A/N: OMG, you guys are amazing! Thank you so much for the awesome feedback, and all the story alerts and favorites. I hope I can keep this up, I want to do all of you proud!

So, we will be switching back and forth between Sookie's and Eric's POV. I find it really interesting to get both their sides, plus it helps us understand where they are coming from a lot more. As most of you pointed out, yes, I am writing a much more bold and confident Sookie. She's such a blast to write for that way!

Oh, I also wanted to add that yes, I threw a little Coyote Ugly action in there. I think the movie stinks, except for the dancing on the bar parts. I highly recommend it ;)

Disclaimer: All characters belong to the wonderfully brilliant Charlaine Harris. I'm just messin' with 'em.

Chapter 2

SPOV

As I walked away from the booth, I hoped Eric couldn't see me grinning like an idiot. I turned one last time to look at him, and to give him another demure smile. Turns out, he was the one with the huge smile plastered to his face. Like he was a kid on Christmas morning. I felt the butterflies in my stomach. Was I giddy? Maybe. He was... interesting. And gorgeous. Hot. Kind of adorable, the way he stuttered a little when I talked to him. Yeah, adorable.

I gave him a little wave as he left through the front door, and I slipped back behind the bar, thinking about my night up until this point.

I knew I had to work at 7, so I started getting ready at 5. The drive to Shreveport took about 50 minutes, so I showered and blow-dried my hair, moisturized and put on some light makeup. My tan was still looking fresh, so I felt pretty great about myself. I danced and sang around my little farmhouse cleaning up after myself, and headed out the door.

I only worked part time at Merlotte's, but I didn't do it for the money. I was a writer, and did so full time. Not that many people knew about it, as I used a pen name, Michelle Hale. It was a mix of my mother's first name, and my Gran's maiden name. I liked the anonymity. I was on my fourth novel, in a series about a barmaid and the strange supernatural world she lives in. They say write about what you know, right? Well, the character was based on me. A little.

I worked at the bar to get out and socialize with the world, and to see my friends as often as possible. Sam Merlotte was the owner, and we'd grown up together. The same goes for my best girlfriends, Tara Thornton, and Amelia Broadway. Having your oldest, closest friends around you is something I cherish, especially now that the only blood family I have left is my brother, Jason.

Momma and Daddy died in a car accident when I was 7, and Jason was 10. After that, we lived with our Gran. She passed away only 2 years ago, and I miss her everyday. She was so much to me, I can only hope she knew how much I loved her. I was really glad that she got to see me make something of myself. I knew she was proud.

I got into my Mustang and headed out. Yes, I did treat myself to a new car when I got my first few royalty checks. I thought I deserved it. It was a cherry red 2008 Mustang GT convertible. And it didn't look like a girly car. I really hated those tiny little Miatas. Sissy!

I immediately cranked up the stereo and search my iPod for something I could belt out. I found Magic Man by Heart, and wailed along with it.

Even though I was singing along, I couldn't help letting my mind wander. It had been a year since I'd been with anyone. By choice, yes, but I admitted it was getting a little lonely. Maybe some women would be desperate to find a man as soon as the possibility of 'single' came up, but not me. I was single because after dealing with my douchebag of an ex, I refused to settle. Bill was a mind fuck, for lack of a better term. He could be doting and sweet, then cold and careless. When I found out he'd been cheating for two of the three years of our relationship, with his skanky ex, Lorena, from high school, I kicked his ass to the curb. Not before I broke his nose, though. The rest, they say, is history.

I pulled into the parking lot at Merlotte's in record time. Oops. Damn this sexy car. It takes me places much faster than it should! Bad sexy car!

I met Amelia in the parking lot, and she ran up to give me a bear hug.

"Amelia! Can't... breathe!" I laughed at my friend, and marvelled that no matter what, she was always perky and in a great mood. It was contagious, which meant I was most always giggling and laughing, too. We were about the same height, only to my long blonde hair and curves, she had a light, reddish brown pixie haircut and was much more slim. I liked to poke fun at her, telling her she looked like a soccer mom.

"Hey hot stuff! So, I was thinking, what do you say we three sexy bitches make another appearance on the bar tonight? I feel like shaking it tonight, don't you?" She winked as we entered the bar, walking around back to throw our purses in Sam's office.

I laughed back at her, waving to Sam as we passed him. "You're on, honey. I have a feeling it's going to be a great night tonight. Not sure why... what do you think that means? Am I psychic now, or something?" I grinned, hand on my hip.

