"Sookie? This is Eric. I have a favor to ask."

"A favor? Sure. I'll do it."

"Don't you want to know what it is first?" Even through the phone Sookie could imagine Eric smirking. She felt like an idiot. Jumping to do whatever he asked of her. Could she be more obvious that she had a crush on him? She tried to regain some composure before she answered.

"Sure. I'm sorry. Just a bit busy right now and I jumped the gun." She hoped that sounded plausible, but she doubted it. She was bored not busy. Most women her age were out at the bar on a Friday night. Sookie, however, was taking care of Gran and cleaning her own home. Some days it felt like she spent her entire life with a dust rag in her hand.

"I could call back later if that would be better."

"No, no problem at all Mr. Northman." She almost choked on the word Mr. She always tried to remain formal with him. But deep down she longed to call him Eric or baby while she ran her fingers through his hair. He'd give her that trademark grin right before kissing her into oblivion. Sookie let out a soft sigh and returned her attention to the phone call.

"Well, first of all, please don't call me Mr. Northman. I'm Eric. And second, I was calling to see if you were free this weekend."

Sookie stared at the phone stunned. Free this weekend? She was free every weekend. Even if she weren't she would make time for Eric. Was he asking her on a date? Had he broken it off with Felicia?

"Yes. I'm free." For you. She wanted to add. All for you Eric.

"Wonderful. Would you mind cooking for and cleaning up after a dinner party I need to host tomorrow night?"

Sookie's heart sank to her stomach. Cooking and cleaning. Of course. Her job. He wanted her to work overtime. He didn't want to ask her out on a date. He wanted her to cook for him and his friends. She wanted to tell him no. No way. But after telling him she was free this weekend she couldn't come up with a good enough excuse. So she tried keep her voice steady as she answered him.

"Of course. What would you like me to prepare? I could get the groceries necessary tomorrow morning and be there by the afternoon to start."

"I was thinking simple. Salad, some sort of fish for the main course, and a simple dessert."

"How about a nice caesar salad, grilled salmon, and a lemon tart for desert?"

"Sounds wonderful. I'll reimburse you for the groceries when you arrive and I'll pay you double what I do during the week."

"That's very generous of you. Is there anything else?"

"No, that is all. Oh, you will be cooking for 6."

"Great. Well, I will see you tomorrow."

"Good night Sookie."

"Night Mr. N-, Eric."

Sookie flipped her cell phone shut and leaned up against kitchen wall. Tears were now streaming down her face. How could she be so dumb? To honestly think that Eric Northman would ask her out on a date. Especially when he had the beautiful Felicia. Beautiful and vicious. But that was Eric's choice.

Drying her eyes with the back of her hand, Sookie trudged her way over to the freezer. After finding her favorite ice cream, Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey, she shuffled her feet and sniffled back her tears all the way to the living room. She didn't even bother with the T.V. She just plopped herself down on the couch and cried in between mouthfuls of calories that were destined for her hips.

~*~

Eric hung up the phone and stared into space for a few minutes. Had Sookie been crying? She sounded fine until she said she'd come over to cook for his dinner party tomorrow. When she answered him it sounded like she was fighting back tears. But why would she be so upset. Maybe she was having a bad day. He'd have to remember to try to make her smile a bit tomorrow.

He eased back into his office chair and stared blankly at his computer screen. He should be doing work. It wasn't going to happen. He couldn't get Sookie's sad voice out of his head. Maybe he should call her back. If she was sick than she shouldn't be worrying about helping him tomorrow.

It isn't like he wanted to host a dinner party but Felicia insisted on meeting a few of his co-workers. She thought it would be fun to host a dinner party with him. When she suggested it he went along with the idea. Then she called him and asked what his maid would be cooking.

Leave it to Felicia to want all of the perks with none of the work. Eric hadn't wanted to call Sookie and ask her to come in on her night off. He was pretty sure she could use a day or two of rest but he had no other choice. He was surprised when she said she was free. A woman like her should have guys beating down her door for a chance to date her.

She was beautiful. Stunning really. Curvy in all the right places with silky looking long blonde hair. Her blue eyes were a shade or two dark than his own. When they would cross paths in the morning he'd find himself talking with her just so he could stare at her eyes for a few moments before going off to work.

The thought of her coming over tomorrow and serving him and his work associates while she was sick had him reaching for the phone. Before he thought better of it he was dialing her number again.

"Hello?" Ah, beautiful Southern accent.

"It's Eric. Look, I just realized you sounded a bit off when we talked a few minutes ago. Are you sick? If you're sick you really don't have to help. I'll hire someone. I know you aren't my cook and I shouldn't have asked, but it was last minute. See Felicia thought up this dinner party then assumed I'd have you do everything and I didn't know that until an hour ago."

Eric finished his speech and slapped his palm to his forehead. Christ, ramble much?

"I'm fine. I was just dusting and was holding back from sneezing."

"Oh. Well, in that case, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yes. Goodnight."

"Night."

When he replaced the phone on the holder he felt like an ass. Holding back from sneezing. Here he was making a huge deal out of nothing. She probably thought he was a moron. Still, for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that she had been crying.

Oh well. All was well and she would assist him tomorrow. Now he could call Felicia and let her know that their dinner party plan was all set. He should be thrilled the problem was solved.

So why was it he stalled picking up the phone? Wishing that it were Sookie hosting the party with him, not Felicia.