Then the boisterous voice of Maurice could be heard, they immediately sat back in the positions they had been in before she had touched him.

“I thought a place like this would be busier, why aren’t there any more patrons?” Rachel asked, trying to being some normalcy, she heard voice tremble lightly. She twirled the last of her pasta onto her fork; it had all tasted so good. She dreaded having to go back to dorm food after such a fine meal.    

Jim cleared his throat, and he finally took a sip of his wine. “His steady crowd comes in later in the evening.” He paused to eat his final meatball. “We’re here to early for that crowd.” He took another drink of his wine.

“I knew you two would enjoy the wine.” Maurice let out a hearty laugh, as he made his way over to them. “It looks as if you two need some of my infamous tiramisu.” The man clapped, “Sammy, bring out a bowl of the tiramisu for Jim and his lady friend, Rachel.” Maurice grabbed their plates. 
               Rachel had to admit to herself, that she rather enjoyed being called a lady friend, as much as she knew that she really shouldn’t. She noticed that the young man who had scurried around before came out carrying the bowl.

“I’m not sure, if we have the time.” Jim looked down at his watch.

“I insist.” Maurice said, then before Jim could say any more Sammy, laid the bowl of the tiramisu between the two of them, there were already two spoons lying nestled in the delicious looking desert. Sammy as well as Maurice’s only trace was the swinging of the double doors behind them.

Jim sighed and Rachel smiled. “I suppose it would be quite a waste to not enjoy it, if it’s anything like the dinner it must be remarkable.”
                “It is. I suppose you’re right.” He paused, “I just wouldn’t want you to get into trouble, with Finch.”

“Leave Finch to me,” She pointed to herself. “I’ll tell him we got talking about the case. He’ll understand.” Taking in a breath, she grabbed the spoon closest to her and made sure she had a fair amount on it and enjoyed it. The joy she was feeling being there, sitting beside this incredibly distinguished looking man, whose touch she had felt mere minutes ago blossom into a higher peak with the deliciousness of the desert.

The next few minutes while they ate the desert was wonderful, little bursts of joy went through her when the two would share a smile when the two would class spoons or portions of the tiramisu. Until finally there was one piece that remained. She looked up at him expectantly.

“Be my guest, James. You introduced me to this wonderful place.” She smiled at him.
                “Rachel, you have it.” He smiled wider. “You are the one who is going to have to go back to office work.”

She shook her head. “No I want you to have it.”

A determined expression fell over Jim’s face. With his spoon, he collected what as left of the desert and then carefully, placed the spoon on her side of the bowl. He raised an eyebrow, “Now I insist.” He drank the rest of wine in his glass; a content sigh came from him.

“Well, I suppose if you insist,” She smiled; looking him she grabbed the spoon and enjoyed the rest of it. Then it was her turn to sigh contently, and she finished what was left of her wine. “That was so wonderful.” She looked at him under her eyelashes, she so wanted to give him a kiss, a kiss on the cheek at the very least, to thank him. But she resisted the urge firmly; it formed a tiny knot in her stomach.

“I’m glad you thought so, “Jim practically whispered looking at her.

“Jim, I better not keep you two any longer.” Maurice appeared as if out of nowhere, speaking loudly. “Here’s your check.” Sammy will be out shortly to handle the bill.

“Maurice, you outdid yourself tonight.” He gave Rachel a look; she returned the look and looked at Maurice. “He’s right all of this was wonderful.”

Jim shuffled out of booth, Rachel couldn’t believe her reaction but she already missed feeling the warmth of him sitting beside her. Without any further delay, she got out of the booth and slipped into her coat. Looking out the window, she noticed that it had started to rain again, in earnest. Then her attention turned to Jim, he was pulling out his wallet. She immediately opened her purse and fished out a twenty.

She walked the few steps over to him. “Here you go,” Leaning in close, she handed it to him.

“Oh, no you don’t have to do that.” He just brushed her hand away.
                “I suppose if you insist.”

They both walked over to where Sammy stood. Gordon paid for the rest of their bill.

“Have a good evening,” wished Sammy after he gave Jim his change. He just nodded.

“Should we make a run for it?” She asked him when they reached the door. The rain was falling in tiny rivers down the windowpanes.

