“I’m visiting friends,” Kim said before she could stop herself.

“Christy and Kate?” Kerry wished she could at least take her tone back, if not the words.

Kim tried to ignore the bitterness in Kerry’s voice. “I saw Kate last night, but Christy is out of town. We actually haven’t been all that close since the incident.” Kim lowered her voice a little and winked at Kerry, received a genuine smile in return.

The rest of the dinner was spent catching up on their careers, Henry’s milestones, Kerry’s meeting with her mother, and updating Kim about the comings and goings of the staff at County General. Kim finally noticed the time.

“Wow, Kerry I don’t think I’ve closed a restaurant since that Thanksgiving we went to dinner,” Kim said as the bill arrived.

“Let me,” Kerry said reaching for her credit card.

“No, you paid last time,” Kim answered tucking money in with the bill and smiling at Kerry.

Kerry hesitated for a moment then picked up on the mimicking of that Thanksgiving conversation. She decided to carry it on. “You know, why don’t we just split it.”

“I got it,” Kim said laughing a little. “I believe I then said something about that being a date, which completely flabbergasted you.”

“You’re right,” Kerry noticed the own drop in her voice and wondered whether she meant to be flirting with Kim. “We should go. I’m sure my sitter wants to get home.”

They gathered their coats and left the restaurant. Outside Kim grabbed Kerry’s arm, stopping her.

“Kerry, I’m sorry,” she started and Kerry looked at her confused. “I lied earlier when I said that I was in Chicago to see friends. I’ve been offered a job at Rush. I didn’t want to say anything until I … until you and I had really talked. Kerry … I couldn’t come back here, and live here, with just the memory of how we ended.

“Oh.” Kerry was so surprised that she didn’t know what to say.

“Oh?”

“Sorry. Kim, it would be wonderful if you came back to Chicago.”

“I’d like us to try again at the friendship thing.”

Kerry smiled. “I’d like that too.”

“Good. I have a meeting with them tomorrow. I’ll come by and see you after?”

“I have meetings all afternoon, but if you can make it about noon for lunch we can partake in the delicacies of the cafeteria,” Kerry said smiling.

“Sure,” and with that Kim leaned in and kissed Kerry on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”