“It only counts as entrapment if I had known you were the one that was going to come fix it. Or, make it worse.” She couldn’t help but beam at the joke, even if in the end, Peter had indeed followed through with his job. While banter had always been present in their dialogue with one another, she appreciated that it now took on a more playful nature. Not quite as competitive as in the past; or at least, not hostile competitiveness. It was still surreal to consider that they were spending time together outside of work, and voluntarily– though she was far from complaining. The scent of Peter’s cologne wafted under her nose at his closeness as they entered arm in arm, stirring butterflies.
A feigned gasp parted Cece’s lips as she pretended to be offended at his so-called line. “And here I thought I was unique in having such contrasting passions. I should have known though; after all, you are Peter Charming Donnelly. I guess it’s a good thing that I haven’t fallen for your whims like all of the others.” That was complete and utter bullshit, but Cecelia just grinned again smoothly. She had to remember that even if they were kind of friends now, they were also good at playing games when it came to one another. She wasn’t sure how much stock to put into their outings yet.
Happy that Peter liked the idea of starting with a fresh exhibit, Cece reached for one of the guidebooks at the entrance to keep for the tour. “Perfect!” Her expression softened as she let his remark sink in; she could tell that Peter wholeheartedly meant that he wanted to her have a good time. Funnily, she already was. So long as their iciness didn’t slip back while there. “Thank you. I want you to as well though,” she admitted, a gentleness in her response. “And I really don’t mind being a tour guide. It gives me a chance to show off.” With a little wink, she began dragging him toward the new exhibit. Cecelia stopped at the first painting on display, humming in thought. “What do you think of this one?”
Escorting Cece in through the front doors of the museum made Peter feel like he was walking on air right now. Their truce-turned-friendship was growing more genuine by the day, and it was nice that they could enjoy an outing together like this sharing in a love for art. He chuckled as she pretended to take offense to his summation of the kitchen incident being entrapment, and indeed she raised a good point in defense of herself. “Perhaps, or maybe you did know and are just that good at hiding it,” he quipped back, smiling wider than ever. “Well, if it helps then I think you’re the most intelligent, most artistic, of all the lawyer types I’ve run my con on?” He felt confident enough that she realized everything he just said was a lie, that she was completely and totally unique and someone who stood out in every way to Peter both in professional and personal life.
Both were willing to go along with what the other one wanted, and at her excited tone for checking out something new they’d both seen, he expressed sentiment that he wanted her to enjoy today as well. Her acceptance and thanking of him drew yet another grin from Peter, he couldn’t seem to stop smiling now. “Oh I promise, I am,” he assured her and then as Cece took his hand to drag him towards the new exhibit he couldn’t help but love the way she happily let it be known she appreciated the chance to show off too. They did indeed have a lot in common. And then as she gave him a wink, Peter slowly inhaled. It was very tough to resist.
Bringing him to a stop in front of the first painting, Peter stood beside Cecelia and took it in. Moments later she asked what he thought, and though he was actually looking at the painting his words could just has easily have been about the company with him. “Breathtaking, I’d say.”
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