Avery

            Days quickly turn into weeks, and I am no closer to solving my first case.  I am also stressing about Troy, who remains elusive.  My thoughts continue to return to Katie.  I have been calling her to check in about once a week, claiming to be updating her on her case, but I just want to hear her voice.  I look forward to these weekly calls, although I try to keep them work related.  There is some type of curiosity developing, I haven’t felt this way since my first high school crush.  Of course, that had ended in disaster.  As I am calling her for my weekly check in, my pulse begins to race.  Katie answers, “Hello”

            “Katie, how are you doing?”  My question sounding more professional than personal.

            “I’m fine, although starving.  I am still here at the office, had an emergency come in, a poor cocker spaniel had been hit by a car.  It wasn’t too serious, luckily it only suffered a broken leg, and I was able to set it.  But unfortunately, I haven’t eaten yet.”  She sounds like she is babbling nervously, and is she hinting that she would like me to ask her out to eat?

            “I haven’t eaten yet either.”  I chuckle, “Would you like to have dinner together?”  I realize that I am holding my breath as I wait for her reply.  

            “Yes, I would!” She sounds excited, but then changes her tone, “Only if you would like to.”

            “I would love to.  Would you like me to pick you up at your place?”

            “That sounds good.  Give me a couple of hours to get home and get ready.”

            As I am driving over to Katie’s house, I find that I am extremely nervous.  I am going over in my mind things to talk about, so we don’t have any moments of awkward silence.  I inwardly laugh at myself, but I am also silently chastising myself for asking Katie out when she is the victim in a case I am supposed to be solving.  I pull up at Katie’s house, and before reaching the door, Katie comes out.  When I see her, my heart begins racing; she is stunning.  She is wearing a simple navy-blue dress, and her hair is up in a bun, with a few tendrils falling out, framing her face.  She smiles up at me bashfully.  “You look beautiful, Katie.”

            “Thanks. I wasn’t sure where we were going, I hope this is okay.” She looks down at her dress, and back up at me, one eyebrow raised, questioning.  I nod at her, suddenly unable to speak.  I place my hand on her lower back and lead her over to my vehicle and open the passenger door for her.  I decide to take her to the restaurant Wayne is currently the head chef at, especially since this will likely be the last chance I will have to dine there before he moves to his new location.  I have never been, mainly because it is too expensive and not really the type of place I would want to dine at alone.  I watch as Katie’s face lights up as we pull up to the valet.  “I have always wondered what it was like to dine here.”  We head into the restaurant and head straight to the gentleman at the podium.

            “Would you please let Wayne know that Avery Maulden is here.”  The gentlemen nods and heads into the kitchen.  Withing minutes, Wayne comes out of the kitchen, his face is lit up, walking quickly toward me.  His arms are outstretched, and we quickly embrace, patting each other on the back.

            “And who do I have the honor of meeting?” Wayne questions with a lifted brow, while looking at Kate.

            “Wayne, this is Katie Stiles.”  I look over at Katie, “Katie, this is my friend, Wayne Taylor, he is the head chef of this fine establishment.”

            “It is a pleasure to meet you!” Katie excitedly grabs Wayne’s hand and shakes it a bit more vigorously than I am sure she meant too, judging by the sudden pink color appearing on her cheeks as she quickly pulls her hand away.

            “Well, it is certainly an honor to meet a female friend of Avery’s.  I have a special table in the chef’s room that is reserved for my special guests, and this certainly is special.”  Wayne motions for us to follow him.  The room is small, but elegant.  It is obviously intended for special occasions.  Wayne catches the attention of the waiter, who quickly takes up all the place settings except for two, right next to each other, and lights the candles.  He pulls out the first chair for Katie, who thanks him as she takes her seat.  I take a seat in the chair next to her and the waiter disappears.  “Now, I plan to make one of my signature dishes for you, so Katie, I hope you are ready for your mouth to experience the most orgasmic dinner of your life!”  Wayne is certainly in his element and is clearly curious about the young lady that accompanies me tonight.  He smiles at me as he leaves the room, heading toward the kitchen with a definite spring in his step.  The waiter returns with champagne and stemmed glasses, tilting the bottle toward me so I can see the label.  Of course, I am out of my element and have no clue if the bottle is any good, but I nod my head, and he pops the cork and slowly pours the bubbly liquid into our glasses.  He sets the bottle in a bucket of crushed ice in the corner and leaves the room.  I look over at Katie who appears to be in awe.  Our eyes meet, and for a moment we just sit and stare into each other’s eyes.  

