THE PLAN
Chapter 3
Castle didn't call her the next day, and Kate waited almost half the day for him to call or even show up. She was upset. No, scratch that. She was mad at him. How dare he stand her up like this!
She had class the next day and stewed throughout the whole day.
When she came home, she was surprised to find him sitting beside her mother. "Katie, look who's here!"
Kate huffed out something and went straight to her bedroom.
Johanna excused herself and tracked her down. "What was that, Katie?"
"He knew I had no classes the day before and didn't call me. He didn't even bother to show up. So to hell with him." Kate was beyond angry.
"Katie, you shouldn't pass judgment before you hear his side of the story. For your information, he wasn't even in the City yesterday. He got a late notice and had to leave. I found him sitting out front, waiting for someone to come home. So pull yourself together, come out into the living room, and apologize to him for how you acted.
"NOW, KATIE!" Johanna left her, hoping her daughter would do the right thing.
A downcast and contrite Kate showed up in the living room and stood there. "I'm sorry for the way I acted. It wasn't your fault, it was mine. I'm so sorry."
"Apology accepted," Rick said and smiled at her.
"Now that that's over, I invited Mr. Castle to join us for dinner," Johanna told her.
"Okay." Kate felt terrible about what she had done when she got home.
"You can sit and keep Mr. Castle company while I cook," Johanna said. "Unless you want to show off your cooking skill and help with dinner?"
Kate bit her lip. "I think I'll keep Castle company."
Johanna shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Kate sat in a chair on the other side of the room, away from him. "Mom told me you had to leave the City yesterday."
"Yes, it was sudden. I didn't even think about our date, which isn't actually a date-date. I'm sorry." Rick stood up. "But I'll tell you what, I'll make it up to you. The next time without classes, I'll spend the entire day with you. How's that?"
"The entire day?" Kate challenged him.
"Yep. From say 8 in the morning to 10 or 11 that night or even later. I promise." Rick waited to see what she would say.
Kate thought about it. An entire day with Castle didn't sound so bad. Though, she was sure to have homework. Much like today, she had at least some homework. But she figured she could make it up the following day even if she had to spend all day at it.
"All day. You've got yourself a deal."
"Great." He suddenly pulled her up against him, and Kate let out a breath. She wasn't expecting that. Kate thought he was going to kiss her. Did she want him to kiss her? He had kissed her the last time, and she had liked it.
"I promise it'll be the date to end all dates," Rick vowed. Then suddenly, the front door opened, and her dad walked in. They practically jumped apart, and Kate tried to make herself presentable.
Right off, Jim spotted him and his daughter. "Mr. Castle."
"Please call me Rick or just Castle. Don't make me sound old prematurely."
"Well, Just Castle, what brings you by?" Jim teased.
Rick gave him a look. "I came to apologize to Kate for not keeping our date which isn't really a date. I was called out of town unexpectedly."
"It was a date." Kate gave in to the inevitable. This date/not-a-date thing was getting old real fast.
"I'm glad to hear it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to change and freshen up." Jim headed for the bedroom.
"Where were we?" Rick asked her. "Oh yes, we were discussing out date." He pulled her in tight against his body again and trapped her hands between them so that they were on his chest.
She couldn't help but look up at him and desperately wanted him to kiss her. Except her mother called from the kitchen. She wanted Kate to help with dinner after all.
"Coming, Mom." Kate extracted herself from his arms and walked into the kitchen. Rick decided to follow and watch these two.
~oo0oo~
Dinner was nice, but it was over, and Rick was excusing himself for the evening. "Until our date." He bowed dramatically and let himself out.
"I like him," Johanna announced and began picking up dirty plates to take into the kitchen. "You can help, you know."
"Yes, Mom," Kate grumbled but picked up two of the plates and took them into the kitchen.
"So, another date. This time it's a real date?" Johanna questioned her.
"Yes, Mom, it's a real date. He's planning to make it up to me by spending the entire day with me."
"Really. And what about homework?" Johanna waited impatiently for an answer from her.
"I'll spend the whole day Sunday working on homework, promise. So I can go?" She didn't need her permission. She was 18 years old, after all.
"Yes, you can go," Johanna said. "But don't forget to tell your father about this date."
"Ohh," Kate fumed, but she would tell him anyway.
~oo0oo~
Kate counted the days, then the hours, and finally the minutes as she watched the clock. She was going to spend the entire day with Castle!
At last, there was a knock on the door, and Kate raced to open it. Castle was on the other side. "Ready to go?" Rick asked.
"Yep, just need my coat. Mom, Castle's here. I'm leaving," she yelled and Johanna came out of the kitchen.
"Have a good time, dear." Johanna watched her leave with Castle. She smiled and retreated to the kitchen.
Kate was anxious to start their date. "So what's first?"
"Breakfast is first," Rick said. "Unless you've already eaten."
"Nope."
"Well, okay then." Rick took her off to get breakfast.
Kate stared at him as the taxi stopped in the parking lot. "Burger King?"