            Relief washed over her to find the bathroom empty; she placed her purse on the rim on of the pedestal sinks. The joy she was feeling made her feel flushed, the coolness of the bathroom felt good. She looked at herself in the mirror she was glowing. How was this possible, how could I be falling for him so fast, Rachel asked herself. Usually, I’m more careful, methodical Harley once even said. Her last sure thing had been Bruce. Why couldn’t she be more like Harley, able to have fun and not think about it twice.
          She had to be honest with herself; sure, it had all started a few months ago. She had come in to give her statement about last seeing Bruce. She had found him handsome, but it had been a passing thought. Jitters had been racking her over what could have possibly happened to Bruce, yet what added to her anxiousness was his gentle manner, those eyes, and his voice made her nuts. With the one or two exceptions, she had not been able to look him in the eye. It was easy at the time to feel that it was the stress of the situation. But yesterday, it came back, stronger than before. She felt like a schoolgirl, her knees felt wobbly with the thought that he was out there waiting her. Oh, dear I had better get back out there.
           That’s it, she thought I’m going to have fun; I’m going to enjoy this and see what happens. What could possibly happen anyway? Nothing. This is just harmless flirting. Might as well enjoy it, she mused, looking into the mirror she gave her sly smile. I wonder what he ordered for me. She took a deep breath, taking her lip gloss out of her purse she applied a layer, I better look like I did come in here to freshen up, taking a final breath she went back out there.  
          She looked at him sitting at the table while she made her way over to him. He looked a bit nervous she soon shook that idea out of her mind. Why would he be nervous? I’m the one with a schoolgirl crush. He looked over and smiled widely as she approached, it almost made her stop cold in her tracks. Soon she scooted into the booth; in her nervousness, she brushed up against him again.

            “Sorry, James.” She heard herself; she couldn’t believe her own voice. It didn’t portray an ounce of anxious flutters in her stomach.

            “Quite, alright.”
            She noticed that there was some bread placed on the table, as she leaned to grab a roll, her sleeve brushed his arm. It was warm to the touch; she grabbed a pad of butter while she was at it.
            “I ordered something, that shouldn’t take too long. Since I know you,” He paused, was that a hint of disappointment tingeing his eyes. Nah, it can’t be, she thought to herself before he continued. “and I have to get back to work. But it’s a classic on their menu.”

“I trust your judgment,” After buttering the roll, she took a bite. It was delightful. The bread was soft and the crust was had just the right amount of crispiness. “Mmmm.”

“So, I take it even the bread is better than what you have been eating?” He asked hopefully, his eyebrows high in anticipation.

After she swallowed another bite. “You better believe it. How about you? What would you be stuck eating right now?”

“Good. Oh, well if I have appetite maybe pretzels from the vending machine, if I wanted to go all out, a hotdog from the stand by the prescient.” He took a bite of his own roll.
                “That is horrible. At least when I’m not stuck ordering in at the office, I can eat at the dining hall.”

“And that’s better?” He raised one eyebrow.

She couldn’t help laughing. “Well, I suppose it would be the equivalent of the hot dog stand.”

She was still laughing when she saw Maurice bringing out two steaming white plates. A slender, young man followed close on his heals. Maurice placed them in front of them. They were pilled high with spaghetti and meatballs. Behind him, the young man finally came forward he had two glasses of wine, which he placed beside their plates. Then, he placed a bowl of freshly grated cheese between them.

“Maurice, giving us wine…” Jim wagged a finger at the man.

 “It’s for taste.” Maurice said with a wide toothy grin, Rachel realized that the younger man was had already gone back into the kitchen.” You can’t have pasta without a glass of full bodied Chianti.” He winked at her. “Well, enjoy.”

Jim only shook his head. “That Maurice, he’s incorrigible.”

She couldn’t help but giggle as she did so she saw a beautifully warm smile spread across Jim’s face. “He seems to fit in this place.”

 “You’re right. I couldn’t imagine this place without him.”
                 The two of them ate in silence; Rachel would steal looks over at him. It was nice being there with him. Then after a moment, without even thinking she grabbed her wine and took a sip, realizing how good it tasted she drank more of it.

“Whatever information you gave Finch certainly made him happy.” She commented.

“Oh?” Jim replied.

“Yeah, I haven’t been able to go out and eat in awhile.” She paused and smiled at him. “I’m just glad he didn’t want to join me.”

“Well, I’m glad I could get you out of that office.” He gave her one of his charming half smiles, which made the butterflies in her stomach speed up.

“It’s wonderful to have dinner with you, James.” She patted his leg under the table; her fingertips tingled when she pulled her hand away. She could not believe that she just did that.

Nervously, she looked from side to side, not looking in Jim’s direction, worried that she had been foolish. Then looking down she stared into her plate and ate quietly, she took another swig of her glass of wine. Hoping it would calm her nerves.

“Rachel,” She heard Jim say her cautiously; she had never heard that tone in his voice before. Slowly, she tore her gaze away from her pasta before finally being able to my eye contact with him, she biting her bottom lip. “I’m very happy to be eating with you tonight.” Then she felt a tentative touch on her shoulder,” She couldn’t help but close her eyes, and gently lean into it. Then slowly she opened her eyes, and looked into his deep blue ones, for a moment the two just stayed like that, she could feel, see him leaning in closer to her, she felt as he exhaled.