A/N: Right ok, this is a bit short but I wanted to post.

As ever let me know what you think and Naomi pov is coming up next.

Emily

Tap, tap, tap.

I looked up and found Danny hitting a pencil against the table.

"Dan, please stop that. It's very annoying." I said exasperatedly.

The noise stopped and I turned back to the computer.

Tap, tap, tap.

"Danny, what have I just said?" I said with a scowl.

"But I'm booooored." he whined.

I sighed, "Sweetheart, I need to finish this and then we can go out. I really need you to be quiet, so please, stay still."

There was a brief respite.

"Mummy, when can we see Naomi again?" he asked.

Ah the million dollar question. I thought carefully about my answer, I didn't want to raise false expectations. It'd been a week since our trip to the park and although we'd exchanged a few texts that were pleasant enough, I hadn't seen the blonde since. I told myself to back off and not to put her under any pressure, but if I'm being honest I was finding it really hard leaving her alone to make the first move.

"I don't know Danny." I replied honestly.

"Why can't we see her today?" he pushed.

"Danny, Naomi is very busy, if she has the time I'm sure she'll be in touch." I answered far more confidently than I felt.

He paused thoughtfully, "Why don't you ask her?"

I stared at my son, it was a simple enough question, one that I'd asked myself many times. But I could hardly tell him the truth could I? Well Danny, the reason I haven't asked Naomi out is because I'm scared she'll say no. That's right your Mummy is a total coward who's afraid of rejection or seeming desperate.

Danny was still looking at me quizzically so I mumbled something non committal and was extremely grateful when my phone buzzed, providing a welcome distraction. I tried not to get too excited when I saw it was from Naomi.

Hey, what are you up to today?

I stared at the message, what did it mean? Was it just an interested enquiry or was it a precursor to a suggested meeting? I shook my head, for fuck's sake Emily, stop over analysing everything and just reply. I sent a text back explaining that I was doing the books in the shop but it was proving a bit difficult because Danny kept interrupting. A few minutes passed until I got a reply.

Glad I'm not the only one working on a Saturday. Mandy is in full on control freak mode meaning obviously she's buggered off shopping while I get on with things. Ah well, money is money and at least she's not here perving on me :)

I bit my lip as I paused, come on Em, here's you chance to bite the bullet. Naomi is just around the corner, you could casually invite her over to the shop. I was procrastinating when my phone went again.

I'll be finished in half an hour. Maybe I could call in? I don't have to hang around if you've got plans but I'd like to see you both. I haven't really had a chance since last weekend, I've been tied up with work.

I sighed with relief, of course Naomi hadn't been avoiding me she was just busy. Perfectly reasonable explanation. I felt a bit silly that I'd been worrying so much, we'd had a good time at the park, why wouldn't Naomi want to see us again? I'd clearly been thinking too long because my phone went again.

Don't worry if you're too busy, we can do it some other time.

I immediately sent a reply back, saying it'd be great to see her and maybe I could make us some lunch.

Great, I'm starving, see you in half an hour. X

What did the kiss mean? Should I send one back? I hit my forehead and groaned, I was pissing myself off with my behaviour, God only knows how Naomi would react to the gibbering wreck she found. Right Emily, pull yourself together, you are a strong, confident woman.

Oh my God, no I'm not, I'm a complete wanker who gives herself pep talks. It's true, women do turn into their mothers. I mentally slapped myself, get a fucking grip and stop being a total arsehole.

"Dan, that was Naomi, she's coming over in a while." I informed him.

He smiled, "Yay!"

"So I need you to be quiet and let me finish this ok?" I explained.

He jiggled in his seat and garbled on about all the news he had for her. "I can tell Naomi about the butterfly me and Ellie saw in the field by her house."

"It's Ellie and I, not me." I corrected.

He looked puzzled, "But you weren't even there."

I sighed, clearly today wasn't the day to be giving out grammar lessons, "Dan, you can tell Naomi all your news when she arrives, but in the mean time please sit quietly and let me finish what I'm doing."

He clamped his mouth shut but already I could tell he was struggling. Drastic times call for drastic measures.

"Why don't you play on your DS?" I suggested.

His eyes widened, "but I've already had my hour..."

He stopped abruptly when I raised my eyebrow, I could see him trying to work out if this was some sort of trap because I always tightly controlled how much time he spent playing computer games. Finally he realised that although it might seem too good to be true I was serious and he eagerly reached into the bag to withdraw the console. Once he was settled I turned back to the screen again.

I wonder what I should cook for lunch? The thought popped into my head before I could stop it.

I exhaled, come on concentrate, you're nearly done, then you can think about lunch. With Naomi. A lovely lunch, with gorgeous Naomi, hmmmm.

