T h i r s t

f i f t e e n

I tapped my finger against the glass, glancing at my phone for the time yet again. Where was he?

I opened his text again, which read : Traffic. Be there in 10.

It had been 20 minutes past. Maybe his finger slipped as he was typing and really meant to type 30. He did have very basic phone skills. I smiled, reminiscing about every time he typed, using only one finger.

I craned my neck back and sighed, feeling the knots pop. Two more years, I told myself. They would slip away soon enough. Just like 6 months with him did. I smiled, wondering if he would like the gift.

"Excuse me miss, is your boyfriend coming back?"

I jerked my head up to see him, all suave and dressed in a black suit. I stood up and corrected his bow tie. He really went all out.

"No, he stood me up." I said, reaching up and kissing his cheek. Ryan tittered.

"Traffic." He explained, rolling his eyes. It was so uncharacteristic. "You look ravishing."

"I know . . . Do you know how charming you can be if you just tried?"

"Too much effort." He shrugged. "But I did wear that cologne that made you wet that time."

I sighed and sat back down. "I stand corrected."

He chuckled and took the seat opposite to mine, alight underneath the chandelier. He looked really, really good. But I wasn't going to tell him that.

"Did you order already?" He asked at the lack of menus and a drink already in front of me.

"Yeah, I got you the steak. Medium rare. Sauce on the side." I flashed him a smile, offering him my drink.

He nodded . . . appreciatively? As he took a sip.

"My mother warned me about women like you, you know?"

I frowned and leaned in.

"Who ordered food for me, and told me what to wear . . . "

"Oh, my God, shut up . . ." I shook my head, rubbing my forehead.

". . . tell me I should quit my job to watch the kids."

"I will stab you." I warned, picking up the knife.

He chuckled. "I thought doctors weren't supposed to harm people."

"Publicly." I smirked, setting the knife down. "If we were alone, they would never find your body."

His eyes widened, but he was clearly amused. "Does the fact that I'm a detective with 20 years behind me factor in at all?"

"In what way?" I smirked, taking the glass back and sipping. We went back and forth.

"Come on, kitten, give me some credit. I have sharper instincts. You'd never be able to sneak up on me."

"Why not? It's not like I smell like nicotine all the time."

He sighed, ducking his head down in a chuckle. "True, but I'd know your perfume anywhere."

"I wouldn't wear perfume, I'm not stupid." I scoffed.

"I'd know the scent of your body anywhere." He said, taking my hand and I momentarily melted.

"I'd wear your clothes." I snapped, pulling my hand back.

"That, I can believe." He chuckled.

"I'd sneak up on you in the shower."

"I love it when you do that." He smiled with his lip bitten, reaching for my hand again.