Chapter Text
The coffee shop by the precinct had become a daily morning routine for Olivia. Her job was hard and she sometimes needed a little push to get her day started off right. The line today though was longer than usual when she entered the shop on the corner of the street. She got in the back of the line and pulled out her phone while she waited.
After some contemplation, she opened Tinder, that Elliot had convinced her to download the week before. She started swiping on a few people as people got in line behind her. She came across a few attractive guys, but their descriptions were boring so she swiped left. She came across one man, his name was Rafael, he was attractive, but his description said he was a lawyer. She had sworn she would never date a lawyer, so she swiped left.
"Ouch, hard no for that one?" She heard a voice ask from behind her, and Liv turned around to see the man she had just swiped left on. What was his name? She tried to think of something to say, she didn't know whether she owed him an explanation or an apology, but this was certainty awkward.
"So you're snooping?" She asked and he put his hands up in defense.
"Simply saw over your shoulder. It's a shame though, I would've loved to take someone as beautiful as you out on a date." He said and she scanned his face, begging her brain to remember what this man's name was. And then it came to her.
"Well Rafael, I must say, your picture really doesn't do you justice." Olivia quipped and the man smirked as he rocked on his feet. She threw a smile over her shoulder as she stepped up to order her coffee. Just as she was pulling out her card to pay, her Tinder man stepped forward and handed the barista his card. He ordered his coffee and had it added to the bill, before turning to go sit at a table in the corner, waiting for Olivia to join him.
Olivia hesitantly made her way over to him. Something about this man was interesting. His hair was gelled nicely to one side, and his three piece suit looked exceptionally nice. She sat down across from him and cleared her throat.
"Thanks for buying my coffee. I'm Olivia, by the way." She said, reaching across the table to shake his hand. His hand was soft and warm and felt nice holding lightly onto hers. She drew back her hand when they made eye contact, and she felt something. Like maybe this man she just happened to cross paths with, was more than one of those no good men she had heard about on Tinder.
"So, Olivia, I must ask. What is a beautiful woman like you doing on a dating app?" He asked, after their coffee was delivered. He was such a flirt.
"Well, I'm a detective with the NYPD. The job takes a lot of time, I don't really have time for relationships." She shrugged, and he nodded, leaning forward on his elbows.
Rafael cracked a smile at her and reached across the table to grab her hand. "Well, we're both busy people. But, how about we both delete Tinder and whenever we're free, I'm taking you out to dinner. Take it slow, see where it leads us." He suggested, stroking her knuckles as he watched her curiously.
"I think I'd like that." She said and they both pulled out their phones, exchanged numbers, then deleted Tinder. He smiled as he slipped his phone back in his pocket and she returned the smile, admiring his green eyes. "Well Rafael, I should go. But this was amazing. I will definitely call." Olivia assured him as she stood, he stood as well and reached a hand out to grip her wrist.
"Ok, Olivia, it was so nice meeting you." Their eyes connected for a moment and he leaned in to press a kiss to her cheek, pulled back just enough to look in her eyes for consent, and then leaned in again to kiss her lips tenderly. Olivia couldn't help the blush the crept up her cheeks, as she turned to leave the coffee shop, turning around once to wave at Rafael.
A week later, SVU had just wrapped up a case, Olivia was packing up her bag and getting ready to leave for her first date with Rafael. They had been communicating non stop, but she was so excited to finally go on a real date with him. Elliot was sitting at his desk, looking through some files when she walked over to say her goodbyes for the night.
"Alright, El. I'm heading out. See you tomorrow." She said, tapping the corner of his desk walking toward the elevator, but his voice stopped her.
"Hey, I forgot to ask, how's Tinder going?"
"Deleted it." She shrugged and he looked shocked.
"Oh come on, Liv! You gotta at least try!" Elliot replied, standing up and walking over to her. She smiled at the look on his face.
"I found someone. I actually need to leave now because I have a date with him tonight." She explained and he clapped his hands and she laughed and waved as she left, feeling so thrilled to see Rafael, and begin exploring this new found relationship.
TBC...