Sox, stars and Jamie Stringer

[brad_chase]

from hereJudge Harding's canceled golf game was the monkey wrench in my date with Jamie and the universe. By noon, the Boston skies opened up, dumping three inches by the time his clerk called and said the judges calendar opened up and he could take our arbitration case if I could get my client to his court within the hour

Comments

[jamie_stringer]

there he is. The knock on my door causes my spirits to brighten considerably. Not that I had been pacing the floor or anything . . . I figured the rain had most likely snarled traffic.

"Hi!" I smile, opening the door with a slight bounce. "Oh no. Your tie is wet!" I wonder if he is intentionally giving me his best puppy dog eyes. He looks wet and cold. "Would you like to come in for a minute and dry off?"

[brad_chase]

"I, uh - " *I look back over my shoulder, vaguely pointing toward her street* "I'm, you know, double-parked." And with that logic laid out, I stepped in. Similarly disregarding traffic laws, she closed the door behind me.

There's an energy in Jamie's presence. That's not to say she isn't calm. It's a positive force and, coupled with our chemistry and being in her now-familiar living room, I simply followed her suggestion, unknotting the tie. "Sorry. I was held up in an arbitration. Believe me, I was kinda hoping for that courtroom bomber to show up so I could get outta there." Stuffing my tie in my overcoat pocket, I just looked at her, admiring the view. "Did you get off early?" One second later, my smile stiffened, praying she took that statement at face value.

[jamie_stringer]

It feels so normal to have him in my living room. It's suddenly as if we've known each other for years, yet there is still the apprehensive thrill which accompanies meeting someone new. He looks so distinguished in his coat, despite its having just been soaked.

His comment causes my mind to wander in a slightly nefarious direction, and I notice his almost imperceptible wince after saying it, and I want to set him at ease. I raise an eyebrow and smirk. "Did you? Just kidding. I actually did leave early. For some reason" innocent smile "I was really tired this morning." Before he can protest I take his coat, remove the crumpled soggy tie, and hang them both by the radiator. "I'm sorry to hear about your arbitration. I know how that goes. Do we have time for coffee before we go?" I motion toward the already percolating and steaming pot in the kitchen.

[brad_chase]

It wasn't until she turned back from the radiator that I was able to stop reliving the answer to Did you?.

"Coffee. Yes. Coffee. Certainly." I remained where I was. She hesitated, then turned to her kitchen. That got me going and I followed. I don't think the umbrella was the only thing I left back at the firm. Not that I felt a particular need to be in control. Watching her pour, then retrieve creamer from her fridge, it occurred to me why I liked being in her presence. It was the closest I'd come to uninhibited in many months.

"Thank you." I took the offered mug and looked around. "How about a tour?"