A/N: Thank you the reviews; it's much appreciated!

Chapter 3

Erin looked in her walk-in closet wondering what in the world she was going to wear tonight.

She and Anthony had parted ways at the office agreeing to meet for drinks at 8:30pm at The Irish American Pub in downtown Manhattan.

She was sliding the clothes back and forth on their hangers in her closet, hating everything.

And for the record, what the heck do you wear on a …a date…with one's best friend? she thought wryly.

But then she saw it.

A sexy black top.

Not quite sleeveless but almost.

Accentuating her toned arms and was a snug fit around her middle.

She chose a pair of light colored denim jeans and some cute strappy sandals.

She spritzed Chanel No. 2 on and brushed her hair out until it shone. She added some more black eyeliner and decided what the heck.

Let's go for the red lipstick.

She jumped out of her Lyft ride feeling butterflies in her stomach.

What gives, it's just Anthony. She thought.

But so much had changed.

Anthony was seated at the bar when she walked in. His eyes lit up when he saw her and he smiled broadly, pulling out a stool for her.

He was wearing jeans and a pale blue linen shirt opened a few buttons at the top.

"You look so se–" Erin cut herself off. She was about to blurt out that he looked sexy but she caught herself. She started again seeing his puzzled face.

"Um, you look good. Really good," she smiled back at him and took a seat.

He grinned pleased at her compliment.

The bartender brought over two tall ice cold beer mugs and Erin happily took a big sip to calm her nerves not even caring what it was.

Why was she feeling so nervous?

Anthony on the other hand appeared as cool as a cucumber as he took a sip from his own glass. His eyes were momentarily fixed on the baseball game playing on the tv behind the bar.

Inside Anthony was sweating.

Sure they had hung out plenty of times. And in bars.

But not after they had practically ripped each others' clothes off.

He was trying to keep it casual but figured they both needed something to momentarily keep their minds off of the recent events…

"Hey about some darts?" he turned and asked her with a gleam in his eye.

"Oh I'm so gonna beat you," Erin's competitive nature rose up in her and she stood up happy to do something to break the awkwardness.

"Oh yea? Ok, winner buys drinks."

Erin paused, "You're on."

An hour into playing and having a few, Erin was feeling loosened up.

She always had a good time when she and Anthony were hanging out.

Anthony was cracking jokes and she felt lighter inside.

She excused herself to the ladies room and as she came back out, Anthony was passing by in the narrow hallway on his way out of the men's room.

She bumped into him as he was passing. "Oh sorry," she said, feeling a teeny bit tipsy on her third beer.

He stopped in place.

And suddenly they were close again.

The hall was dimly lit and no one else was coming or going.

And for a moment time stopped.

Anthony had his eyes on her and then he reached a hand to her face as he bent down and pulled her face gently towards his.

With both of his hands cupping her face he kissed her tenderly.

Erin felt her lips tingling as she kissed him back.

There was something so sweet and incredibly alluring about the way he cupped her face with both hands.

Her knees were turning to jelly as he pulled away, smiling handsomely down at her.

"You're so beautiful, Erin," he said softly.

The way he was looking at her…he had once called her a "hottie" and she had laughed it off.

But the way he said she was beautiful was different.

His look was much more serious this time…

Suddenly his phone was vibrating and he grabbed it out of his pocket.

"Hey I'm sorry, one sec," he apologized to her as he took the call.

"What?! Oh come on." she overheard him as he walked a few feet away. He ended the call and came back to her.

"Hey I'm so sorry but that suspect going to trial next week has skipped out on his bail and I need to do a stakeout tonight."

Erin felt her face fall, "Oh really? Darn."

"Yeah I'm sorry about this. Can I give you a ride home?" He offered.

"Well…how about I join you?"

"On the stakeout?"

"Yeah. Why not? Keep you company," she smiled sweetly at him.

"Yea ok why not," he agreed. At least he wouldn't be bored to death if this guy never showed up at his apartment.

Stakeouts seemed so glamorous in the old movies but meanwhile they were as boring as all get out just waiting and waiting for hours on end.

