Breaking the Lock

One

Kelly's Diner was decorated for Valentine's Day. A string of pink and red paper hearts hung over the window to the kitchen and red and white lights lined the outside windows. Each table had a vase with a single red rose and the jukebox in the corner was filled with love songs. It seemed like everywhere he went, there were reminders of the upcoming holiday. Not that he minded. He was ready for it. He had a reservation at The Metro Court, the site of their first date, and he had a gift ready to give. All he needed was the girl. For Nathan West, there was only one person that could be. Maxie Jones.

But Valentine's Day wasn't until tomorrow and until then, Nathan had work. But before work, he needed coffee. TJ Ashford was behind the counter, texting someone on his phone. Nathan cleared his throat trying to get TJ's attention.

"Sorry about that, Detective," TJ said shoving his phone in his pocket. "Trying to figure out where to take Molly for Valentine's Day. Everywhere I've called is booked up. What can I get for you?"

"Coffee, to go," Nathan replied.

"You need something to eat with that? Soup of the day is chicken noodle. It's good. But if you'd rather have something else, I'm getting ready to make some BLT's."

"Uh, no thanks," he answered with a grin. "I will take some of the soup though."

"You got it." TJ disappeared into the kitchen leaving Nathan at the counter. He sat on one of the barstools, reaching for his own phone as it trilled the arrival of a new text.

Where are you? Stay there. Just got good news from Lucy.

Nathan smiled to himself. Maxie had been on a job hunt for a month now. She had been talking to Lucy for a while, throwing ideas around in the hopes of sparking Lucy's interest. So far, Maxie had struck out. Not for lack of trying or good ideas though. Lucy Coe simply didn't have the capitol to get anything new started. At least she was honest with Maxie about it. Something must have changed though.

At Kellys picking up coffee and lunch before work. Staying here.

TJ returned with Nathan's soup in a bowl. He set it on the counter in front of Nathan, looking distracted and annoyed. Nathan watched as TJ turned to coffee pot and poured a coffee into a ceramic cup. TJ pushed the cup towards Nathan, staring at it silently. Nathan raised his eyebrows and looked back at TJ who stared at Nathan in return.

"Something happen back there?" Nathan asked.

"What do you mean?" Nathan looked down at the bowl in front of him pointedly. TJ followed his gaze, blinking at it in confusion until he realized his mistake. "Oh man. I'm sorry. I'll get you a to go container. I don't know what I was thinking."

Nathan grinned. He had a pretty good idea what TJ was thinking about. He felt for the kid. He definitely knew what it was like to want to make the woman in your life happy and not be able to through no fault of his own. He'd gone through months of that with Maxie. Things were different now thankfully.

"You want to talk about it?" Nathan asked when TJ returned with the to go container.

TJ sighed heavily. "I just wanted this Valentine's Day to be special for Molly that's all. She deserves it. But I'm just a broke college kid. Even if I wanted to take her somewhere special, I couldn't afford it. I don't even know why I tried."

"Because you care about her," Nathan replied simply. "You want her to be happy. There's no shame in that."

"Thanks. Got any ideas for a low budget Valentine date?" TJ asked sounding dejected. Nathan's decision was quick and, he realized, painless. What difference did it make where he and Maxie spent Valentine's Day together as long as they were just that: together.

"You know what TJ, I didn't want to tell Maxie this, but I have to work tomorrow night. I made reservations for us at The Metro Court that we won't be able to use now. You wouldn't be interested in using it would you?"

TJ's expression brightened considerably. "Are you sure? I mean, I don't know how I'll pay for the food or anything but I'd love to use it. Won't your girlfriend be upset though?"

"She'll understand." Nathan stood and reached for his wallet to pay for the coffee and soup. "Here," he handed TJ a twenty. "You can keep the change. Maybe it'll help defray the costs of the meal."

"Thanks Detective West!" TJ turned to the cash register and rang Nathan's sale. "I really hope Maxie doesn't mind you having to work. It would suck if she got mad about being ditched tomorrow."

"Did I hear that right?" Maxie Jones said from behind Nathan. "Are you ditching me on Valentine's Day?"

TJ ducked out of the line of Maxie's ire, disappearing into the kitchen. Nathan turned to face Maxie who was watching him with an expectant gaze. He grinned, leaning back against the counter casually.

"You're hearing things," he said smiling broadly.

"Am I? I distinctly heard him say that it would suck if I got mad about being ditched tomorrow. And tomorrow is Valentine's Day. What's going on Nathan?"

"I promise, I am not ditching you." He glanced over his shoulder to make sure TJ couldn't hear. "I gave TJ our reservation at The Metro Court. He really wanted to take his girlfriend somewhere nice."

Maxie softened. "That was really sweet."

"So you're not mad?" He asked holding out his hand to her.

She took it and leaned in closer. "Of course not. I don't care what we do tomorrow. Just as long as we're together. That's all that matters to me," she replied.

"I thought you might say that."

"Oh you did? Are you a mind reader now?" She teased. He shrugged. "Fine. Then tell me what I was coming here to tell you. That is, IF you can read minds."

"Lucy Coe gave you a job."

"Close." She bounced a little on her feet in excitement. "Lucy's trying to buy Crimson from Julian Jerome. She said if she does, she wants me to be the Fashion Editor. Me! Can you believe it? I'm getting Crimson back. I can see my daughter whenever I want. And I have you." She flung her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I'm so happy right now, Nathan. I don't think anything could possibly ruin it."