25 Like a date?

After we got Lance some clothes from his place and we went through a drive through for some food, I was starting to feel depressed again. In an attempt to stay moving and focus on what I needed to do, I suggested we go pick up my check from work. Lance agreed, mentioning stopping in to say hello to his mother.

Once in the hospital, he pauses me by the elevators. "Hey, meet me up at my moms room when you're ready, k."

I smiled and nodded, about to turn and leave, when he stops me with a quick kiss on the forehead. I blushed crimson, before mumbling something incoherent that I didn't even think was actual human language. His deep, soft chuckle at my flustered state, leaves me sticking my tongue out at him quickly, before walking off.

What the hell was the Lirael?! You stick your tongue out at him?

I walk into our offices and I hear the girls cry out in surprise. "Lirael!"

"Hey honey. How are you doing?"

I'm enveloped in arms and it's hard to tell who's touching me where. Until I feel a hand grab my ass.

That's Kim.

I give her a look and she smugly smiles, knowing I won't say anything about it.

"Thanks guys, I appreciate your support. I'm just here to pick up my check and leave though." I inform them before they can start asking questions about Carson.

Mr. Henderson comes walking out of his office, my envelope in hand. "Here you are, Lirael. I trust you're in good hands still?"

I nod, avoiding his eyes and fighting the blush that wants to creep into my features. Clearing my throat, I stick out my hand for my check, "Yes, thank you. Mr. Henderson. I appreciate the time off to mourn my friend, but I will be back on Monday."

He nods, "Alright we will see you on Monday." He smiles and looks at the ladies, "Ladies, we still have some claims to file and approvals to get before five."

The girls quickly hug me one more time and get back to work.

"Bye, Mr. Henderson." I wave and go to leave, but he lets out a heavy sigh.

"Ladies. Please, call me Jim. It's been what now? Five or six years, I think in this office Jim will do." He gives us all a sweeping gaze.

We all give him a solemn nod and in unison say, "Alright, Jim."

We all break out in a chuckle before I wave and head out to the elevator. I'm walking down the hall to Beth's room, where Lance will be and I can hear them talking. Being curious, I slow down to absorb some of what they're saying.

".. her, Lance." I can hear Beth say. Lance chuckles and responds, "I like her too, Mom. Why else would I have stayed with her all night?"

My jaw drops, He told his mother that?!

"You better not have taken advantage of her in her emotional state. Jim told me she lost her friend last night." Beth scolds him.

"Mom! I was there as emotional support, nothing happened! Besides, even if something had, it's not like we're teenagers anymore." Lance defends himself, and I have to stifle my chuckle with a hand.

"Well, Beth, your tests and vitals look to be within reasonable levels right now. IF you think you're ready, we can start the treatments when I come back in two days. I want to make sure your results stay stable these next few days before we start the new chemotherapy treatments." I recognize Dr. Patel's voice and I frown.

Lance and his mom are talking about me, I was supposed to have coffee with him today and now I'm going to show up in the same room...

Wait?! Why do I even care? It was just coffee.

I scold myself mentally and start to walk into the room when I hear Beth comment. "I really hope these work, I'd love to see my son get married one day..."

"Mother..." I hear Lance grumble.

"Well, we will have to wait and see. They've had good results with other pancreatic patients, so we can expect to see good results with you too. I'll leave you to visit with your son now. Good evening." Dr. Patel says, making me step into the room next door to avoid him.

Thankfully the person in this room is asleep, as I wait and listen for Dr. Patel to walk by. I glance around the corner of the door, and don't see him.

He must have gone the other way.

With that thought, I walk out and enter Beth's room with a soft smile on my face.

"Good afternoon, Beth." I smile at her and give Lance a nod.

"Oh Lirael! Jim told me you lost a friend last night. I'm sorry to hear about that dear. I'm glad my boy was able to be there for you last night." Beth smiles warmly with a hint of pride at the two of us.

"Yes, I'm grateful he was there too, I really needed a friend last night." I smile shyly, sideways at Lance who beams at me.

"So what are your plans for tonight?" Beth inquires, breaking the silence of the moment.

"Oh.. well.." I start realizing my only plan was to tease her son and punish him if he could not control himself.

I will not divulge that bit of information.

Lance jumps in to the rescue though. "Nothing too exciting mom, I planned on taking her to the Aquarium of the Tropics exhibit that they recently brought into town and then maybe grab a bite to eat before taking her back home."

I spare him a glance, surprised at his plans that I didn't know about.

His mother gives us a knowing smile and chortles, "Oh.. you mean like a date?"

Heat envelopes me, making me lose all conscious thought processing. Thankfully, my jaw didn't drop as I glanced at Lance to gauge his reaction.

His eyes twinkle as he turns to me, playfulness etches his brow and grin as he leans back in the chair. "If Lirael wants it to be called that?"

He's asking me?

"Um..."

Suddenly, before I can say anything, Dr. Patel walks in.

"One more thing Beth... Oh Lirael! I thought you were at home because of your friend."

"I.. was. I came to pick up my check and wanted to say hello to Beth. I'll be back on Monday for work though. So I'll see you then." I say quickly and nod to Beth, " I forgot to grab something from my desk, I'll see you soon Beth." I wave and hurry to walk away to the elevator.

"Hey Lirael!" Dr. Patel calls out to me, the rapid taps of his shoes telling me he's jogging to catch up.

"Yes?" I stop, turning to face him.

"I couldn't help but overhear part of that conversation back there. I didn't ask before, so I am going to ask now. Are you available to have coffee so we can get to know one another?" He inquires solemnly.

I let out a deflated sigh, "I'll be honest, I'm not in a relationship with anyone. I'm also not looking to start one anytime soon, but I don't mind if you'd still like to get to know me." I give him a half hearted smile, before continuing. "If you want we can still have coffee on Monday, talk some more then?"

He gives a thoughtful, small smile that pulls the corner of his lips down lightly. "Alright, I think I can do that. I'll see you on Monday then."

We nod to each other and I head back downstairs, covering my face as the doors closed, embarrassed that he had heard what Lance had asked if I would consider tonight a date.

He must have done that for his mothers sake. I still can't believe he put me on the spot like that! I'm going to make him pay for that later...

The door opens and I head back to the office and enter, heading to my desk.

"Hey ladies, I forgot to grab something when I was here a bit ago."

I answer the ladies questioning looks, which get nods as they return to their work. Fridays are always busy, trying to get caught up on processing claims or getting approval before the weekend piles more onto our plates.

I grab my small bag that I keep a few extra sets of panty hose and grab a pair along with my bracelet that broke a few weeks ago. I smile and wave bye, and go to the bathroom and quickly put on the panty hose.

There. That should help mess with him.

I walk outside to wait by Lances car. My phone goes off and it's a text from Lance saying he's on his way down, so I let him know where I am.

Once inside the car, it's silent between us. All the way to the bank to deposit my check, dead silence. When I come walking out of the bank, I take a look at Lance and I can tell, something is bothering him.

For fucks sake. I hope that shit earlier doesn't end up ruining what was supposed to be a fun, distracting night.