The things that had caused him to be the way he was…they loomed in the back of Tarin’s mind. It wasn’t really anything compared to the stories that Lee told, the things that she had seen and done.

Still, Tarin wondered if all of those small, dark places had broken something inside of him that just couldn’t be fixed.

Lee said she understood though, and that was enough. When Lee grabbed his hand, Tarin didn’t pull his away even though he kind of wanted to.

She smiled and he gave a little smile back to assure her that everything she had said had landed. He didn’t ask the question lingering in the back of his mind though.

What if I’m never ready?

As if on cue, Tarin’s watch buzzed, the 15 minute alert he had set before every appointment notifying him that he’d completely lost track of time.

”Ugh… he said, giving Lee’s hand another squeeze, ”Fifteen minute warning.”

When Lee grabbed Tarin's hand, she thought she noticed something that she knew well from the other side. But he didn't flinch at her touch, he didn't pull away. And in fact he gave her hand a little squeeze in return.

Maybe she had imagined it, Lee couldn't help but think.

Then Tarin spoke and Lee couldn't help the little disappointed frown that had appeared on her face. ”I guess that means we should get the rest of lunch cleaned up, doesn't it?” Lee asked. Then, still looking up into his eyes, Lee stretched up to to gone Tarin a quick kiss.

”I guess that means we should get the rest of lunch cleaned up, doesn't it?”

Tarin didn’t want to do that. Tarin really didn’t want to do anything. All he’d really done was listen and he felt drained. Work was really autopilot at this point though, and if he remembered correctly he was just meeting with some regulars this afternoon. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

Still…even if there was no crystal ball or mood lighting, takeout on the table was probably the wrong vibe for a place of business.

Lee stretched up for a kiss and Tarin obliged, more things he’d rather do than work for the rest of the afternoon popping into his head. He kept it brief though and reluctantly stepped away, moving to the table to start closing up boxes.

”Any plans for tonight?” he asked, ”There’s always baseball on this time of year…”

Lee could tell that Tarin was reluctant for their impromptu lunch to be over. She was too, if she was being honest. But if he had a client that would be there in less than 15 minutes, they really did need to clean up. So after the kiss, which Lee had really wished had also been longer, Lee followed Tarin to the table to help him clean up.

"Did you want to keep any of this here?" Lee asked, looking across the table as she closed up a container. "Or should I just take it all home?"

Then Tarin was asking if she had any plans that night, and Lee started smiling, but then rolled her eyes. "I was going to say no, I don't," Lee said, her voice playful and teasing. "But if that's the offer, I may have to find something to do tonight."

Tarin shrugged when Lee asked if she should leave the food there or take it home, ”I’d eat it for lunch the next few days if you don’t want it…” he said, scooping up the boxes and already taking them towards the kitchenette. They hadn’t talked about the food much, but it had been good.

Then Lee was once again dashing dreams of baseball and Tarin actually groaned, ”I’m not going to get to watch a single Mets game this season, am I?” he said, just a touch dramatically, ”I know they’re bad, but come on.”

He was only halfway joking. If Lee really didn’t want to watch, he’d just check the scores on his phone and watch the highlights tomorrow. But still…how could she dislike baseball this much?

Would Lee like the food? Well, yes, but if Tarin would end up eating it for lunch, that was good too. There was a lot more food at the apartment than left here in the shop, after all. So she grabbed her plate and any of the food that was left on the table and followed Tarin into the back.

”I’m not going to get to watch a single Mets game this season, am I? I know they’re bad, but come on.”

Lee couldn’t help it, she laughed. “Well, you might,” she conceded, her voice still light and playful. “If there’s absolutely nothing else on or to do that day.”