Kerry arrived at Kim’s almost fifteen minutes early and sat in her car waiting. This was going to be their first real date. Yes, they had had dinner at Kerry’s the weekend before, and spent much of Saturday together, but having a two year old in the next room or chasing after him in the park kept most of the romance at bay.

They had spoken a couple of times during the week, but their schedules hadn’t lined up often enough for them to have a conversation of any appreciable length. Kim was settling back in and Kerry was dealing with the ongoing tension between Sam and Luka. She was happy that Abby had shared the news of her pregnancy with her, but Kerry thought she may have preferred the ignorant bliss that might have come from her not knowing the reason for the resident, her ER chief, and nurse to be so on edge.

She was lost in her thoughts when someone started tapping on her passenger-side window. Kim was leaning over smiling in at her. Kerry took the cue and got out.

“Sorry, I was a little early, so I thought I should wait.”

Kim took Kerry’s hand and led her up the steps to her building.

“I could see you from the window. I thought something might be wrong.”

“Just work stuff.”

Kim eyed her carefully, blindly reaching for a hanger to put Kerry’s coat on.

“Anything you want to talk about?” she asked as she caught Kerry staring across the room at the dining / living room.

Lit candles sat in the middle of the dinner table with a bottle of wine breathing nearby. Silverware and fine crystal were placed at two settings without plates. Candlelight flickered throughout the room and the soft sound of Diana Krall filled the apartment.

Kerry sighed and turned to face Kim.

“I’d forgotten how incredibly romantic you can be.”

“You inspire me,” the blond responded, moving past Kerry to pour her a glass of wine. “Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll finish making dinner.”

“Can I help?”

“No, remember the rule about dates helping in the kitchen?”