything about yours." She was building up a head of steam now. "You run hot and cold. One minute you're flirting with me then the next you're half way around the world and treating me like a stranger. You discuss you're "Lady Friends" in front of me." She stops to gather her thoughts.
All signs of humor vanished from his voice. "Lizzie are you perhaps jealous?" His features and body language turning serious.
She hesitated "What? No, no I just, I just want those pictures back and you to leave so I can get back to my friends thats all. Why the hell would I be jealous?" She began to fidget, she wasn't ready or was she.. no this wasn't the time, why couldn't she have controlled herself earlier.
"Don't go all coy on me now. You know what I'm talking about, you've always known haven't you?" He began closing the distance between them.
"This is not about these pictures." Removing them from his pocket then placing them on the counter.
"Its not?" Liz backed away needing space. She wasn't ready, she kept repeating that in her head.
"Oh no, but I assure you for as long as I wake those images will be one of my first thoughts each and every morning. So tell me are we going to have this conversation at long last?" This was going to end or begin here and now he wasn't walking away without knowing.
"No, I can't do this, not now." She avoided making eye contact with him.
"Why not now? I think now is the perfect time." Yet again he tried to close the distance she created between them.
"Lizzie please stop moving, I know I may need to exercise more but honestly I can think of more pleasurable ways than doing laps of your kitchen." He removed his suit jacket and began unbuttoning his vest.
"What are you doing?" She watched as he slipped each button free.
"Getting more comfortable." That smug grin making an appearance again.
A tapping noise on the partitioning doors between the living room and kitchen caught their attention.
Andi's voice floated through. "Hey guys we're going to take off now."
"Oh lord she has impeccable timing." Red mumbled.
"Are you sure? You can stay here I'll make up a bed." Liz said brushing past him as she made her way to her friend. Truth be told she was disparately avoiding having that conversation with him.
"No, no hon we should go back to the hotel but how about breakfast tomorrow?" At this suggestion Nessa moaned.
"Maybe not breakfast, lunch? I think she'll be back in the land of the living by lunch time." Andi laughed.
"Wise move, so its a date! Tomorrow, lunch. I'll call you a taxi" Liz hugged her old friend.
"No need to do that, Dembe is outside, he can take them to their hotel. I insist, I'll let him know you're on your way." Red took out his phone, leaving no room for arguments.
"Dembe? Who is Dembe?" Andi quizzed Liz.
"He is ah..." How to explain this without more questions.
"Dembe is a dear friend of mine who makes sure I stay out of trouble." Red winked at Andi as he finished.
"Well if its not to much bother?" Andi started to rouse Nessa.
"None at all, now let me help you. Nessa darling lets get you up and on your way to bed." Red helped her up, wrapped an arm around her waste to lead to his waiting car.
"Oooh so strong, but won't Lizzie Bee be upset if you come home with me? No, nope you stay here. I don't think we should you know... I don't even know you." Oh this was going to be a long walk to the car he thought to himself.
Liz said her goodbyes to Andi as they walked to the door.
"So are you and that fine specimen of a man going to get your acts together." Andi decided the direct route was going to be the best.
"Andi its complicated." Liz tried to explain.
"What is so complicated? He obviously adores you and you my dear lady can't keep you eyes off him. How you can keep your hands off him I'm baffled. Look at him!" Both women turned to she Red and Dembe help a very hands on Nessa to the car.
"DEMBE... a little help please." He gently handed her off to his friend as Nessa slipped her hand down and pinched his butt.
"Good night dear." Taking her hand he placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles then turned to make his way back to Liz's door.
He was halted in his progress by Andi.
"Well Raymond its been a pleasure meeting you." She smiled "Lizzie Bee has always been a complicated creature, stubborn and a fighter but soft at heart at the same time." Looking him up and down. "I think she has finally met her match in you. Don't give up on her and don't let her give up you, she deserves happiness and you sir are the man for the job." She reached out and hugged him.
"I hope to see a lot more of you in the future Raymond, don't disappoint me." She released him to join Nessa in the car.
"I hope so too Andi, I hope so too. Goodnight." He closed the door, turned and looked at the door that holds his future, his Lzzie, it was now or never.