Home of Robert Goren

Wednesday, May28

Alex knew the door was open, but she knocked anyway. She heard Bobby call, "Come on in!"

She'd been wondering what to expect this evening – they'd only discussed it briefly at work. If Bobby was nervous or stilted she was prepared to tease him until he loosened up. If, on the other hand, Bobby was overly romantic, she was prepared to use teasing in a different way, to bring him back to a sensible middle ground. After all, this was only a first date – or at least their first in a long time. She wanted to enjoy the process.

He came out of the kitchen area. "Hi," he said. "I'm kind of messy..." His fingers were coated with something – bread crumbs, maybe? He held his arms clear of her as he leaned down to greet her with a kiss- first on the lips and then on her cheek.

He returned to the kitchen.

Alex smiled to herself as she followed him. Bobby hadn't swung to either of her imagined extremes. She was pleased, but a little disappointed - she didn't get to tease him.

"It smells good in here," she said.

The mess turned out to be corn muffin batter, which he was trying to force into little cupcake papers, lined up on a cookie sheet.

"Need some help?" Alex asked. She went to the sink and began washing her hands.

He looked over his shoulder at her. "Yeah, thanks. I didn't finish the salad, if you don't mind. It's all there on the counter."

She dried her hands, but before she did anything else she checked the contents of the pots on the stove top. "Broccoli, rice – wow, Bobby, you were serious about cooking healthy." She opened the oven an inch. "Ahh, that really smells good! Is it my mom's recipe?"

"Mostly." He smiled as he scraped the last bits of batter. "I thought about making a cake, but I figured you wouldn't..."

"You figured right – no dessert," she replied, and moved aside for him to slide the tray of corn muffins into the oven. "You know, if we're going to keep this up you have to let me bring something."

Bobby shook his head as he stepped around her to wash his hands. Alex had anticipated an offer to let her contribute to future meals, but his silence was significant. She studied him. His attempted nonchalance gave him away: he had some plot in the works.

Alex didn't press. She'd find out one way or another. As long as he didn't try to fatten her up, she'd let him carry out his little scheme.

As she'd foreseen, they ended up talking about work during the meal. They'd attended the sentencing of Jim Ackerman that day. Ron Winter and John Lasalle had been there as well. No charges were brought against Ron. He and Frannie were going to share the business now. Alex and Bobby had sent their condolences and best wishes to Mrs. Winter and Frannie. Alex hadn't asked about Mark, and neither had her partner.

"Everything was delicious," Alex said after dinner. "Can I at least wash the dishes?" She rose from the table, and then she remembered something. "Oh, wait a sec. Stay right where you are." She laid her hand on Bobby's shoulder to keep him from getting up.

"What?" Bobby looked curious, but he obeyed.

She caught his cheeks in her hands and gently kissed his forehead, which now only showed faded traces of his cut and bruises.

"I've wanted to do that all week," she said, rubbing her fingers over the scab. "I know people joked about me clocking you with a baseball bat, but I felt sorry for your poor head."

Bobby's warm hands once again came to rest on her waist – this was a habit Alex could happily get used to. He drew her closer, and she dropped her hands to his shoulders.

"I've wanted to do this for a long time, too," he replied.

He touched his lips to hers. This kiss was a proper one – not just a quick greeting. Alex stayed close as the kiss extended.

When they finally drew apart, Alex smoothed Bobby's hair. "I like this kind of dessert," she said. She grinned at him. "Is that a Yes about me washing the dishes?"

He stole another kiss. "I'll wash, you dry."

The dishes were nearly done when Alex repeated her offer to contribute to their weekly dinners. "Hey Bobby," she said, lifting a large pot off the drain board, "How about if you come to my house next Wednesday? Maybe we can trade weeks."

Bobby shook his head.

"Why not? I'm not a bad cook, you know."

"You're a good cook, Alex..."

"But you don't want me to cook for you?" Alex set the dry pot on the counter, and reached for the next pan. She was a little annoyed at Bobby – she knew there was more to his refusal, and she wanted him to quit tiptoeing around it. "Come on, just tell me! Why don't you want me to cook for you?"

