I'm not sure how to describe this one. Given what little we know about the upcoming movies, I don't think this is necessarily plausible. That said, I had the idea and decided to follow the tangent for a bit. Let me know what you think or if you are interested in me continuing the story at all. I, of course, do not own these characters or SSD.
This weekly dinner thing really started by accident. Oliver and Shane had both stayed a little late at work after their friends had gone out for the night. Rita and Norman had "date night" on Mondays - something about fewer people and better coupons.
"What are your plans for the evening Oliver?" Shane asked as she packed her belongings to take home.
"Nothing special, Ms. McInerney. I intend to cook some dinner and read for a bit. Actually, I'm afraid I was rather too ambitious on my last trip to the market and bought more food than I could possibly finish myself. If you aren't busy, you are welcomed to join me. I'm not much of a cook, but I can typically manage concocting something edible."
Shane was surprised at the offer. It had been over a month since his divorce was officially finalized and though the two of them had continued to grow closer as friends, neither of them had made any gesture to move beyond that. The trouble here was that she wasn't sure if this was his attempt to do so or if he really had just bought too much food to eat himself. Either way, she had no real plans for the evening and spending time outside of work with the man who had become her best friend was definitely appealing.
"Sure. I might even be of some help. I worked as a hostess at a pretty nice restaurant while in college. The chef used to give the staff cooking lessons a couple times a month so we could better answer the patrons' questions."
"You are always full of surprises Ms. McInerney," Oliver said as he held the door open for her. He couldn't help the small smile from appearing on his face as she walked through the door ahead of him.
The evening was spent casually and cheerfully. They each sipped a glass of wine as they prepared the meal together. Shane showed Oliver a few of the tricks of the trade she had learned, and they spoke about some of their favorite foods from childhood. They ate together at the bar in the kitchen rather than bothering with moving the food into the dining room. They laughed and talked, and Shane remembered thinking at one point that she had never seen Oliver so relaxed. Both were a little surprised when the old-fashioned clock on the wall rang nine times.
"This has been a great evening, Oliver, but I think I better get home," Shane said as she stood and carried her dishes to the sink. Oliver refused to let her clean up and insisted on walking her to the door.
"You never know, Ms. McInerney. I may have to buy too much food more often," he said casually as she stepped outside.
"Intriguing prospect, Mr. O'Toole," Shane replied with a wink and a smile that affected him more than she knew.
After that first night, the Monday evening dinners became part of their weekly routine. Sometimes they went to Shane's place, sometimes to Oliver's. Sometimes they planned the menu the week before and sometimes they went shopping on the way home from the DLO. They talked about everything during those evenings - except for their growing feelings for one another.
The weird thing was that they both knew each other too well to even doubt that their feelings were reciprocated. Sometimes though it isn't doubt in the person you love that holds you back. It's that feeling that you are not enough for them. That worry that everything you've ever touched has been tainted somehow and that you couldn't bear to bring that curse upon someone for whom you care so deeply. That fear kept them from taking that final leap together - until the night mother nature forced a change in the routine.
To be continued...maybe. I don't know. You let me know if you think it's worth the trouble.