"Yeah, I've found that I love their Croissan'wich." He opened the door for her and followed her inside.
Rick stepped up to the counter. "I'll have the fully loaded Croissan'wich meal with coffee."
"I'll have the sausage, egg, and cheese Croissan'wich with a Coke, please," Kate said. "Wait, make that with orange juice instead."
"Wow, that's some sandwich," Kate commented as they sat down to eat.
Rick grinned. "I'm a growing boy." And he took a big bite.
Kate shook her head. "You'll be growing with that many calories, all right." Rick stuck his tongue out at her for that comment and she grinned at him.
"So what comes after breakfast?" Kate asked.
"Not telling," Rick said. "It's a surprise."
"I hate surprises," Kate responded.
"Really? I would have thought you loved surprises." Rick sighed. "Well, it's a surprise, so deal with it."
Kate glared at him but put up with it.
He flagged down a taxi. "175 Central Park West," he told the driver.
Kate recognized the address. "The Planetarium. I grew up here, you know. I know where just about everything is."
"Since it doesn't open until 10 o'clock, we have some time to waste," Rick noted.
It was pay-what-you-wish, and Rick paid 50 dollars each. Kate was impressed until she remembered he was rich.
They wandered around at first, then they went to the show. They spent three hours in the Planetarium. It was well worth it.
It was just after 1 o'clock when they left. "So what's next for us?" Kate asked him.
"Lunch."
"Just a salad for me," Kate said.
"I was thinking pizza but if you want salad, I suppose they'll have a salad option." Rick gave the taxi driver an address. "214 Hicks Street, Brooklyn." He was trying to stay in Brooklyn, as far away from the real Castle as he could manage.
Kate didn't know that address so she sat back and made herself comfortable.
Kate read the sign. "Dellarocco's Brick Oven Pizza." Sure enough they had salads. But she stole a piece of Castle's pizza and smiled at him when she did it. She didn't even finish her salad. She was too full from pizza even though it was just one slice, albeit a large one.
They ate mostly in silence. Neither was sure just what to say. It was too new, this dating thing.
It was just after 2 o'clock. "What's next?" Kate queried.
"Well, since you hate surprises..."
"I do," Kate confirmed.
"We're going to go to Fort Tryon Park, 99 Margaret Corbin Drive next." Rick waited to see if she knew what was there.
Kate thought about that address. Finally, she came up with something. "The Cloisters?"
"Very good." Rick was impressed. "You certainly know your way around. Have you been there before?"
"Once, but it was long ago. I was just a child, I think." She looked up at him. "Isn't it supposed to be romantic or something?"
"I wouldn't know about that. Ready to go?" Rick watched her nod.
~oo0oo~
Set in a lovely park overlooking the Hudson River, the Cloisters houses the Met's medieval art and architecture collections. A path winds through the peaceful grounds to a castle that seems to have survived from the Middle Ages.
Kate's hand was in his as they walked. She squeezed his hand in response.
They talked and talked about nothing at all. Save for seeing this or seeing that. All the while holding hands. It was lovely and very romantic.
It was just after 5 o'clock when they left the Cloisters.
"And now?" Kate asked.
"Next is at Central Park West at 79th Street."
Kate thought and thought. "I don't know that one. What is it?"
"It's the The Butterfly Conservatory at AMNH," Rick told her.
"Butterfly Conservatory? I've never heard of it." He had really stumped her.
~oo0oo~
In what feels like a makeshift rain forest, a winding path leads you through an enchanted landscape where you'll marvel at 500 vibrant butterflies fluttering in the air. Plus, you can reconnect with nature while staying nice and cozy in the temperature-controlled exhibition room, set to a balmy 80°F to protect these winged beauties.
"That was amazing! Thank you," Kate told him. "What are we doing next?"
Rick checked his watch. It was after 7 o'clock. "We have just about an hour to kill before dinner. Any suggestions?"
Kate thought about it. "I have an idea."
Rick rolled his eyes. "Let me guess. It's a secret."
"Yep, come on, let's go." She took his hand and dragged him along behind her.
"514 Union Street, Brooklyn," Kate told the driver.
"Where are we going? No, don't tell me; it's a surprise." Rick watched her smile at him.
~oo0oo~
"What is this place?" Rick didn't know where he was, though he was glad he was in Brooklyn.
"It's shuffleboard. It's a game," Kate told him. "And best of all, they have a food truck. It's a rotating food truck, so I don't know which one will be here, but we don't have to leave."
"Shuffleboard?" Rick didn't know what that was.
"You don't know what shuffleboard is? What planet are you from?" Kate looked at him funny.
"I'm from Planet Earth," Rick responded. Just from a different time.
"Right. I'm going to go find us a place so we can play." Kate left him and went to the desk to find out if they had space.
"I got us a space and the food truck is Elżbieta Polish Truck. Not that I'm sure just what that is, but it sounds exotic, and I'm going to kick your butt," Kate informed him.
~oo0oo~
Kate had been watching him. "You've never played this game before, have you?"
"Nope. Does it show?" Rick asked her with a look on his face that said, Please lie.
