Don was waiting for her when the last camera finally flicks off and the election coverage is officially done. Sloan feels like she's tottering on her four-inch Christian Louboutin heels, but she smooths her skirt and tries to walk in a dignified manner toward him. He smiled at her earlier, when she was still on screen. He could have easily just meant it to calm her nerves while she was on camera and was now about to give her the "just friends" talk. Or the "inappropriate work behavior" talk. Or the "you're a psychotic freak" talk. That was her least favorite. Sloan honestly wasn't sure what was waiting for her as she inched closer. Will's inability to let her finish a sentence on air gave her a lot of time to think. And analyze. And over-analyze. And second-guess. And third guess.
But he smiles. When she's about three feet away, he smiles. And then reaches out, snags her hand and drags her close, so that she practically falls against him. He's warm. But he doesn't kiss her. He just looks down and smiles softly at her. "Hi."
"Hi," she answers and would have kicked herself for sounding breathless if she had any strength left.
"Would it be completely inappropriate for me to ask you to dinner?"
Sloan felt her head shake. "After my display in the control room, it would be completely inappropriate for you not to ask me to dinner."
He smile deepens. "Have dinner with me."
"That's not technically asking." Sloan could kick herself.
His expression warms even more, if that is possible. "Sloan," he says, his head tilting down closer to hers. "Don't be cute or I'll be tempted to kiss you right here."
"What's wrong with right here?"
"Absolutely nothing," he replies and lowers his head the final inch to cover her lips with his. When she immediately kisses him back, Don feels his world settle. Like everything is clicking into place. He also feels his blood heat, so after a moment, he forces himself an inch away. "Have dinner with me," he repeats on a whisper.
"Okay," she responds immediately.
"I was terrified I misread that kiss in the control room," Don confides in her. "I didn't, right?"
Sloan quickly shakes her head. For once, words seem to be eluding her.
"Good," Don answers. "We're starting a thing?"
Sloan nods again, not caring how eager she looks. "We're starting a thing."
With a grin, Don finally takes a step back. "C'mon. They're probably finishing off the champagne without us and I feel like celebrating."
Before Don gets too far away, Sloan tightens her grip on his hand to stop him and blurts out, "Don't feel scared."
Don's entire body freezes.
"I mean that's not true- of course I'm completely terrified with the aspects of starting a 'thing' with a guy I've probably been in love with for over a year, but – " oh, shit, did she just say that out loud? By the stunned look on Don's face, the answer is year, she just did. Sloan forges on: "But, I don't feel scared in the way that I usually do with a guy because I'm pretty sure he's eventually going to take my soul and shred it with really sharp, mean-spirited talons because he's gonna end up being a bad guy. I don't feel that way with you."
Don takes a breath. He's never felt more humbled in his life. He knows, better than anyone, that Sloan's been hurt in the past. She's right to be scared when entering a relationship, but she has an utter confidence in him to be a good guy and handle her with care – no internet stalking, cheating or false promises. "Good," he finally manages. "Because you deserve a good guy."
She smiles that radiant smile that Don always feels in his gut. "I got one."