A car noise interrupted my daydream, "Me-ooohhhhhmmmmm."

It was quickly filled by a skidding sound, "eeeeeeehhhhhh."

I stared at my son, "Danny, can't you play something quieter than Mario Kart?"

His eyes didn't leave the screen, "But I'm winning."

I sighed exasperatedly, "I said you could play on the DS so I could focus on my work, not so I could be interrupted by bad Lewis Hamilton impressions."

He tutted as he moved the console, "That's formula 1 silly."

I rolled my eyes, "You know exactly what I mean. Can't you play brain training or something?"

"Done it today." came the short reply.

"Alright then, something else that won't make you provide the sound effects." I argued.

A crashing noise came from the console, "Awww, Mummy, you made me hit Yoshi."

"Danny, I didn't make you do anything." I countered.

He scowled at me, "Yes you did, you were distracting me."

"Welcome to my world." I replied wryly.

He was about to say something smart back when the doorbell went. Danny leapt up and threw the console on the sofa.

"I'll get it." he stated excitedly as he rushed downstairs.

Great, because I'd spent time pointlessly arguing with my son I still hadn't finished and now Naomi was here. Oh God, she's here, what does my hair look like? I quickly made my way over to the mirror and checked my hair and makeup as I smoothed down my clothes. I could hear Dan chattering away as they came upstairs.

They came through the doorway, "It was as big as my hand Naomi."

"Really? That big eh?" she replied smiling indulgently at him.

My breath caught, sometimes I forgot just how stunning she was, even dressed in jeans and a t-shirt Naomi was still easily the most gorgeous woman I'd ever clapped eyes on.

She looked up and caught me staring, I must have had an instantly readable expression because she smiled knowingly at me before making her way over to kiss me on the cheek.

"Hey Em, how are you?" Naomi questioned.

"Um... good, you know... good." I stammered back still reeling slightly from the contact, "you?"

She shrugged, "mustn't grumble, nose to the grindstone all week, but things seem to be looking up. You look really nice by the way."

I blushed at the compliment, "Thanks, so do you."

Naomi laughed, "I'd hardly call my comfy jeans and this old t-shirt anything special, but that dress really suits you."

"Mummy put it on specially in case she saw you." Danny very unhelpfully interjected.

"Danny! Don't be so silly. Of course I didn't." I turned to Naomi who was trying to hide a smile. "I didn't."

Dan frowned, "Yes you did, Auntie Katie asked you why you were wearing one of your good dresses to go to the shop and before you could answer she said 'hoping to see blondie today?' then she laughed."

I glared at him and wondered what it would be like to be childless. Ok maybe I had made an effort in case I saw Naomi and maybe, just maybe, I'd slightly overdressed all week just in case, it doesn't make me a bad person.

Naomi coughed, "it doesn't matter what the reason is, you still look very beautiful."

My blush deepened and I smiled at her, "Thank you."

We held each others gaze for slightly too long, both smiling soppily.

"Why are you looking at each other like that?" Danny asked curiously.

I averted my eyes, "Like what? We weren't looking like anything."

He nodded, "Yes you were, you looked like Auntie Katie does when she wants Cook to kiss her."

My eyes narrowed, so I'd get a few years in prison for filicide, but I was seriously contemplating killing him. I glanced back to the blonde who had now joined me in the 'world's reddest face competition'.

I turned back to my son, who was staring innocently at us, "Thank you for your opinion Daniel, now why don't you get back to your game, while I finally try to do these books."

"Anything I can do to help?" Naomi asked.

Don't even go there Emily.

I motioned towards Danny, "If you can keep Sherlock amused that would be great, I won't be long, promise."

She nodded and picked up a deck of cards that was lying on the side, "Hey Danny, fancy a game?"

He switched off the DS and nodded enthusiastically, "Ok, what shall we play?"

I left them debating and returned to the computer but the numbers kept swimming around the screen. Had it really been that obvious what I'd been thinking when I was looking at Naomi? I mean, I'd never have actually done anything, apart from the fact my seven year old was in the room, it was far too soon to be thinking like that, Jesus talk about scaring her off. But Danny had asked us why we were looking at each other like that, so it can't just have been me. Naomi must have been thinking it too on some level.

EMILY! Stop all this bloody fantasising and get the fuck on with your work, at this rate it'll be dark by the time you eat. I shook my head and picked up an invoice. In the background I could hear the cards rapidly hitting the table and every now and then there was a gleeful cry of 'snap', I smiled and zoned it out.

My eyes searched the screen, I know I'd definitely settled this bill, it was one of our best suppliers so I always made sure I paid well within the due date, where on earth was it? I continued to look, biting slightly on my lip until I felt someone staring at me. I looked over just in time to catch Naomi hastily turning back to the game with a slight colour rising in her cheeks.

