Getting his way

Chapter 11

"Oh. Well. Good for you." she said, the last words she spoke to him during this meal, instead focusing on her oysters. Chris had barely touched his lamb when the table was cleared once again. As she looked after the man, leaving with their plates, she looked back at him. "I'm not mad, Chris. I'm just worried about you." He slowly nodded, his head bowed like a school boy getting cussed out.

"I know, babe. I just.. I dunno. It's three days to, at most, a week, and then I get the rest of the quarter off." Kate thought about it for a second. That was still another two months. Hesitantly, she nodded. "Okay, I can see why you'd go along to those terms."

He finally looked up at her. "It doesn't have to be that bad, y'know. I could get someone else in. Y'know, a professional bed-warmer." he teased, and she rolled her eyes. "No, thanks." She paused, before continuing. "Well, I mean... Maybe you could get Claire in?" Chris raised an eyebrow, before opening his eyes in recognition. "Ah, you mean her and Ash? That could work." he said as he nodded.

Kate smiled as she looked down. "It just feels weird to be all alone when I come home. And honestly, after bitter experience, I really don't want to be alone that much when in a big city like this. You saw what happened just this afternoon." Chris nodded, before frowning and shaking his head. "No. What happened?"

She sighed and laughed. "Those guys. The ones that tried to break in." He made a dismissive gesture. "Those were actual milkbags with flesh. You could've taken care of them yourself, trust me." After Kate sent him a quick glare, he quickly changed his tone. "But I get where you're coming from. I'll see if I can't get someone here, to babysit you." Kate wrinkled her nose, before smiling and looking down as the next course was served. And then they ate in relative silence, only commenting on the meals or the décor as course after course rolled in in an orderly fashion.

About 9 o'clock they'd finally finished off all their food (and in Kate's case, another half bottle of wine). "I'll just go to the toilet real quick." Kate said as she rose from her chair, slurring slightly on her words, but still stable on her feet. Chris nodded. "I'll just take care of the bill while you're gone, then." Kate smiled, back at him, before looking front again, quickly swerving out of her path so as to not collide with a large palm plant.

Chris chuckled ever so slightly as he watched her leave, before turning his attention to getting the waiters' attention. A member of staff was with him shortly, and he paid his dues, including leaving a sizeable tip, even for the upscale restaurants´ standards.

Casually nipping at his water, he couldn't help but eavesdrop on different conversations. Nothing really piqued his interest; old, married couples speaking in hushed voices, the occasional older man trying to impress a young woman, that sort of stuff. He smiled slightly, thinking back to his younger days and the sort of establishments he'd frequented. Now there was some juicy gossip and real information. As Kate came back into view, he rose out of his chair to meet her.

"You look just like the first time we met." he said, without a hint of sarcasm as she blushed and laughed, maybe a bit louder than what would be considered socially acceptable. It earned them a few nasty glances, but Kate was just buzzed enough to not notice, and Chris had never cared.

As Chris gave the valet number to the head waiter, who wished them a continuing pleasant evening, Kate stumbled a bit. Chris grabbed on to her tighter, nuzzling her hair with his other hand. "Looks like someone can't handle their liquor." he teased, as he helped her stabilize while she rose up again. "Sounds like someone don't want to get laid tonight." she teased back, though a bit harsher.

"Well, not necessarily with you." he said as he focused on getting her down the stairs in one piece, then into the car. After he'd walked over to the drivers´ side, he looked over at her, finding her with wet eyes. "That was a joke, right?" she whispered softly, and he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Of course it was, honey. You're all there is to me. Now, put on your seatbelt." She nodded and begrudgingly did so, but was still quiet on the way home. When he looked over at her for the second time, she had quiet tears running down her face. He sighed, and grabbed at one of her hands - but she was too fast for him, moving them out of reach. "That was mean, Chris." she whispered, her voice threatening to crack.

Chris sighed and pulled over, looking at her. "Sorry, sweetheart. I was just joking." Kate still looked down at her hands, putting them back in her lap. "It wasn't funny. Jokes are supposed to be funny." She had one audible sob as she moved her right hand up to catch some tears. When she opened them again, he'd silently leaned over, prepared to dry her tears with a stark-white handkerchief. "I’m sorry. I love you, and I’d never cheat on you.” He paused, looking at her, searching for any kind of recognition. She slowly nodded. “I know. I love you too. You can drive again.” Chris nodded and pulled out into the lane again. “Let's go home, get to bed, hmm?" Kate slowly nodded, then humbly, in a small voice, asked: "Can we get pizza?" He smiled and leaned back, knowing full well that she wasn't always satisfied with small portions, even if they were fancy. "Of course, babe."