Dream Chaser by Patrick Councilor

Niles sat on a leather bench outside the ladies fitting room at the Nordstrom Rack. Daphne stepped out in a full length white dress. His jaw hit the floor.

"So… what do ya think?"

Niles couldn't fight back his smile. He stood as she spun around once. "Oh Daphne, you look stunning, splendid, breathtaking…"

"Dr. Crane, you are so sweet, but you said that about the blue one… and the gray one."

His smile must have been drawn straight from the expression, "The Cat that Ate the Canary". "I'm sorry Daphne. Perhaps you should try them all on again for me to make a solid deduction."

She slapped his arm and called him, "Silly". She turned back toward the fitting rooms.

Niles glanced at his watch. "Oh my, look at the time."

Daphne stopped and spun back around. "Do you have to go?"

"No." Just as soon as he said it, he tried to take his answer back. At least not be so quick to respond. Truth was he didn't have any place to be and really enjoyed being with her. He just didn't want to come across overbearing. "I'm sorry. I mean… this is fun."

"Are you certain? Most men wouldn't want to hang around while their lady-friend shops for clothes."

"Actually, on the contrary, I am having a wonderful time." He took out his handkerchief and wiped his brow. "I have cleared my entire schedule for the evening and will sit here with a smile on my face if I have to sit here the entire night while you try on each and every dress in this clothing establishment."

"That is true." She looked at him with those warm eyes.

"What?" He tried not to stare too longingly into her eyes. He would surely have gotten lost forever. "What is true?"

"You're not like any other men. We get along great together, don't we? You and I?"

Niles had to take a seat as he wiped his forehead once more with his handkerchief. "Yes Daphne. I think we get along great."

"Your wife is more lucky than she realizes. She is."

Niles tucked his hankie back into his jacket. "Thank you Daphne."

"I'll slip back into me own dress. I think I'll take this one."

"Good choice. Then it's off to the shoe section?"

Daphne swallowed and her voice dropped a little. "Dr. Crane, I've only saved enough for the dress."

A certain look of determination came across his face. "Daphne, would you care to dine with me?"

"Tonight?"

"Yes, of course. I would be so honored to purchase a pair of shoes for that dress and we can go somewhere special. You can wear your new outfit."

"Well, what about your wife? Isn't she expecting you to eat with her? And what about Dr. Crane and Mr. Crane? They'll be expecting dinner on time."

"We can call Frasier. He can take Dad out tonight. And Maris… she is dieting and refuses to be in the same room with anything that smells of food. Just the other day, she gained a pound and she blamed it on walking passed the Yankee Candle store."

She laughed a little. "I couldn't ask that of you Dr. Crane."

"You wouldn't be… You're not. I'm asking you. I truly enjoy your company." He waited while she tossed it about in her mind. "Please don't let me dine alone."

"Well… Alright, but I insist that I pay you back for the shoes."

"Thank you Daphne and there is no rush at all to pay me back. I feel you are doing me the favor by joining me for dinner."

"No, thank you Dr. Crane. You are the sweetest man." She placed her hands down on the dress in admiration. "Once we make our purchases, where shall I change into them?"

Niles thought for a moment and then a warm smile arose. "You know what? I have the perfect place in mind for dinner tonight. It's not far from here. We'll just explain that you want to wear the dress to dinner. I'm certain the staff here will allow you to get dressed back here at the fitting rooms."

"Not far from here, eh?" She duplicated his grin. "Nothing too expensive. You're already paying for me shoes."

"No, I can't make any promises like that. My mind's made up. I know exactly where I would like to dine. Remember, you agreed to join me for dinner. So, in retrospect, I should be the one deciding where to go. Is that alright with you?"

Daphne's eyes got misty. "Is that alright with you?" she thought. She never knew any other man who would put his foot down like that and still allow her to have a say so in the matter.