Chapter Thirty-One.

After waking from a lazy Saturday afternoon kip, Laura walked down the stairs just as Toni was hanging up the phone. Since Toni never answered the door or used the phone, Laura's brow creased. "Who called?"

"No one. I was calling for a taxi."

"A taxi? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's for tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yes. I'm taking you out to dinner," Toni said matter-of-factly.

"You're taking me out to dinner?"

"Are you going to repeat everything I say?"

"Until things start making sense, yes, I am," Laura said, tilting her head. "Toni, what's going on?"

"I just told you. I'm taking you out to dinner, so I called to arrange a taxi so neither of us had to drive. That's all."

"That's all? That's all?" Laura muttered. "Who are you and what have you done with Toni?"

Mimicking the smile that now appeared on Laura's face, Toni said, "I'm still here, Laura, and I'm still nervous and scared and all those other things, but I want to do this. Okay?"

"Of course, it's okay. It's great!"

"Good."

"So, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise, but I can tell you that it's rather posh, so you'll need to dress accordingly."

Glancing at her watch, Laura said, "Wait. When will the taxi be here?"

"Well, the reservation is for seven-"

"Seven!"

"Is that a problem?"

"But it's already four o'clock."

"Nice to know you can tell time, Laura, but I don't see-"

"That only gives me a few hours to get ready. I have no idea what to wear, and of course, I need a shower-" Laura's mouth snapped shut when she realized Toni was laughing at her, but instead of getting angry, Laura's heart melted. Narrowing her eyes, she asked, "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

"I just knew that if I told you about it earlier, you would have pestered me for details-"

"I do not pester."

"You most certainly do, and in case you haven't noticed, you're wasting valuable primping time," Toni said, pointing to the clock on the mantle.

Laugh lines appeared at the corners of Laura's eyes as she gazed back at Toni. "Give me one reason why I should run around like an idiot for you?"

Toni invaded Laura's personal space, and after placing a light kiss on her cheek, she said in a breathy whisper, "I hope to give you many."

With more than enough time to get ready, Toni took a leisurely shower and then puttered about the house in her robe for another hour before returning to her room to get dressed. With winter rapidly approaching, she pushed aside several blouses in her wardrobe and removed a gray cashmere, cowl-neck sweater. Pulling it over her head, Toni smiled at its softness as she adjusted the drape of the neck. Retrieving her leather trousers from the closet, she pulled them on and finished her ensemble with ankle-high black boots.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror over the dresser, Toni's shoulders drooped. She was in desperate need of a haircut, but Krista's schedule hadn't allowed her to visit to do the deed. Thinking for a moment, Toni went into the bathroom and opened the cabinet. Pulling out a small bag, she emptied the contents on the counter and shrugged. Why not?

A short time later, Toni shut off her bedroom light, and glancing at the clock on the mantle as she came into the lounge, she went to the kitchen, opened a bottle of wine and filled two glasses. Taking a sip, Toni decided to grab a quick cigarette, and slipping on her coat, she stepped outside.

After a long shower, followed by an hour's worth of wardrobe selection, a petite Scottish woman stood in her bedroom wearing nothing but her underwear, her nylons and a worried look on her face. It was one thing to visit the cafe for coffee, or shop early in the morning before the crowds became too much, but tonight Toni was stepping outside her safety zone, way outside, and Laura was worried. Putting on her robe, she went downstairs, walking into the kitchen just as Toni was coming in from her smoke.

"You're not ready?" Toni said.

Laura knew her mouth was open, and she was fairly certain her eyes were a wee bit larger than normal, but Toni looked amazing. Her hair was shining with gel, the locks finger-combed and tousled until they were perfect, and like she had done in Scotland, her eyes were now emphasized by black eyeliner and her cheeks, with blush. She had finished the look with a blend of charcoal and gray eye shadow, and the result was both smoky and sensual.

Raising an eyebrow at Laura's bold and somewhat lascivious leer, Toni said, "Something wrong?"

"You look incredible," Laura said in a breath.

"Thanks. You look underdressed."

"Oh, I was thinking that maybe...maybe this might be too much for you."

"What do you mean?"

"Going out tonight. I know this is really hard for you, and if you're doing this for me-"

"I'm not. I'm doing it for me, and for us."

"Yeah?"

"Laura, this day, this date...it's the anniversary of when I entered Thornbridge, and I've always had a rough time with it, so I thought what better way to get rid of a bad memory than to replace it with a good one," Toni said, taking a step in Laura's direction. "Now, I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I'm not nervous, because I am. Christ, it took me half-dozen tries before I finally found the nerve to call the taxi company, but I did. I managed, and as long as you're there tonight, I think I'll be okay, and if I'm not, I know you'll take care of me."

"You know I will."

"Then please do me the honor of being my date tonight. It would really mean a lot to me."

Running over, Laura placed a kiss on Toni's cheek, and as she skipped out of the room and up the stairs, she called out, "I'll be down in five minutes. Promise!"

Four minutes and fifty-eight seconds later, Laura walked down the stairs wearing the red blouse Toni had bought her in Scotland, and the black skirt with the well-placed slit. Noticing that her legs had become Toni's focal point, Laura grinned. "I'm up here."

Raising her eyes, Toni shrugged and let out a laugh. "Sorry, but I really do love that skirt."

"Good to know," Laura said, all the while struggling to keep her eyes on Toni's face. Hidden by her jacket earlier, Toni's cashmere sweater was now in full view. It hugged her torso like a second skin, and the low drape of the cowl-neck piqued more than just Laura's interest. Prying her eyes away, Laura cleared her throat. "Um...new top?"