"Ah ha, got you." I muttered triumphantly as I picked up the next invoice.

Every now and then I'd glance up but each time Naomi was focused on the game. I went through a few more invoices, finding them more easily this time. I tucked my hair behind my ear.

"Naomi, concentrate on the cards." Danny scolded.

"Sorry." she mumbled back.

I smiled to myself, it wasn't just me trying to steal sneaky glances then. I hummed quietly as I made my way through the paper work. I'd nearly finished when I heard a scuffling sound.

"Get off, I won that."

I looked up with the intention of telling Danny off, I certainly wasn't expecting to find the scene that greeted me.

"How come my hand is underneath then?" Naomi challenged.

"You just put it there, my hand was first and I said snap before you did." Danny replied defiantly.

Naomi scoffed as she tried to prise his fingers off the cards, "Don't lie, I won fair and square, give them to me."

"Will not!" Danny said firmly.

"Ahem." I said with a raised eyebrow as they turned to look at me.

"Mummy, Naomi's cheating." Danny informed me.

Naomi huffed, "How dare you, I never cheat, it's dishonest."

"Cheat, cheat, cheat." Danny chanted.

The blonde looked at me, "Honestly Em, I said snap first, you know I wouldn't make it up."

Danny glared at her and then looked at me, "Mummy, you can be the judge, then Naomi will have to say I won."

I bit my lip in an attempt to stop the laughter escaping and made my way to the coffee table where two hands steadfastly refused to let go of the cards. I examined the pile carefully from various angles and pretended to deliberate.

"Hmmm, it's very hard to say who was first, especially as I didn't hear you say snap." I finally stated.

I couldn't believe it as two pairs of very serious eyes looked expectantly at me. Danny was trying the puppy dog look, but as a fellow Fitch I was immune. Naomi was also looking imploringly and if the situation wasn't so comical I'd probably have a hard time tearing myself away.

I cleared my throat, "I've reached my decision."

They both held their breath.

"I think we'll have to call it a draw, you both win." I declared.

"Both lose more like." Naomi scoffed as she released the cards.

Danny tutted and pushed them across the table, "That's stupid."

"Are you arguing with the judge's decision?" I said sternly.

"It's a rubbish game anyway." Naomi said sullenly.

I folded my arms and stared at her, "Naomi?"

She looked up, "Yeah?"

"Please tell me you're not sulking because you couldn't beat Danny in a game of snap." I queried.

She started to look sheepish, "I would have won eventually."

"No you wouldn't, I'm the best at snap." Danny started until I silenced him with a look.

I stared at the blonde who was glaring at my son and I couldn't help it but I started to laugh. I mean I knew Naomi liked to win but honestly.

She shook her head as the absurdity of the situation finally dawned on her and joined in with the laughter, "I'm sorry."

"It's not me you should be apologising to." I said with a giggle.

She turned around, "Sorry Danny, I just hate losing."

He shrugged, "Me too but it's only a game."

I raised my eyebrow, "So are we friends again?"

They both nodded, "Suppose."

I shook my head and smiled at the blonde, "I forgot how competitive you can be. He's seven Naomi, what's your excuse?"

They both stared at me like I was mad.

"What does it matter how old he is?" Naomi questioned as Danny looked indignant.

Oh great, now it was gang up on Emily time, one subject change coming up, "Right, who fancies some lunch?"

On cue Naomi's stomach rumbled, "I think I might be"

"Yeah, I'm starving." Danny confirmed as he stood up.

"I'll just switch off the computer and then I'll be down." I explained.

Naomi nodded towards the door, "Come on then Dan, how about I get us something to drink?"

He nodded, "it's thirsty work playing cards. I watched a man on the telly and he drank lots of coke but it only made him fall off his stool, they asked him to stop after that."

Naomi laughed as she ushered him through the door, "I think it might have been a bit stronger than coke, anyway how come you were watching poker?"

Danny shrugged, "Cook had a sleepover with Auntie Katie one night and he was watching it when I got up for a glass of milk."

"Was he now? I might have to have a word with Cook about what's appropriate viewing for a seven year old." Naomi replied.

I watched them leave and just before she disappeared Naomi glanced up and smiled. I didn't care if she caught me staring nor if she could tell what I was thinking as I smiled back, she was completely adorable.

"I love you." the words burst out before I could stop them.

Naomi's smile widened and her eyes sparkled, "I know."

I sat with a cheesy grin plastered to my face, maybe she wasn't ready to say it back yet, but I could wait because the look she gave me before she disappeared filled me with hope that it was only a matter of time.