"I apologize if my call might seem off-putting."
Leaning against a shelving unit displaying a large selection of garlic and onions, Esposito lowered his head, torn between surprise and an undeniable smidgeon of dread.
"No worries, I am just…I am at work right now, so…"
"It seems that in your position, you are always at work. I guess mine is no different."
Apparently, Allison Banes had used her fame as leverage to get a hold of his cell phone number. And while part of him didn't mind talking to the attractive singer and songwriter, the other part loathed the public spectacle their morning meeting had already caused.
"I chase my guys. You have people chasing you."
He wasn't sure why he'd said that, but it seemed to strike a chord with his conversation partner.
"And I make money off my passion, you barely get any respect. It's a shame, really."
An uncomfortable silence ensued and Javier drew in a deep breath, hearing the conversation in the back quiet down as Kevin went through his usual spiel of thanking the witness and handing over his business card. Feeling as though he was being caught in the act, he took a few steps farther away from his partner, going as far as turning his back toward him.
"Speaking of which, I really need to get back to work but I appreciate you calling. I am glad we were able to keep you and your crew safe."
On the other end of the line, he could hear Allison sigh, then switch the phone to her other ear while she was typing something into a computer.
"I totally understand, and I apologize for taking up your time, detective. I guess I was just wondering if I could express my gratitude in taking you out to dinner? I promise I will be in disguise, and it will be a quiet spot where nobody would expect me."
Right away, the cordial denial was on the tip of his tongue. More exposure, more chances to piss off an irate Gates should the press see them together once again, and most of all, too much female attention after Lanie and he had just called it quits…or taking a break…or whatever the latest debacle would translate into.
"You're not used to being asked to go out, I take it?", she followed up, causing him to blush.
"No, I do. I mean, usually I ask somebody out, not the other way around but yeah."
"Then how about I have one of my drivers pick you up at your apartment around 9pm. That sound alright?"
"You're not pulling any punches, are you?", he began, starting to grow nervous when he felt Kevin's gaze on him.
"In my industry, you have to be pushy or you're taking a chance to be drowned out by others. I will see you at 9pm, detective."
No.
He wanted to say it, stop whatever was happening in the making.
No, he didn't want to take her up on that offer, deal with more mixed feelings than his battered heart already had to endure.
Lanie's face…since their breakup, he'd seen it on every surface, every glass, every newspaper article and any other benign belonging. Missing her and cursing her at the same time; he'd stoically endured the pain, written it off as a scar that would forever be with him.
But as such, was he really cheating on her going out with the singer? After all, this was a thank-you sort of dinner. There would be other people. Some good food maybe. And a cordial thank you. And why shouldn't he accept being that he was the one throwing himself into harm's way? He usually never did get any thanks, so why not use the opportunity?
With renewed reaffirmation, he was about to agree to the meeting when the line went dead, signaling that Allison had already hung up.
So much forgetting a choice in the matter.
Releasing a slow breath and hoping it would help ward off the heat he felt on his face and neck, Esposito slid the cellphone back into his coat pocket, then turned around to meet his partner's eyes with feigned neutrality.
"We're done here, bro?"
"You tell me. Anything come out of your phone call? Beckett find anything?"
"No…no, she…it wasn't her.", he stammered helplessly, then walked to the front door, gesturing for Kevin to follow, "But we should find out where her and Castle are hiding."