"Yeah. I got it when I went out with Krista," Toni said. "I poured some wine. I thought we'd have a drink before we leave."

"Do we have time?"

Without answering, Toni motioned for Laura to follow her and when they got into the kitchen, she handed Laura a glass. "I have a small confession to make."

"Yeah?" Laura said, raising the glass to her lips. "What kind of confession?"

"Well, knowing that you always seem to run a bit late, I told you that our reservation was for seven instead of half seven."

Eyeing Toni as she took a slow sip of wine, Laura smiled. "I'll get you for that."

Pleased with Laura's reaction to her ruse, Toni leaned against the counter and drank her wine, all the while staring at the most beautiful woman in the world.

Knocked slightly off-kilter by Toni's overt gawk, Laura asked, "Can...can I ask where we're going?"

Toni's anxieties began to appear almost at the same time as their taxi, but putting on a brave face, she donned her leather coat. Assisting Laura with hers, they walked silently to the waiting car. The sounds of the street and the traffic filled the cab's silence, and as Laura looked out the window at the lights whizzing by Toni took her hand and held on tight. No words were spoken or glances given, just a silent understanding that if Toni needed Laura's help, it would be there.

Having never actually eaten at The Reading Room, unless you could call a half-eaten salad a meal, Laura was thrilled when she realized she was returning to the restaurant for a second time. Getting out of the taxi, they looked up at the remodeled three-story warehouse and then slowly climbed the stairs that would take them inside.

Their coats were taken by the awaiting staff, but when Laura was about to approach the maitre d' Toni touched her on the sleeve and shook her head. Drawing in as much air as her lungs could hold, Toni walked over, and in a quiet and shaky voice, spoke to the tall Indian man. Seconds later, they were led to a corner table on the mezzanine.

One floor above the largest dining area, the mezzanine was small and intimate, and far enough away from the bustle below that conversation could be whispered and still be heard. Keeping with the flavor of a book repository, the wall running the length of the upper floor was lined with bookcases that went from floor to ceiling, and each held on its shelves, volumes of literature in all shapes and sizes, covered in leather in a variety of colors.

Inhaling deeply the aroma of ink-filled pages, Toni could feel herself relax as they were seated at a linen-covered table awash in elegance. Smiling at Laura as the waiter placed menus in front of them, when he handed Toni the wine list, she didn't need to look at Laura to know that the woman was holding her breath.

After searching the Internet for two nights for all that she could find about the exclusive restaurant, like a child readying themselves for a speech in school, Toni had practiced what for most would have come easily. Quickly perusing the list of wines and champagne, she pointed to one. "I think this will do nicely."

Impressed by her choice, the waiter tucked the wine list under his arm, filled their water goblets and then went in search of the sommelier.

"You're doing great."

"Thanks, but that's just a bottle of wine. I'm not too sure about the rest of the meal."

"No worries, sweetheart. I'm here."

Opening the leather-bound menu, Toni asked, "So, what looks good to you?"

Raising her eyes, when she saw Laura's playful expression, the last ounce of Toni's fears disappeared. Sitting in an upscale restaurant surrounded by strangers no longer seemed threatening, and while her palms were indeed sweaty and her heart beat a bit too fast...neither could be blamed on The Reading Room.

Although Toni had found the courage to call for a taxi, order their drinks and then chat with the sommelier over the very expensive Pinot Noir she had chosen, Laura wasn't the only one surprised when the waiter returned to the table, and Toni found her voice again. Glancing in Laura's direction for only an instant, Toni took it upon herself to order their meal, perfectly pronouncing every dish, and when the young man finally walked away from the table, Toni picked up her wine and took a much-needed sip.

"I hope you don't mind," she said quietly as she steadied the shaking glass with her other hand.

"Give me a reason why I should?"

"Some might."

"They would be fools," Laura said. Noticing the wine rippling in Toni's glass, she asked, "You doing okay?"

"Yeah, just being me," Toni said with a snort as she carefully placed the glass on the table.

"You're doing great."

"Tell me that again in a few hours. Okay?"

"You got it."

They spent their time marveling at the architecture and atmosphere of the restaurant until the waiter returned to the table with two bowls of lobster bisque. Pouring a spot of brandy in each, he set them aflame, and a few minutes later, Laura and Toni were dipping their spoons into the creamy soup. For the main course, Toni had ordered tasting plates, one containing portions of pigeon, lamb and red deer, and the other, halibut, stir-fried crab claws and wild African prawns, and for the next hour or so, they delighted in the feast.

After dinner, they cleansed their palettes with a bit of lime-mint sorbet, and even though Laura let out a groan, emphasizing it by placing her hand on her filled belly, Toni insisted on ordering a tasting plate of desserts to complete their meal.

"So, did it work?" Laura asked, taking a sip of coffee.

"Did what work?"

"Are the cobwebs gone?"

It took a moment to understand the question, and then realizing that the memories of Thornbridge hadn't intruded upon their evening, Toni smiled. "Yeah, I guess they are."

"Good," Laura said, taking a small bite of one of the desserts. "Can I ask you something?"

"I still haven't figured out a way to stop you, so go ahead," Toni said, dipping her spoon into the chocolate mousse.

"I was just wondering...when you ordered dinner you did it so fluently."

"Silver spoon, remember?"

"How silver is silver?"

"Sterling."

After taking a sip of coffee, Laura's spoon found its way to the mousse. "What was it like?"