AN: Thanks to those who reviewed. I heart you all. So that's about it.. just confessing my love to strangers : )
Disclaimer: I don't own nuffin.
"Hooters?!" Casey asked with disgust. "Hooters is the 'terrific restaurant' you wanted to bring me to?"
Again, he just couldn't stop laughing at her. He forgot how funny she was even though she wasn't being that way on purpose, "I knew you'd love it." he smiled big. They sat at their table where the Hooters waitress guided them. She walked away and Derek looked at Casey and whispered, "See" he pointed over at the waitress, "that's why this place is terrific. Don't you agree?"
Casey raised her menu and blocked Derek from her. He put his hand on her menu and brought it down to find her laughing. He raised an eyebrow, "You are still the same, Derek."
"Of course I am." he said proudly. He sat back in his seat, "I can't really say the same about you though."
"Why not?" she laughed a bit nervous.
"I expected you to kill me for bringing you here. Something about how degrading it is for women to dress like that in restaurants while they serve people. Some sexist type of argument like the whole Babe Raider fiasco. But no. You laugh." he expressed shock.
She let out a small laugh, "I'm used to coming here, actually."
"Really, now?"
"Yeah, Mi--" the waitress interrupted them.
"Hi, I'm your waitress for today. Could I get you any drinks? Or are you ready to order?" bubbly was what she was.
"I'll get whatever you have on tap." he looked at Casey.
"I'll just have a water with lemon."
"Okay, great. Do you still need a minute?"
"Yeah. A few more minutes." Casey told her.
"Okay, I'll be back." she smiled and left.
"Hm." Casey shrugged to herself.
"What?"
"She's pleasantly nice." she seemed surprised.
He laughed to himself, "Toronto Hooters don't have nice waitresses?"
"Yeah, they are such bitches. Them and their really tight orange booty shorts." she muttered angrily, "Just because you're hot doesn't mean you're better."
"See, Casey I beg to differ." he smirked. She smiled at his smirk. It's been a while since she'd seen it.
She quickly retorted, "That's because you are still disgusting."
"Oh, Case. You know me so well." she rolled her eyes, "See also the DC waitresses are extremely nice. If you know what I mean." he wagged his eyebrows.
She stared in disgust, "Pig." Finally the waitress came back and they ordered.
"So what does the family think of your new success?"
She shrugged, "They're happy for me, of course."
"Yeah, duh." he felt stupid for asking, "So how many books have you written anyway? I only heard about this one, obviously."
"I wrote a few novels. They weren't too good, I guess. I kept wanting people to love them but this business is just tough." she said sadly, "It took me forever to just let go and realize I can't really please everyone and I need to just do it for myself. With this last book, I did just that." she expressed proudly.
He nodded. He didn't usually have conversations this personal with people, so he had no idea how to act or what to say. "Cool."
"I just said all that crap and you only give me one word answers?" she complained. "Thanks, a lot Derek."
"Sorry." he laughed. Silence ensued.
She sighed, "Well, did you..." she stared down while playing with her fingers, "did you read it at least?" she asked a bit nervous.
He snorted, "Casey, I still don't read things longer than graphic novels."
The waitress came with their drinks. "Thanks." they said in unison.
"No problem. Food should be out shortly." she walked away.
She took a sip of her water and looked up at him, "So that's a no?"
"Yeah, I didn't read it." he confirmed. She nodded. A sense of relief and sadness both washed over her. She couldn't really tell herself why. He stared down at his beer, "So what's your book about anyway?"
"Romance. What else?" she laughed nervously. She needed to change the subject. Fast, "How's the film and photography stuff going?"
Their food finally came. Derek disgustingly stuffed some fries in his mouth. He took a sip of his beer and looked back up at Casey, "It's alright. I do a few projects here and there for people in the area. I mean I'm not on the road to fame right now or anything but I still have some sort of dream of it happening."
"Cool." she laughed to herself, mocking him.
He rolled his eyes, "You know what? I actually won an award. You're not the only success in the family." he wanted to throw it in her face.
"Really?" He nodded and she stared shocked, "Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"It was a silly picture I took and I didn't think it was worthy of an award. I didn't really feel like I deserved it so I decided not to tell anyone. Simple as that."
"What was the picture of?" she wanted to know why Derek would keep such an accomplishment away from his family.
"I don't even remember anymore. Well..." he trailed off, "I just know I really loved it. Probably the best picture I took because of what was in it. I loved what was in it." he shrugged, "It was around my last year at AU that I won and I think I lost the picture then too."
"Still disgusting and unorganized. I was right." she announced proudly once more.
He snorted, "Still judgmental and boastful."
"Aw, well aren't you a sweetheart." she angrily expressed as she kicked his shin.
"Ow." he glared at her, "I couldn't be anything else, baby-cakes." he kicked her right back.
She broke out in laughter even though her shin hurt, "Baby-cakes? Really, Derek?"
He laughed too, "Sweetheart?" he raised an eyebrow. She shrugged. "You still have the CD I gave you?"
"Of course I still have it, dummy." she smiled.
He was a bit hesitant, "Y-you didn't use it at your--"
She scoffed, "No! I said I wouldn't."
He nodded slowly, "Good." He sat back in his chair and let out a breath, "Well I'm just about done here."
"Yeah, you like literally inhaled your food." disgust written on her face.
"You take forever because you savor every bite." he joked, "But don't worry, Casey. I'll wait for you."
"I'm finished." Derek stared at her half eaten burger, "I hate when people watch me eat."
"Well if you're not gonna eat it." he slid her plate over to his side and chowed down.
She stared at him in disbelief, "Lovely."
"I know, right?!" he mumbled with his mouth full.
She just watched him until he ate the last of it. She nodded slowly matching his pig-like habits, "Done?"
"Yup." he was proud. "So what time is it now?"
She looked at her cell phone, "Almost 1:30." she shook her head, "It didn't seem like we were here that long."
"Aw, you're sad because your time with me is almost up." he joked.
She arched her eyebrows; smiling, "Shut up. No."
"Right." he didn't believe her, "Well you're still mine for about 2 and a half hours." he sat and thought for a minute, "I know it's kind of childish but you wanna go to the Zoo? It's not too far from here."
She smiled, "Sure. It's been forever since I went to a Zoo. You like the Zoo, Derek?" she was surprised.
"Hey! I love me some Pandas. Sue me." he said proudly. He paid for their lunch and he stood up, "Ready?" she nodded.
Derek brought her to the National Zoo and they began their walk and talk while looking at the various animals. "Aw, the Pandas! They are so cute!"
"See! Aren't they cool?" he got excited. "I used this place as a practice piece for when I started taking photographs. Or just to get away." there was a bit of sadness to his tone.
She looked over at him, "Get away from what?"
He shrugged, "I meant like just to clear my head of thoughts or looking for some sort of inspiration."
She nodded and looked back through the glass, "Oh." She looked over her Zoo guide. "Oh! Derek they have mammals!"
"Well duh."
"You know, like rats and mice."
"We are not going there." he shuddered.
She laughed at him, "You are still scared!" she realized.
"I'm not going to answer that." he stared ahead.
She snorted, "So that's a yes." she looked back down at her guide, "Let's go see the Derek's!" he raised an eyebrow, "I meant the Apes!"
"Cute." he muttered.
"Just kidding. Come on let's go!" she grabbed his hand and he was a little weirded out by it. She noticed, "Sorry." she let go.
They were walking toward the monkey building. He was dying to ask, "So Casey.."
She looked at him, "Yeah?"
"How's married life treating you?"
DunDunDun... review pwease...or else I'll leave this one hostage. heheh I wouldn't do that...or would I? : ( :
