The Love Cube

Chapter 11: Blue & Grey

Every day that went by served to increase the tension and restlessness that Heather had been feeling. With a spotlight cast on her, moving around had become harder and everywhere she turned everyone wanted an update on where she currently was with the case and in turn, wished her well, when she would give her rehearsed response of "all was well."

All wasn't well. She was stuck.

Derrick's offer to help her looked enticing even more, but she would have rather lost all together than owe him anything.

Her secretary, Grace, over the last few days had taken to smiling at her phone, this time her giggles being what pulled at Heather's concentration.

She had been hunched over the files that the Detective had brought her for the last four hours, sitting on the edge of her seat so anxious that she wasn't sure how she was going to pull through her case. She kept switching between being anxious and calm

and decided a small gossiping session would serve as a break.

"I don't think it's work making you smile like that? " she asked Grace, who flushed, embarrassed at having been caught.

"Sorry. I got carried away," Grace replied while quickly placing her phone by her side and trying to look busy.

"You know, you can at least share. One of us has to be lucky in the romance department, " Heather continued, sighing while thinking about how lonely she had been feeling of late.

" Only if you tell me about you and that detective," Grace replied while wiggling her eyebrows, which in turn made Heather groan.

There was something and nothing between them, but his visit to her office and the evening that had followed it, made everything gray.

They had not seen each other since her last office visit to his office and him showing up to her office announced with top-secret case files felt like a confession to something. They had spent the afternoon looking at the files on the surface level till he offered to take her out once again. Not opposed to a free meal, she obliged, driving to the destination closely detective behind her.

This time the restaurant was a bit high end compared to the diner they had had their first meal.

Kingsley had been waiting for her at the door when she arrived and they both got a table at the very back.

" I am impressed by your dedication to feeding me, '' Heather commented, breaking the silence between them as they waited for their meals.

" Maybe I am a ritualist and fattening you up for a sacrifice, '' he replied, laughing, causing her to smile.

" If I knew this was the life, I would make friends with more of you, '' she replied.

Their conversations were always light hearted and comfortable for her.

" Jokes aside. Having dinner with wonderful company is much better than going back to my apartment. I don't like being alone these days. I know that sounds strange but after being used to the company of someone for so many years, I have a hard time adjusting,'' Kingsley replied.

He did not elaborate more on what he had said but she knew there was a story there. Like everyone else, he had his secrets.

'' I live alone too. It gets really lonely at times. I agree, '' she replied, thinking about her cold, dark apartment.

" You can always call me if you need someone to talk to or share a meal with. We can be lonely together, '' he replied with a grin and she smiled.

That had been one of the most meaningful conversations she had had with a man that had not been about work.

" There is nothing between us. It's just work, '' she muttered, finally responding to Grace. That heart to heart they had did not feel like a conversation that would happen between coworkers.