May I Have This Dance?

Chapter Eight-Tag

Once in the car, they were quiet for several minutes. Sarah fidgeted anxiously before getting up the nerve to say the words. "Matt, I had lunch with my dad today."

Yeah, I know. Matt didn't say it out loud, he just looked at Sarah and waited.

"I should have talked with you first, but I told my father I was seeing someone new. I didn't say who, but I just couldn't keep it a secret from him."

"What did he say?"

"He wants us to meet with Mom and him this weekend."

Matt was quiet, searching for words.

"Please don't be angry with me…" Sarah glanced over at Matt, who was staring straight ahead, an intense look in his eyes. His face often held that expression when he seemed to be thinking about something. She couldn't read his body language, so she was nervous.

"Oh, Sarah, I'm not angry. Your dad talked with me today. He had already guessed we were dating before this." He looked at her. "I guess you'd call it dating…" Matt wasn't sure if they were ready to define their relationship. "To be honest, I was scared he'd be angry, but he wasn't. Maybe a little irritated. He's worried about people at work gossiping about me seeing someone, then finding out I'm spending time with you."

It was Sarah's turn to be quiet. They had arrived at his apartment. "I don't want to cause you problems at work, Matt."

"Sarah, this is important. Will you come in for a few minutes so we can work it out?"

Sarah hesitated a moment. Watching her, Matt chuckled softly. "I promise, I'm too sore to try anything."

Sarah blushed lightly. "I trust you. Let me just park the car."

Matt was moving stiffly. He was grateful to have Sarah help him with the door to the building. He let them into the apartment and flipped on the lights. Sarah studied the room, glad for a chance to see the place Matt called home.

A bronze star hung from the wall above the leather couch, and a framed Texas flag hung above the weight machine in one corner. A few curios scattered around the room gave it a western feel.

"It's so neat and tidy. And I like your Texas theme."

"Being in the Corps and the Army has its merits when it comes to housekeeping, I guess. I like the reminders of home. Have a seat." Matt pointed to an overstuffed chair.

Before she sat down, Sarah noticed a plate of muffins, neatly wrapped in plastic, on the high counter by the kitchen. Her eyebrows went up. "You bake, too?"

"What? Oh, the muffins?" Matt chuckled. "My mom taught me to cook, but I'm not much of a baker. Those are from one of the ladies at church. I get a lot of goodies." Matt patted his stomach playfully and smiled. "Keeps me running on a regular basis."

"Do you go to a gym?"

"I did for a while, but I'd rather run outside. It's easier for me to just do my lifting at home."

"Mom and Dad got me into running when I was in middle school. It was hard to keep it up at NYU, but I've been running regularly since I was back in D.C." Sarah stopped herself, remembering coming back from a run to find Matt in her apartment because he thought she was a suspect in the Birol case. She blushed.

Matt guessed why she was blushing and cleared his throat. "You like to run the neighborhood, too. Maybe we could go together sometime?"

"That would be nice! But, with your back, we might need to wait." She glanced awkwardly at her lap and back up at him. "Do you have something to take for your pain, Matt? I still feel badly. We shouldn't have gone tonight. You should have stayed home and rested."

Matt eased himself onto the edge of the couch. "Sarah, that's what I wanted to talk about. I may be a bit stiff right now, but I have no regrets about going tonight. If you ever need another sub, I'd like to go again. Thank you for inviting me."

Sarah smiled and blushed again. "Tori's brother was talking about quitting. I'd need a partner—you could sign up as a regular student."

"I think I might take you up on that." Matt watched her. She's so sweet when she blushes like that. This is your chance, Granger. Say it!

"I'd like to have other chances to get to know you better, too, Sarah. If you're willing, I'd like to talk with your parents. I want their blessing."

Sarah lowered her eyes briefly and then looked up at Matt. "That would mean a lot to me, Matt. Are you sure you won't mind talking to my dad?" She hesitated. "I know he intimidates the new agents…"

"You're worth it." He watched her for a moment. "It's not too soon, though? You just broke off a long relationship."

Touched by the concern on his face, Sarah spoke quickly, but her voice was soft. "I was telling the truth when I said that things had not been good for a long time. We had not spent much time together over the last semester or two." She glanced down, hoping Matt would not be put off, thinking she was an insincere person. "I realized I did not love him—not the way he wanted to be loved, anyway."

From his expression, Sarah sensed he was encouraged by her words.

"As long as you don't feel pressured. We can go slow."

Sarah felt a thrill go through her. This is too good to be true. Make sure. "Oh, Matt. Then, there are the gossips at the Agency…"

"You're worth it. I really mean it, Sarah. I want to get to know you better. It would be nice to take you to dinner, maybe spend a day at the park sometime… I'd like to think we've become good friends over the last month."

"We have." Sarah saw Matt was watching her earnestly. Looking into his eyes, she knew he was serious. "I'll see if they're free Saturday night?"

Matt grinned at her. "Sounds perfect." His grin turned to a grimace as he got up. "I hate to end our perfect evening, but I should walk you to your car. I hope your parents will be home when you get there." He offered his hand to help her up.

"You sound like one of my brothers or my dad. I'll be okay. Remember, I know kung fu."

Matt laughed and grabbed his keys. Sarah looked at the muffins again. "So, what is your church like?"

Matt answered her as they walked out of his apartment. "Well, it's not where I expected to be. I've always gone to churches with a lot of people my age. There aren't as many at this one."

"What made you stay?"

"Well, people sort of adopted me. I found out I enjoyed helping them at their houses occasionally, and it wasn't so bad having older ladies baking for me."

Sarah laughed. It was that light and musical sound again. "It sounds like you are all enjoying the experience."

He nodded in response. "Do you ever go to church?"

"Once in awhile. Mom and Dad wanted to take me more often, but it's hard with their jobs. Sometimes they even miss the Christmas Eve service. Mom says it's their curse." She laughed again.

"Maybe you could come with me sometime. I think the ladies would like you."

They were standing by Sarah's car. "I'd love that. Just let me know when."

"Maybe this Sunday? I'd need to pick you up at 9:15. It's in Fairfax."

"Sounds perfect. I'd better let you get back inside and rest. Good night!"

"Good night. Thanks again, Sarah." Matt held the door for Sarah as she climbed in the car, then closed it after her. He moved to the sidewalk and watched her drive away. As she took one last look at him in her rearview mirror, she thought she saw him grinning to himself as he went back to his apartment.

Sarah found herself grinning, too.

[End of Part One]