Anthony had beat her at darts but he walked over to the bartender and took care of their bill.

"Oh hey, I was supposed to buy," she protested with a hand on his arm.

He took her hand and held it in his. "You can make it up to me," he grinned with an alluring smile.

Erin felt her face flush at his insinuation and she laughed. "Ok."

Anthony opened the door to his classic car for her and she slid in feeling glad that she was accompanying him rather than heading home early.

A FEW HOURS LATER

Anthony and Erin were munching on snacks that he conveniently had in his car.

Erin realized she was starving after only having beers for dinner. Thankfully Anthony prepared for these stakeouts and they were munching on Slim Jims and peanut butter crackers.

"Aye yi yi. This guy," Anthony muttered leaning over the steering wheel to look up at the third floor apartment they were watching. "Watch, he never even shows."

He turned his head to look over at Erin and noticed she had some cracker crumbs on the side of her mouth.

He gently reached up and brushed the crumbs off, brushing her lip with his thumb.

Erin felt a shiver go through her.

She was so affected by Anthony's touch. Uncontrolled at times. Obviously she thought back to the supply closet and felt herself blush.

His thumb was stroking her cheek and he noticed when her skin warmed.

"What?" he asked her softly.

Erin felt her gaze drop and shook her head.

Suddenly her eyes caught movement outside the car.

Like someone running down the street.

He saw her expression change and dropped his hand as he turned to look.

" ' Ey! That's Santiago!" He flung open the driver's side door and drew his weapon. Shouting back at Erin, "Stay put!"

Erin watched for a moment and heard Anthony shout, "Santiago, police!"

Then had the thought that something was off. The guy they were following had run past his own apartment.

Leading Anthony towards a dark alley at the end of the street.

Something rose in her like terror and she jumped out of the passenger seat.

Thanks to her police roots family she had always carried a small handgun with her. She grabbed it out of her purse and ran after Anthony and the bail jumper.

Her suspicions were proven right as she approached the dark alley she heard a shot ring out.

Santiago emerged from the darkness firing directly towards Anthony.

"Anthony!" Erin screamed.

Thankfully Anthony had seen the guy turn around at the last minute at the end of the alley in order to fire the shot. He'd had enough sense to drop to the ground behind a dumpster and narrowly missed getting shot.

He turned back behind him in a crouched position when he heard Erin shout his name.

He felt the blood drain out of his face.

Oh no he thought.

Erin was standing right in the line of fire. She couldn't see Santiago in the darkness standing straight across from her ready to fire again.

"Erin!" Anthony cried out hoarsely.

Erin instinctually dropped down towards the building wall and suddenly Anthony had made his way to her. Inching along the wall without fully standing up, he grabbed her and pulled her behind the dumpster with him.

He grabbed a radio from his pocket and called for uniformed police backup.

They waited breathlessly to see what Santiago was going to do.

Suddenly they heard the rattle of a chain link fence. Anthony peered around the dumpster and saw the creep had somehow scaled an 8 foot high fence with barbed wire at the top. They heard him crash on the other side but sounded like he was ok enough to take off.

Sirens were heard and within moments three RMPs were rolling up to the alley, lights flashing.

Officers came running out with weapons drawn. Anthony stood up and went to fill them in.

After a few moments he came over to Erin.

"Hey, you ok?" He asked, putting an arm around her.

Erin took a deep breath. "Yes, thanks to you." She let out her breath feeling a bit rattled. "I don't know about you, but I could use another drink about now."

He looked down at her seeing she was noticeably shaken and nodded, "Yea ok. We'll find some place around here."

Erin didn't feel too comfortable being taken home where she would be alone. Nikki was away at college and her apartment was not only empty and alone but after tonight's event she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep too easily.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N: I just recently saw again the Blue Bloods ep, where Anthony called Erin a hottie and thought it was the cutest thing ever. These two need to be a couple already, darnit! Ok stopping my rant now.=) Hope you enjoyed and buckle up, it's gonna get fun and crazy coming up!