Page 51 of Hot Zone

“You say tomato, I say to-mah-to,” she said with a chuckle. “Personally, I think every holiday is the most wonderful time of the year.”

“Well, you’re definitely in a good mood, and I don’t believe stringing some lights and putting up some window clings is the reason for it. So, what’s going on?”

She smiled. “I had a date last night. It was fabulous. She was amazing.”

“Spill the tea, girlfriend. Who was she, and where’d you meet her?”

“It was a blind date, believe it or not.”

“No way. I thought you said no more blind dates.”

“I did. Yes, I did. But you know my sister.”

“I do.”

Her sister was an amateur matchmaker, and she’d made it her mission for a while now to make sure Ziva was as crazy in love as she and her husband were.

“Apparently, Charlie works at the place where Molly gets her hair done. When Molly went in for her appointment, she saw a rainbow flag decal on Charlie’s mirror. She asked her stylist if Charlie was a lesbian and if she was single. She said she was both, and naturally, Molly did what Molly does.”

“But it went well?”

“So well, and now Molly will never let me live it down. She’s going to take credit for this for the rest of my life.”

“Do I need to help load theU-Haul?”

She picked up a stuffed snowman out of a box and threw it at me. We both laughed.

“Seriously, I’m happy for you, Ziva. It’s about time you found someone who appreciates you. Besides me, I mean.”

We spent the next couple of hours decorating the shop. When we had the last of the lights up, I stepped back to admire all we’d accomplished.

“It looks great,” I said. “But it’s only the second week of November. We’re both going to be so sick of this by the time we take it down.”

“Speak for yourself. I’d leave it up all year,” she said. “It’s almost noon. Do I need to pick us up some lunch?”

“Not for me. I brought mine.”

“You mean your man made you bring yours.”

“True enough. It was all him.”

“I think that’s sweet.”

“Right? I’m not complaining.”

I’d just heated up my lunch when Mika walked in.

“Hey, Mika,” I said. “What’s up?”

“Not much. Mrs. Thompson had doctor appointments this morning, which meant she didn’t need me, so I thought I’d stop by to see what you were up to. I didn’t mean to interrupt your lunch, though.”

“Don’t worry about it. Have you eaten? Ziva was about to run and get some lunch. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind picking something up for you.”

“No, that’s okay. I had a late breakfast, so I’m not really hungry.”

Ziva stuck her head around the corner. “Are you sure? I’m heading down to Frank’s Pizza to get a slice.”

“Thanks, but I’m sure,” Mika said.

---