"That's where you were all night? I called you three times to see if you wanted to hit that new bar on twelfth." Wilson said as he ate his eggs. House drank some coffee and leaned against the booth.
"It was the best spontaneous date I've ever had. She's gorgeous by the way."
"What is she like?"
"Funny. Annoying. Smart...Different." He said with a far off look.
Wilson smiled in surprise at House's unguarded look.
"Good for you."
House turned his gaze back on Wilson.
"Hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I could still severely screw this up."
"I doubt she'll be able to leave your place after she tastes your succulent meatballs." Wilson said with a coy smile.
"Now, that's the kind of potty humor I needed." House said with a chuckle.
"What's her name anyway?"
"Ariel Harrison. She's a frustrated writer. I wonder if that will translate into the bedroom?"
Wilson shook his head.
"Nice try, but I can already tell this woman has become more than a lustful one-night stand."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Knock. Knock.
"It's open!" House yelled from the kitchen.
"Hmm, it's smells great in here."
House spun around to find Cuddy standing in the kitchen doorway.
"What are you doing here?" He asked briskly.
She nervously played with her bracelet as she moved to lean against a counter.
"I wondered how you've been. We haven't really talked since..."
"The conference." He stated finishing for her.
She nodded slowly at him.
"I just want you to know I didn't mean to tell him all those things about you."
"It would be weird if he didn't know. I mean how else would you get him to agree to hide in your hotel room for a whole weekend." He said nonchalantly as he turned away from her and began to chop up some basil. She moved to stand beside him.
"I am sorry...I don't have to worry about any repurcussions, do I?"
He scoffed at that and turned to look at her.
"I'm expecting company so if you don't mind." House said curtly.
She looked taken aback for a moment but then she collected herself just as fast.
"Wilson coming over?"
"Wilson's on a date with his new neighbor."
"So, who?"
"Greg?!" Ariel yelled from the front door.
Cuddy's gaze turned from him to the front door where she saw a tall, dark-haired, beautiful woman gazing back at her.
"I'm in here! Just follow these kick-ass aromas." House yelled back with a grin on his face.