Lost Heir

ch. 33

Nikki rushed down the stairs when she heard the door bell ring. It was neither too late nor too early to be worry or wonder about who was at her door but for the mere fact that neither she nor Mrs. Baker had any "friends" to pay "visits." They lived in a busy, loud area with very inquisitive neighbours, so one way or the other, she was relatively safe. 

Without really hesitating, she opened the door. "Hi!" The visitor sang in a very cheerful voice.

"Detective?"

"Hi!...Again.?

"What are you doing here?"

"You...uuhhh...stood me up on our date yesterday."

Her mouth hung open. "That was yesterday?" He nodded. "Can I come in?"

"Yes. Sure." She opened the door wider for him.

When he stepped in, he took off his sweater. He expected the day to go just fine, seeing as his permission to take the day off was accepted but it seemed like the weather had different plans for him.

Cold as the north pole.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry." Nikki started to explain, apologetically. "I totally forgot. I had the longest day yesterday and it just...slipped." She had a sorry look on her face.

"No, it's okay. I only waited for two hours."

"Oh God! Stop talking. You're making me feel worse." She sighed. "Why didn't you call me to remind me? I would have come."

Kevin smiled. The whole of last night he feared she probably didn't come to the date because she didn't want to so the excuse she gave him-in a weird way- did a lot to stroke his ego.

Nikki sighed. They allowed the silence until she spoke out. "How do you know where i live anyway?"

"I asked around. Remember I dropped you off around the neighbourhood a week ago we met." He explained. Once again, they were left in silence.

"So, you want some coffee?" Nikki asked after she started feeling awkward. "Sure."

She lead him to the living area. "It's not that big." She explained. He smiled at her. She didn't have to be shy about where she lived. In fact, it was quite decent. "It's fine. I feel comfortable already." He joked, erupting a giggle from her. She excused herself and walked over to the kitchen. It the living room and hall were in the same room so she could see him from where she stood. He was a police man but still...a stranger in some sense.

"Your coffee." She announced. A smile was plastered on his lips as he took it from her, thanked her and took a sip. "So..." Nikki took a seat on the far corner of the couch before continuing, "...why aren't you duty."

"Who said I wasn't?"

"You're in my house."

Kevin nodded. "Touché." He adjusted himself on the couch so he faced her. "I have the day off and decided to see you since I couldn't yesterday." He added then took a sip from his mug.

Nikki couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. It wasn't a blush. Just a simple smile. Simple. "How is the coffee?" She randomly asked.

"Good." He responded. "How's your knee?"

She looked down at her left knee. "It's still bruised but I almost forgot about it until the weather reminded me. Pretty cold today isn't it?"

He quirked an eyebrow at her. Placing his mug on the centre table, he said. "It's mostly like this. Aren't you from around here." He asked because she sounded like she wasn't accustomed to the cat and mouse games the weather played on their side of town.