Red Tiles

chapter 3

    The little coffee meeting turned into a date real fast. We were seated across from each other, coffee cups in front of us, sitting at one of those little outside tables that are really pretty and fancy looking.

"You know, we should do this more often. Just you, me, and the magic of the coffee shop." I laughed.

"You know, this was actually fun. I expected you to do something stupid to try and get me to go out with you again. But you know, this isn't bad at all. I would definitely do this again." He perked up.

"Really? Because I know this really great place we can go, they have the best pasta." I smiled.

"Oh yeah? Where's this place?" He smirked.

"My kitchen. Maybe you'll let me take you there some time for dinner, say, tonight?" I gave him the look, trying not to smile.

"I'll think about it." He pumped his fist like a small child would if they heard the word 'yes'.

"Yes!" I smirked.

"Hey, don't get too excited. I said 'maybe'." He shrugged, smiling like a dork.

"I'm excited. Usually you just flat out say no. The fact that you said maybe, means you're obviously considering saying yes. Come on... How do I get you to say yes to me?" I shrugged and stood up.

"I guess you'll have to figure it out."

My phone rang, so I quickly answered.

"Kyle."

"Dr. Kyle?"

"Ah yes, Mr. Smith. What can I do for you?" I stepped away so Tommy wouldn't hear.

"Where are you? I found COD."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Smith. You're going to have to report to Miss. Bellafonte or Dr. Stone. I'm off the case. But I'm sure you will do excellent work while I'm gone, because your job depends on it. Good luck to you, Mr. Smith."

"Oh, um, thank you, Dr. Kyle. Would you still like to know how the victim died?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm not the person you're to be reporting to. I will let you get back to work now." I hung up.

"Who was that?" Tommy asked.

"Just my newest intern, Mr. Smith." He nodded.

"Sounds like you're fond of him," he teased. I shook my head.

"No, actually I find him to be quite a nuisance. But he's the only intern we had available while my other assistant is out. Do you remember Jason Harris? He's not going to be able to come back for a few months due to surgery for a hip replacement that went bad. He got a bad bone, a very weak one, and he has to get a new one so it's going to take a while because there's other people in front of him on the transplant list." Tommy nodded.

"I hope he's okay." I nodded.

"Me too." He placed a check for the coffees on the table with the bill and we started walking down the sidewalk. He casually put his arm around my bony shoulders. I looked up at him, smiling kindly.

"Sorry," he said, looking away and removing his arm. I shook my head and moved closer to him, putting my arm around his slim waist. He smiled and put his arm back where it had been. We walked a long time like that. My short, copper brown hair blew with the warm breeze as we made our way down the sidewalk.

We stopped inside the chapel we were passing through, and he took both of my hands in his, standing in front of me. His hands were significantly bigger than mine. I could hear soft music playing.

"Dance with me?" I looked up at him, surprised.

"Huh?" I wasn't sure I'd heard him right.

"Dance with me," he repeated. I blushed, nodding a little bit. He wrapped his muscular arm around my petite waist, holding my hand in his. I put my other hand on his shoulder. He led us, moving very slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. He spun me around one time, slow, and then when the song ended, he pulled me close and did a slow dance with me, my head pressed against his chest the whole time. His left hand held my small right hand, and his right arm was around my back, his hand resting on the back of my head.

For the first time ever, I could feel his soft side. When that song ended, I looked up at him, pointing my left index finger to him.

"You planned this, didn't you?" I accused. He looked from side to side, innocently, then back at me.

"Me? Plan something romantic to try to get you to finally admit you like me and agree to go out with me? I would never," he said sarcastically. I slowly shook my head.

I was about to say something but before any words could come out, his lips were pressed up against mine. It lasted a long time. I could feel a little connection that I'd never felt before. Like electricity. It was as if the whole world stopped while our lips touched.

When I stepped back, he was blushing a little and looked unsure of himself, as if he was worried I'd be upset with him. I reached up, standing on my tiptoes, and quickly kissed him back, hard, letting him know it was okay. I grabbed his hand as I stepped back once again, pulling him out of the chapel with me. We walked on. He had a look on his face as if in shock the entire time.

"So, was that a yes or a no to my date offer for tonight?" I laughed.

"Yes, I will go out with you tonight. I was hoping I'd already made that clear but I guess not." He smiled.

"Oh, no no no, I think that was very clear."

We went back to the truck. He opened the door for me and helped me in, then jogged around to the other side and got in. "Where do you want to go?" He asked casually. I shrugged.

"I don't know, where do people usually go when they're kicked out of work? It's not like I have anything to do today," I grumbled, annoyed with Detective Curby. Suddenly, his phone rang.

"James."

I heard a man's voice on the other side; it was deep, and a little rough at the beginning but overall, he had a smooth, monotone voice. It was Ryan. They talked for a few minutes, then Tommy hung up and started the car.

"Where are we going?" We were on the road now.

"Ryan wants me to come in for a quick second. You want me to drop you at home or you wanna come with?" I shook my head.

"I'm going with you." He smiled and settled back a bit, putting his arm across my shoulders

"Figured." I laughed and leaned my head on his shoulder, watching out the window as the trees flew by.

When we got there, Ryan was waiting on the building steps.

"James, we've got an issue." He came over. Tommy turned to me, grabbing my hand gently.

"Um, JayJay, why don't you go up to my office and I'll be up there in a few minutes, okay?" I nodded. He gave me his keys and kissed my cheek. I went in while he and Ryan stayed out there to talk. They both came up a few minutes later. I was sitting in the chair beside James's desk, talking to my father on the phone. Tommy set a file folder and binder on his desk. I hung up and stood.

"Another case?" They looked at each other.

"Dr. Kyle, I just informed Agent James of a new case that showed up at my office this morning. Another body was found." I was surprised.

"Where?" He narrowed his gaze in suspicion.

"You aren't going to like this much, but you don't seem too surprised anyway." I rolled my eyes and looked at him, annoyed.

"It was found in your office."