Colin took another swig of his beer and sat back in his chair, his brow still severely creased from the events that had just played out moments before. This night was definitely not going as smoothly as he had hoped, that was for sure. He looked across the table at Abby, who sat quietly watching him. "Probably plotting her escape," he thought to himself, as he lit up a cigarette and took a puff.

"Well, that was fuckin’ awkward," Colin said finally, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.

"Wanna talk about it?" Abby asked softly, placing a hand on his.

"Umm...not really, but I guess I should apologize. This wasn’t exactly my ideal first date...my ex showing up with her new husband...I mean, what tha fuck was that about?"

"No apology necessary," Abby replied with a smile. "It’s not your fault they showed up here when they did. Under the circumstances, I think you managed to hold it together pretty well and looked a hell of a lot classier than those two did. I mean, wow, is that guy arrogant or what?"

Colin chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, well, you held your own against them pretty well, yourself, Ms. Campbell. Gotta say, I’m quite impressed, too. And, you’re a hell of a lot smarter than Kate is, that’s for sure shit. You saw right through that slimy bastard’s act."

"Well," Abby said, smiling, as she leaned in closer to him, "it’s a good thing for me that Kate wasn’t smart enough, I’d say... otherwise, we never would have gotten together like this."

Colin smiled at her. "True that," he replied, stubbing out his ciggie. "So, you wanna call it a night?"

"Umm... on one condition."

Colin cocked an eyebrow. "What’s that?" he chuckled.

"That you’ll agree to make it up to me by escorting me to the Wade Wedding this weekend."

"You asking me out on another date, then, Ms. Campbell?" Colin grinned.

"That I am, Mr. O’Brien...if you think you’re up for it, that is."

Abby was certainly turning out to be full of surprises. Colin liked that about her – she was different. Smart, pretty, even funny at times. And, again, for what ever reason, she really seemed to enjoy being with him. He felt a huge relief come over him, knowing that she hadn’t been chased away by the untimely arrival of Sid and Kate.

He cocked his head to the side, a smile on his face. "Oh, I think I’m definitely up for another round. Pick ya up here, say a half hour before?"

"It’s a date, then," she answered, then reached out and shook his hand.

Colin was completely taken off guard by her gesture, chuckled a bit as he shook her hand back, then pulled her forward and planted a kiss full on her lips. "It’s a date."

TBC....