“Of course. I wouldn’t have wanted to get you into trouble. I imagine that wouldn’t have gone over too well with the FBI.”
“Um, yeah. I probably would have lost my job. I most certainly would have been kicked off the SWAT team. You know, it turns out we’re supposed to stop the crimes, not commit them.”
“Really? Who’d have guessed?”
They spent the next two hours talking and laughing and Sloane couldn’t remember a time he’d been happier. After Sloane finished her third glass of wine, she put the empty glass on the table.
“Another?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not unless you want to carry me home.”
He grinned. “I could do that.”
“I’m sure you could, but I think I’d prefer to walk while I still can.”
“You ready to go then?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
Sloane got to his feet and reached a hand down to help Ray up. He’d had the best evening and wasn’t ready for his time with her to come to an end. However, they hadn’t stopped talking and if her responses to him were any indication, he wouldn’t have to wait for very long before he saw her again.
Outside the bar, he offered her his arm, and not only did she take it, but she leaned against him as they strolled along the sidewalk. All too soon, they were standing outside the entrance to her building.
Sloane turned to her, ready to lean in for a kiss goodbye when Ray peered up at him, an almost shy expression on her face.
“Do you want to come up for coffee?” she asked tentatively.
“Yeah,” Sloane replied, relieved more than he let show on his face that he didn’t have to say goodbye to her just yet. “I’d like that.”
He’d like that very much, indeed.
