Katie's Cafe

12

I finally take a look in the mirror after Hannah has spent the past two hours pampering me like a show dog. I don't look half bad if I do say so myself.

You would never know that underneath all of this makeup I'm completely exhausted from a surprisingly busy Sunday at the cafe. If I wasn't going to Tom's tonight then I gladly would've crawled into bed by now.

"Here, I nipped out to the shop when you were in the shower earlier and got you this. I think it's considered rude not to bring a bottle of something. I made sure it's none alcoholic".

Hannah hands me the bottle.

"Thank you for all this," I give her a big hug.

"You look beautiful by the way. You never know, maybe you'll get lucky tonight?"

"I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon".

"I know that it's still touchy subject for you, but maybe it's time for you to get back in the saddle and have some fun?"

"You know it's not that simple, and I'm supposed to be finding out about the investigation, not sleeping with him".

Every single time I thought about the idea of being touched by a man in that way it just brought back old memories, and not the good kind.

"Your taxi is downstairs. Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be".

I have to compose myself in the back of the taxi on the way to his place. This was the first time I'd ever been on a real date, even if it was just dinner at a man's home.

The street he lives on is really nice. For some reason I'd always assumed that he would live in an apartment like I do, but he must have a house around here.

When the taxi pulls up at his address, I'm surprised at just how big his house actually is.

After paying the driver, I nervously ring the doorbell and I can already hear Max barking when Tom opens up the door to welcome me inside.

"I'm really glad you could make it. You look beautiful".

"Thank you. Do I need to take my shoes off or...?" I ask this because he has a nice house with cream carpets.

"No, not at all," he chuckles.

"Hannah said I should bring this with me".

Once I've handed him the bottle of wine, he kindly takes my jacket and hangs it up next to the door.

He shows me to the dining room where the table is all set up and Max comes over to me wagging his tail like he's happy to see me again. So adorable.

"Hey, big man," I give him lots of cuddles.

"I think he's missed you".

"Well I missed him too. He's my new best friend".

"You're really good with him. Do you have a dog of your own?"

"I wish. My landlord has a strict no pet rule, and with me working such long hours it would be cruel to leave one alone for that long anyway".

"That's understandable. It was rather difficult to find a reliable dog walker when I moved here so Max wouldn't be alone at home all day".

"I bet it was. This is a really nice house you have here by the way".

"You sound genuinely surprised," he laughs while pouring us both a glass of the wine I'd brought with me.

"Sorry. I guess I just didn't realise that detectives made enough money to afford a house like this one".

"Well, the sale of the old house paid for most of it, and the rest was from my savings".