Simple Complexity

Part 7

'You look exquisite,' he murmured, and Erin couldn't help but blush.

Josh stood, shaking each woman's hand, Holtz on his other side at the round table with Patty and Abby together opposite him.

'Great to see you all again, I feel pretty honoured to be here,' Josh started, looking at them all, 'dinner with the Ghostbusters.'

'And dating one,' Abby said, her finger raising a little to point to Erin.

Josh smiled at his girlfriend, 'Yeah, and she's gorgeous.'

Erin blushed as Holtz snorted, her eyes meeting Erin's and the brunette tilted her head, shaking it a little. The blonde looked away, looking down to the menu flicking through it and then looking up.

'I'm going to order drinks, who wants a drink?'

The blonde was already standing up, looking over to the bar and then back to the others, they all nodded, giving her their orders and the woman walked away, Patty standing too, murmuring something about helping her.

'So, Josh,' Abby said slowly, looking from Erin to the man, 'Columbia? Erin's told me a lot about your work.'

Josh chatted, leaning forward a little as Abby did the same, Josh discussing his work and papers he had written.

Holtzmann and Patty waited for their drinks to be made at the bar, Holtz sitting herself up on a barstool as she did, looking down to her hands, and Patty reached out to her shoulder, tapping it.

'Holtzy.'

The woman looked up, and Patty exhaled softly, 'She hasn't taken her eyes off you, you know.'

'What are you talking about,' Holtzmann replied, shaking her head.

'You know who I'm talking about,' Patty said, 'Erin.'

Holtz shook her head, 'Her eyes have been glued to him.'

Patty let out a loud sigh.

'Well, her eyes have been glued to you since you came down the stairs tonight.'

'Don't Patty, please,' Holtz begged.

'Well just so you know, she's been looking at you the entire time we've been up here.'

Holtz shook her head.

Patty nodded.

'Why doesn't she do something about it then?' Holtz said exasperatedly.

'Maybe she doesn't know how, I don't think she's been interested in women before.....you.' Patty sighed, 'Look I'm not a scientist, but uh...for two people that are supposed to be hella smart, you're both equally as stupid...'

Holtz tilted her head, 'Gee thanks Patty Cakes.'

Patty snorted.

'She needs to do something,' Holtz said quietly, 'I can't keep...I just can't keep...,' her voice trailed off.

'Maybe...maybe honey you need to...stop. With everything I mean, your little date nights. Because that's what you're doing.'

'Patty,' Holtz said softly, 'I've tried to forget about her, I have. I've tried, I even...god...with someone...else..but I couldn't.' Holtz almost had a pained look on her face, 'All I could think about was her.'

'Oh, baby girl.'

'I keep telling myself to stop loving her, I do. But it's almost as though I forget to stop loving her.'

Patty's face softened.

'I love holding her Patty, just, her, in my arms, it's perfect.'

Patty nodded sympathetically.