"Yep." Kate smiled at him.
"Some friend you are," Rick complained. "I should turn you in for a new one."
"You'll never find a friend as good as me," Kate said quietly.
"No?"
"No, Rick. And it's your turn," Kate reminded him.
Rick pushed and hit his own, knocking it off the board. He collapsed.
She grinned. "Like taking candy from a baby."
"What bet," he asked. "I don't remember making a bet."
"But, I do. I remember a bet and you're going to owe me big time."
"Oh boy." Rick rolled his eyes.
Kate laughed at him.
~oo0oo~
"I'll try the blueberry pierogi, not that I know what that is." She whispered that last part to Castle.
Then Rick spoke up. "And I'll try the potato and cheese pierogi."
They stood off to one side and wait for their meal. "What's a pierogi?" Rick whispered to her.
"I haven't got the slightest idea," Kate whispered back to him.
They were about to find out.
~oo0oo~
"Okay, time for a taste test." Kate took a deep breath. "Together?"
They each took a bite and they both made a face of disgust. "It's...good."
Rick looked at her like she had lost her mind. "You're kidding, right? Please say you're kidding!""
"Can we go somewhere else for dinner?" Kate asked hopefully.
"Good idea." He threw his in the trash, and Kate's followed his.
Together they went outside and looked around. Rick pointed to the left. "I see the word BBQ."
"That works for me," Kate said, and hand-in-hand, they went that way.
She read the sign and shrugged. "Pig Beach BBQ." What did they have to lose?
Kate made up her mind. "I'll try Chef Jeff's Brisket Sandwich."
"And I'll try the Baby Back Ribs, half rack please," Rick told him. "We'll also need a large order of french fries."
They sat there and waited for their order. "This better work out or we're going to go hungry." Rick could swear he felt his stomach rumble.
Kate squeezed his hand. "I have a good feeling about this one. I'm having fun."
"Good, so am I. Except for that shuffleboard thing." Rick complained about that.
Kate smiled at him. "Oh, just admit it. You liked losing to me."
"No. No, I didn't," Rick insisted and smiled at her.
"Yes, yes, you did," Kate argued. "And I accepted your loss graciously."
"Graciously? I seem to recall you rubbed my nose in it." Rick got Kate to laugh with that one.
"I didn't do that. …Much. Okay, so maybe I did. A little." She used her thumb and forefinger to show just a little.
Rick used his to show how big, getting Kate to laugh.
"This looks good," Rick said with some excitement as their meals showed up.
~oo0oo~
Rick sighed. He was absolutely stuffed. "Wow, that was really good."
"Can you show me where you live?" Kate asked. "You know where I live. It seems only fair."
"Okay." Rick was willing to do that.
"50 Bridge Park Drive, Brooklyn," Rick told the taxi driver.
Kate didn't know where that was. She didn't know Brooklyn that well.
~oo0oo~
Kate looked up at the glass building. "You live here?"
"Yep, this is me. Second floor." Rick held out his hand to her. "Come on, I'll take you up."
"Okay." But suddenly Kate wasn't so sure.
She stood next to him on the elevator up to the second floor and got off. "You have your own elevator lobby?"
Kate followed him inside. "This is the kitchen. Three bedrooms are down there. Oh, and the media room and the laundry room. And this is the living room." Rick walked her into it.
"WOW! …Look at that view." She walked straight to the windows. "You can see the Brooklyn Bridge from here." She turned to face him. "This is nice." She realized where she was. "Um...nice."
"Can I get you something?" Rick inquired. "Not that I have much."
"NO, that's okay," Kate blurted.
"The primary bedroom is through here." Rick headed for the door to show her that room.
"I'm sure it's fine. If it looks as nice as everything else, I'm sure it's…fine." Kate's voice trailed off.
It was obvious there was a problem, but Rick didn't know what it was. "What's wrong?"
"NOTHING. Nothing's wrong," Kate said quickly.
"Something is wrong. Tell me what it is. …Kate?" Rick pressed her to find out what was wrong.
"Okay, I'll come right out and say it. It feels like you'll want sex with me now that I'm here." Kate was ready to bolt for the door.
Rick just stared at her. "But it was your idea to come up here, and no, I don't expect you to have sex with me. That's not me."
"I know it was. Wait, you don't want to have sex with me?" Kate crossed her arms across her chest. "What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing's wrong with you. I would love to have sex with you. I mean… I don't know what I mean." Rick sat down and sulked.
Kate sat down next to him. "I'm not a virgin, just so you know."
He sighed. "That doesn't make it better, Kate."
"Sorry." Kate didn't look at him when she asked, "So you want to have sex with me?"
"Yes…and no. Yes, I would love to have sex with you. You're beautiful, you're sexy, and you're smart. Maybe a bit vulnerable. And no, I don't want to have sex with you. Not like this. I want it to be your idea. Not because you think you have to but because you want to. When you're ready."
"That's… That's so sweet." Kate hugged him. "When I'm ready."
Rick caressed her cheek. "When you're ready, I'll be here."