            “So, you are friends with the chef?” Katie asks, her eyes wide with excitement.

            “Yea, Wayne and I grew up together, we have been friends for as long as I can remember.”  

            “Sounds like Hayley and I.”  

            “It does.”  I know the importance of having a lifelong friend and am thankful of the fact that Katie also has such a friend, especially after everything that has happened to her.  Her eyes meet mine again, sparkling in the light.  That same intense shade of bright blue that had first drawn my attention, I could certainly get lost in those eyes.  The light in the room brings out the natural highlights in her hair, she is beautiful.  I swallow loudly, suddenly nervous, and trying to recall some of the conversation topics I had thought of earlier to prevent the awkward silence we are experiencing.

            “So, how did the two of you meet?”  Wayne interrupts my thoughts as he returns with the first course of our meal.  It is a small salad, elegantly arranged on the plates, with the dressing brought out in an etched glass container with a long neck.  

            “Actually, I met Katie my first day at work.”  I am avoiding eye contact with Wayne, I look over at Katie, motioning toward the dressing container, “Wayne makes all his own dressing, you should try some.”

            Katie nods, then turns to Wayne, “Yes, I am the victim of a crime and Avery is the investigating officer.”  She smiles at Wayne, who looks over at me, with a concerned look on his face.  

            “So, he is sort of your knight in shining armor?”  Wayne asked sarcastically.

            “I guess you could say that.”  Katie giggles.  “I had never really thought of it that way.”  She then takes a bite of her salad, and closes her eyes, quietly moaning.  “This is wonderful Wayne.”  He is watching her, a huge smile spreading across his face.

            “Thank you, Katie.”  Wayne then turns his attention to me, that same look of concern on his face.  Then he leaves heading to the kitchen again.  I watch Katie as she slowly enjoys her salad.  She looks over at me and catches me watching her.  She smiles, then bashfully looks away.  

            “This really is wonderful, Avery, thank you so much for bringing me here.”  She is focused on her salad again.  This seems like a dream, being here with Katie, and I am hoping no one will pinch me.  We make small talk until Wayne comes in carrying a large tray with two plates.  Each containing prime rib prepared with his special blend of herbs; steamed potatoes with a parsley butter sauce; baby carrots in a sweet glaze; and steamed asparagus.  Wayne serves this himself, waiting for each of us to give our approval.  I nod, while Katie doesn’t stop moaning and telling Wayne how wonderful each item is.  I can tell Wayne is enjoying the compliments.  I imagine that Katie is a far cry from the businessmen and richer clientele who usually dine here.  She is truly a breath of fresh air.  Wayne sits with us a while, telling Katie about our childhood adventures, which has her genuinely laughing.  I love her laugh.  I love how she laughs with her mouth open and covers it with her hand.  I love how her eyes squint and fill with tears.  I love the sound of her laughter, but more importantly, I love that she is still able to laugh.  Wayne dismisses himself to prepare the final course, the dessert.  Katie leans back in her chair, taking a deep breath.

            “Ate too much, didn’t you?” I tease and begin to chuckle.  “You should have paced yourself.”

            “I know, but it is all so wonderful, I couldn’t stop.”  She begins to giggle herself.  Wayne returns with a dessert for two.  It is chocolate and vanilla pudding layers, separated by a crunchy nut crisp, his signature torte.  It has a light fudge and caramel drizzle.  We each take a spoonful, and we both moan this time, causing us to smile at one another.  Wayne of course, is beaming.  Once we have finished our dessert, Wayne walks us to the entrance of the restaurant.  He turns to Katie, who jumps up and wraps her arms around his neck, thanking him for such a wonderful meal and experience.  He smiles as he turns to me, putting his hand on my shoulder, and nodding as he walks away. 

            I drive Katie home, opening her door for her and walking her to the door.  “Thank you so much for a wonderful evening; I had a really good time.”  Katie says with a bit of a quiver in her voice.  I am mesmerized by her.  I place my hand on her shoulder and run my fingers down her arm until I reach her waist.  I look into her eyes and pull her toward me slowly.  With my other hand, I trace her bottom lip with my thumb, and lower my mouth to hers.  She raises her arms up and around my neck.  Is she trembling, or is that me?  As I lift my head away from her, I look deep into her eyes, then pull her into an embrace. I hold her for several minutes, thank her for accompanying me to dinner, and turn to leave.  As I get into my vehicle, I look up and she is smiling, touching her lips.  Then she disappears behind her door.