"I do, but..." Bobby scratched his neck. "But not on Wednesdays."

"What?" Water from the pan trickled down her wrists and arms into her pushed-back shirt sleeves as she stared at him, contemplating what he'd said.

Bobby smiled hesitantly. "You, um, you can pick your own day."

"Oh!" Her irritation vanished, and she smiled at him. "Why were you so coy about it?" she asked, flicking water off her fingers at him.

"Because I'm inviting myself to dinner at your place every week! I wasn't sure if you'd want to."

She only needed a second to decide. "I do. Okay, I want Sundays, because it'll be easier to shop on the weekends." She finished drying the pan and stepped right up to him. She was pleased when he reached out to hold her.

"Okay?" he asked. "Just like that?" His fingers feathered through her hair.

"Nooo." Alex had a suggestion of her own. "I expect you to take me out once in a while, too."

"I'd like that." He pulled her a little closer. "To a restaurant?"

"Or a movie."

"Maybe a concert in the park? Museum?"

"Sure. Hey, I'll even go up the Empire State Building if the weather's good." Alex was feeling mellow and relaxed as she returned Bobby's embrace.

"Good," Bobby said. His chin came to rest on top of her head. "Do you want tea or anything?"

"Mmm, no thanks," she murmured, rubbing his shirt. "I should go soon."

His arms tightened around her, which brought a smile to Alex. He asked, "So you're good with this? Wednesdays and Sundays?"

"Definitely," she said. "It's more fun to cook for someone than just for myself. Maybe I'll make a spaghetti sauce."

"Sounds good."

"I bet you already have next Wednesday's menu planned," Alex said.

"Ahh, sort of. I want to reintroduce you to curry."

She leaned back to look Bobby in the eye. "Reintroduce? Are you kidding me? Curry and I have irreconcilable differences."

"Eames, I promise, you're going to like it."

Alex had to smile. She didn't particularly want to try curry, but she couldn't bring herself to forbid Bobby. "It's my own fault for mentioning it in the first place," she said. "I should have expected this from my partner with the steel-trap memory."

He leaned down to kiss her. "You'll like it."

How did a full-grown man manage to look like a hopeful little boy? She shook her head slowly. "I probably will," she said. "But if not, you're going to owe me."

"Like what?" he said with a huge grin. "Coffee every morning?"

"Yes, for a week, plus a bottle of Pepto."

Bobby laid a hand over his heart. "I have a confession: I gave you curry tonight."

Alex laughed. "You what! Goren, I should smack you! Where was it?" She gripped his arms.

"In the chicken; I added it to the onion soup and wine. You loved it."

Alex had noticed a change from her mother's cooking, but had thought it was due to a different brand of soup. "I did – lucky for you."

"So, do I owe you coffee?"

"Nah, in fact I'll buy tomorrow." She stretched up to kiss him.

He reluctantly released her. "We have to wait four days-" He was interrupted by Alex's phone.

She pulled it out of her purse and checked the display. "It's Mom." Her heart sped up as she answered. "Hi, what's up?"

Bobby watched with concern as she spoke with her mother. Alex mostly listened, and kept her expression neutral. She tried not to give Bobby much of a clue as to the conversation.

"Hang on a sec," she said to her mother, and held the phone against her chest to speak to Bobby. "Ummm..."

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

"That depends," she replied. "How important are our dates?"

He tilted his head questioningly.

Alex continued, "We're invited for dinner next Wednesday. Looks like your curry fetish has been postponed." She grinned. "Mom comes first."

Bobby gazed at her thoughtfully, and then moved smoothly and quickly. He leaned down to kiss Alex's cheek, and simultaneously snatched the phone from her hand.

"Hi, it's Bobby," he said. "...It's all healed up now... Thanks, that'd be great. Wednesday is fine." He smiled at Alex, holding her at arm's length. "Do you think I could help you with the cooking?"

Alex shook her head – she knew her mother wouldn't give up control of her kitchen again.

"Oh, um, you see," Bobby said, still looking at Alex as he talked to her mom, "I have this eggplant recipe with curry I'd like to make for Alex."

He dodged out of the way as Alex lunged for the phone.

THE END

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