Abi knew the "first date" suggestion was kind of a futile desperate effort to get Xavier to just back off and prompt him to talk to her. But she knew that like everything else it was doomed to failure. She felt desperate and discouraged. "We are moving towards the end..." she said to herself as she grabbed a dress from the closet and went into her bathroom and locked the door. She felt like crying, but tried hard not too. Slowly she shed the blouse and skirt she had been wearing since Friday and primped at the mirror. She let her hair down, applied a little make-up, put on some pantyhose and finally the dress. The blue dress was one she had bought a while ago but it seemed to fit ok, it was perhaps a little tight in places. She considered going without at least a bra, but decided it would be too distracting for Xavier. The dress was low cut and the hemline was mid-thigh, which was a little higher than had become her custom. With her shoulder length light brown hair she looked beautiful, she had to admit. Finally she put on a pair of heels - she hardly ever wore them anymore, and she actually didn't find them comfortable at all, but she decided that the dress required them at least at first.<br/><br/>She stepped out of her bathroom and slowly headed down the stairs - slowly so as not to trip. Xavier was standing at the bottom of the stairs. He looked handsome and it caused her heart to beat a little faster when she saw him standing there. She loved him. No matter how angry he made her, how incredibly disappointed and hurt she felt, she had to admit she still loved him. "If he could just show some interest in me as a person..." she said to herself. At the bottom of the steps she stood to allow him to look her over. He stood quietly taking in the sight for a moment and then he offered her a little gift bag, "I have a confession to make..."<br/><br/>She took the bag, "I know. Robin texted me that you had driven them to Wichita. I know you were spying on me. But, I forgive you and I appreciate that you restrained yourself enough to not make contact. I'm sure that wasn't easy, but it felt like a little respect." She slowly opened the bag and pulled out the book. "Oh wow..." She paged through the book. "You know this is one of the first translations of the works of Sappho. The translator did a beautiful job with his choice of language, but his actual translation are problematic in places. Still I do like to refer to this work from time to time and usually have to get it out of the library. Now I have my own copy. Thanks sweetie. It doesn't matter to me that Robin helped you pick it out. I don't expect you to know all that stuff, but that you sought a little advice was nice. It was thoughtful." She kissed him gently on the cheek. "Did you page through it and read any of it? One of the issues with this translator is that he was befuddled by the same-sex desire expressed."<br/><br/>She looked through the book a little and then she set the book down on a cabinet. She turned back to him and took his hand. "So, please make an effort Xavier, please - for me. You have invited me over for a nice little intimate supper. We have not been on a real date before. You would be friendly and welcoming and I suspect - I hope - you would be interested in getting to know me. That is the point here, I want you to try to get to know me. And me you... please, try..." She almost sounded desperate despite her trying not to. So let's go outside and just take a little walk and then you can lead me into the living room. And let's talk but not about kids, or our problems... just about life." She smiled and squeezed his hand, "please."