At that moment, Tara strolled in. Having heard me, she answered, "Nope, just strangely optimistic! But deservedly so. Seriously girlfriend, you need a man. Like in the worst way!" She playfully punched me in the shoulder, then pecked me on the cheek. Amelia was nodding enthusiastically with that last comment. Tara was taller than Amelia and I, with long, dark brown hair and bangs. I always thought she looked like a model. She always told me to shove it.

I rolled my eyes at both of them, and threw my hands up in the air. "Fine! How about this? I promise that if my Prince Charming walks through the door of Merlotte's tonight, and wants to sweep me off my feet, I will let him. Now will you two shut up already?" I tried to keep a straight face, but faltered when they squealed like little girls.

The evening passed by, as any other, really. I loved the fact that Merlotte's had so many regular customers. It made working even more fun. We danced and sang along to the music when we were slinging drinks behind the bar. We had dishrag whipping fights (which I always won!), and enthusiastic debates with the patrons.

At about 9, Amelia decided it was time to "shake it like a Polaroid picture" – her words, not mine – so we threw on some great dancing tunes as Sam helped us each on top of the bar. The first song that came on was Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy), which got the crowd good and riled up. That's the benefit of living in the South – say the word 'cowboy' and the crowd eats out of your hand.

The second song was I Love Rock 'n Roll, which was a treat for the crowd because of a talent show routine the three of us once did in high school.

I was dancing around, clapping my hands above my head, having a blast, when the third song started. Kid Rock's Cowboy started and I felt giddy. I loved dancing to this song!

I was swaying my hips and stomping my boots on the bar surface, having the time of my life, when my eyes locked onto someone in the crowd. He was much taller than almost everyone in the bar, standing at what I guessed was about 6'5" or so. He was weaving his way through the crowd towards the bar, and I felt myself flush. He was an Adonis. Gorgeous. He had long shoulder-length blonde hair the same shade as mine, which was tied into a low ponytail. He scanned the crowd as he made his way towards me, through beautiful cerulean eyes. I could see the outline of his chiseled body through the green v-neck tee he was wearing, along with his dark denim jeans, slung oh-so-low on his narrow hips. I felt a sudden heat over my entire body. Wow. I may have been drooling if not for the dance I was trying to concentrate on. Well, fuck me. Hello, stranger.

I shook a little more just for him.

With a final shake of our hips, the song finished and the crowd erupted in cheers. We did a little bow, and Sam helped each one of us down, Amelia bursting into a fit of excited giggles.

Sam told Tara and I to take a break, as we hadn't taken one yet, but I could see my Adonis out of the corner of my eye, leaning against the bar expectantly. I smirked and thought I'd have a little fun with him. "In a minute, Sam, let me get this handsome man a drink." I gave him my best flirty smile. "Well hey stranger, I've never seen you in here before. Are you lost?"

I had to hide my internal fit of butterflies when gave it right back.

"Lost? No. Not anymore. I'll have a Heineken. And if it's not too much trouble, your name and number." Hmm, this was going to be a challenge, even if he did sound a little flustered. God, he's even more gorgeous up close. And he smells divine.

We continued a little banter and I obliged him when he asked to get to know me. How could I not? I was suddenly remembering Tara and Amelia's mocking earlier that night, and realized there wasn't any reason not to be interested. Especially when he seemed so enamored with me. What girl could resist that? Not to mention the effect he seemed to be having on my long-dormant lady parts. Dear Lord, his smile alone was sending signals to some very sensitive parts of my body. Yum.

By the time I handed his phone back to him after entering my number, I decided I was going to go for it. He was charming, gorgeous, and funny. I got up to leave, adding, "It was lovely to meet you, Mr. Northman." It took a split second to decide to kiss him on the cheek. Always leave them wanting more!

Once I saw him leave, I practically skipped back to Sam's office, where Tara and Amelia were standing waiting for me, huge smile plastered on their faces. They looked like crazy clowns. I decided to play it down.

"Sooooo?" Amelia made a motion with her hands to hurry the information out of me. I simply turned my back to them without a word, and retrieve my cell phone from my purse, so I could retrieve the text I sent to myself and enter Eric's number. There was another text waiting for me, from the same number.

Damn those butterflies! I opened the message.

I decided to ignore the "rules". Go out with me tomorrow night?
~E

Oh boy. Looks like I was going to see my Adonis again sooner than I thought.

I relayed all the details to my squealing girlfriends, internally making a realization.

I am so screwed.