"Joey, answer the phone." I say, sleepily. My phone is ringing before my alarm has gone off, who is calling me so early. "Hello?" I say, sitting up and rubbing sleep out of my eyes. "Yes, Reign, something has come up on the case you set me on." The voice on the other end says, "Oow Courtney. Yes tell me." I say, realizing who it was.
She explains for more than thirty minutes, I'm just listening and nodding my head. She lays out all the details, even others I wasn't expecting she would be able to find. She is good, I will give it to her.
"Yes, that's impressive. I'll call you so that we can visit the site. Hopefully we will find something." I say, when she is finally done talking. "Yes, sure." She replies before hanging up.
I drag myself out of bed, an hour before my usual time and head to the bath. I soak myself in a warm bath and lose myself in thought.
I haven't seen Hazel since the party. I miss her especially her goofiness. I forgot to ask for her number and so I can't even call her.
I've been so caught up in Tim's case that planning something special before asking her out completely slipped my mind.
I slip out of the the tub, get dressed and head down.
"Morning mom." I say kissing her on the cheek."Morning hun." She replies without looking away from the omelette she's preparing. I grab a pear, I just love my fruits, from the fruit basket and start heading out.
"Ree, aren't you going to have breakfast before leaving?" She asks, worry showing in her features. "I'll eat when I return mom." I reply, taking a bite out of my pear. "Plus, I'm already eating." I say with a smirk. "You've been leaving too early and coming back late. What's going on with you?" She asks, the wrinkles on her face deepening.
The look breaks my heart and so I step back up to her and hug her from behind. "Im sorry mom, but I will tell you about it when I return. I love you." I say, trying to ease her worry. I step away from her, knowing full well that if I keep at it then I'll end up staying. "I gotta go. I promise to tell you about in the evening."
I grab my keys and head out. I've been AWOL this week and my mom's worry is justified. Working on Tim's case has taken more time than I thought it would. The investigation is paying off though, so I will have to keep at it until the harvest.
Today is all about Ocean, so I scrap off thoughts about the case and focus on my lady. I'm blushing at that thought, my lady. I'm driving straight to Sky mall, because I don't want it to be a one man's job.
My fingures are crossed the whole way up. The other times I came in, Ocean wasn't at work so I'm hoping that she isn't today either. She shouldn't be for everything to work.
"Two?" Susan calls in question. "Yuh, hie." I confirm smiling. I'm almost glad she doesn't know my real name when she starts," You almost got my gf beat up by that blonde b*tch of yours." She sneers, anger starting to surface. 'Lynn!!.' I scream in my head but I don't say it out loud.
She goes on to tell me about the whole ordeal, the whole time I'm wondering why Ocean never told me about it. It also enlightens me about why she was so mad in the parking lot but not as much at the diner. "Ok. Thank you, I will see what I can do about it." I reply.
"Umm." I say, scratching the back of my head, falling short of words to introduce the reason why I'm here. "Yes?" She says, directing her full attention at me. "Well, I like your friend." I manage to blurt out, kicking imaginary rocks on the floor. It's my go to activity when I'm nervous. "omG." She shrieks, "I knew it." "So, I wanted to ask her out but I don't know how to go about it." I continue, more confident this time, knowing she approves of it.
"Oow darling." She coos dramatically, "Don't worry, you have come to the right person. Come on around and sit." She says, dragging a chair across the room.
"She isn't a very complicated person," She starts as soon as I'm settled on the little chair. "She isn't very materialistic either. By the time you get out of here you won't have a thing to worry about." She brags, assuredly.
We draft a list of how I will go about everything. The whole time she addresses her as Haz, so I was on guard the whole time trying not to slip. "Thanks. I owe you big." I say, getting up when we're finally done. My legs are cramped from sitting on such a low chair but I don't even complain. She was right. I have nothing to worry about now.
I fold the paper into my pocket and start out. "Make sure that blonde b*tch keeps her paws off my friend." She calls after me. 'Protective friend huh, nice.' I smile and continue on my way. She does have a point, I'll need to deal with Lynn, but after this.
I make a reservation at the Royals Restaurant. It's a long drive out of the city but it's gonna be worth it. Next on the list, I send her a text.
Get dressed and meet me outside your place at 1700hrs.
Two
I finally got her number. I heard back home to get changed. It's all I do, and grab a hotdog on my way to Ocean's place. My conscience was screaming at me to eat for my mother's sake. There's still five hours before 1700hrs, so I find myself a quiet corner in the park. I perch myself on a bench under a cherry blossom and practice my voice for the big surprise.
I leave the park some 45 minutes early, incase there will be traffic congestion on my way downtown. I get there a little early and so I just sit back and wait for her. I hit play on the paused song on my player and jam to the song while waiting. I lift my head to check the time when she catches my attention from across the street.
I know I can count on her heeding my invitations but I was still nervous since today's invitation was just out of the blue.
She is just standing there, smoothering down a leather dress which rides over her knees molding onto her curves.
I've never really paid attention to her body much since her eyes always kept me in place but this is woow. She is wearing her hair into a high ponytail, with the tail left to ride on the wind.
When she finally straightens, she holds the link chain on her purse in a tight grip, looking around. I'm in a car she doesn't know today so she might miss me. I step out of the car and head towards her.
I'm halfway across the street when she finally spots me. Our eyes meet and we keep it that way until I reach her and pull her in for a hug. She smells nice – apples–, another thing I hadn't noticed before. I wonder if there is anything else I haven't noticed about her. When I release her from the hug she says, "Where are you taking me Ree, and why did you suddenly call me out like this." She feigns sternness,but I pick the smile creeping just below the surface. "C'mon, be patient." I say, holding her hand and pulling her towards the car.
"You look nice." I finally compliment her, when we are speeding down main Street out of the city. "All your drama, didn't give me a chance to say it earlier." I tease smirking. I earn myself a full humoured laugh.
We finally arrive at the Royals after two hours of driving. "OmG, couple goals, so cute." Some blondes shriek, casting adoring side glances at us, when they walk past us.
I look at Ocean and back at myself, I hadn't realized it. It really is cute. We are both wearing black leather and white sneakers. Best part is we didn't even plan it. I look at her, and catch her blushing, she must have realized it as well.
"Woow." Ocean gasps, as soon as she takes her seat, her eyes glassy like a kid's. I had especially reserved this table for her. It gives a full view of the city from this mountain top restaurant. "You like it?" I ask, with a knowing smile. Susan had told me about how she's crazy for stunning views. "I love it. Thank you." She says, drawing her eyes off the city to mine and giving me a warm smile.
The night is cool, the breeze carries the scent from the vegetation around us and the view is stunning.
The stars are in my favor.