Sorry it's been awhile, guess I'm preparing us for the school year. Hope you like this one.
It's just a first date, nothing to be nervous about. Eliza thought, unsuccessfully trying to calm her nerves. Everyone gets nervous before a first date, fear of immediate rejection, humiliation, failure, and in this case, murder. Focus she scolded herself, sliding on the dress Sherlock had presented to her earlier that day. It hugged her slight curves to a tee, as if made exactly for her, accentuating her thin figure modestly and giving her a boost in confidence. With a slight sigh she carefully brushed on a bit of mascara and lilac eyeshadow, loathing the creamy texture. She hated dressing up, the work, the stress, the pressures of society defining beautiful for her, but when she did dress up... Damn, she looked good. Not the average pretty, and definitely not beautiful, but good.
Stepping out of the small bathroom she made her way to behind the counter where her shoes sat, waiting in anticipation of the night to come. Stripes of the sunset peered through the windows, conforming to the contour of her face as she stepped back into the living room, where Sherlock sat across from the entryway, eyes closed and ivory fingertips pressed to his chin, just grazing his lower lip, in his usual thinking pose. He was wearing the shirt, the dark violet one that matched her outfit perfectly and accented his onyx locks, he looked so peaceful. She smiled before whispering "Sherlock?" His eyes immediately flashed open, instantly taking in her change of wardrobe.
"Yes?" He asked.
Eliza sighed,"I-I'm nervous." and I guess I don't look so good.
"Don't be." he said and then strode toward her until they were inches apart. Staring into her eyes the consulting detective tentatively raised his hand, only glancing away for a second to gently brush her hair behind her ear before returning to gaze into her wide eyes. Thump-thump thump-thump, Eliza's heart pounded inside her chest as her lips parted slightly. Sherlock then swiftly dove in, tilting his head to the side and- turned on the earring before quickly backing away again and turning toward the open laptop that sat on the coffee table.
"It's on now." Sherlock stated while he fiddled with her laptop. Eliza quietly released a breath she did not realize she was holding. Stupid girl, why would he ever like you? her mind taunted, slumping her shoulders as it did so. Focus she scolded herself and quickly straightened up, plastering a smile across her face as she said, "Good. Would you hand me my scarf please?"
He picked up the scarf and held it out to her, never even looking up from the screen until she yanked it out of his hand with a hint of hostility. It was her favorite scarf, an elegant patch-work of different indigo stitches woven together into something unique and beautiful. It was perfectly her, and she knew so the second she saw it, and so did he... Focus she thought, tipping her head back as if swallowing the memories that threatened to suffocate her. Sherlock studied her as she put on the scarf with the look of a lost puppy, what had he done to offend her? He let it go for now, instead asking "Do you remember the plan?"
"Of course." she said, slipping on her flats, jacket and purse before walking to the entrance.
"Remember..." Sherlock stated, stopping Eliza halfway through exiting the shop, she leaned back, waiting briefly for an end that never came before slamming the door shut. Sherlock stood there for a moment, paralyzed by the fact that he himself did not quite know what he was about to say.
~x*X*x~x*X*x~x*X*x~x*X*x~x*X*x~
Eliza tugged the hem of her skirt nervously as the waiter led her to the table where Grant Harrow sat waiting in pastel blue dress shirt and khaki pants, the same silky black fedora resting on the back of his chair. Upon seeing her he greeted her with a broad grin that created dimples in his clean-shaven face, and rose as she was seated. You can do this, just act casual, you've done it many times before she told herself, sitting with a smile plastered on and allowing Grant to push in her chair as he said "You look ravishing this evening Eliza."
"Thank you, you're such a gentleman!" she replied, still smiling and tucking her hair back so Sherlock could see. I hope he heard that, even if he is just a friend he should learn to be gracious she thought as she opened the menu.
"Everything looks so wonderful, you have picked a perfect place." Grant said after grazing over the menu for a few moments.
"It does." Eliza replied, setting down the menu as she did so. Then, remembering her reading on body language, she tilted her head slightly and set her forearms on the table, leaning in with hands loosely clasped and facing him as she asked "So tell me about yourself Grant, what is it that you do for a living?"
"I'm a traveling nurse, it's sort of a supply teacher for nursing, going all over England to whatever hospital I am needed at. Nothing exciting." He responded automatically in a nonchalant manner, very believable. "What about you?" He asked, leaning in as well with equal interest and a sort of laid back, arrogant posture.
"Oh, I run a tea and coffee shop, very boring. All sorts of characters though. I'm sure you know what's that like though." she responded pleasantly, instantly leading her date into an entertaining story about one of his patients.
The night continued almost pleasantly, with a fantastic meal and sharing stories. Eliza hit most of the questions before giving up, this guy was obviously very experienced in lying or perhaps did do this nursing thing on the side. Either way she had practically forgotten her mission as the night wound down, even sharing a desert in the candle light. It's amazing how people can do horrible things, yet, be so charming. And I thought normal guys were liars she thought to herself as he put on his sports coat and hat before helping her into her own jacket. Opening the door for her and using an umbrella to shelter her from the pouring rain Eliza whispered "Thank you."
"My pleasure." He whispered back, so gently as he stared into her eyes. Tenderly sliding his free hand into hers Grant searched her face, his blue eyes shining in the moonlight. He then closed his eyes and slowly leaned forward, mouth parted slightly. Realizing what was happening Eliza quickly but softly placed a finger to his lips, as if to shush him. "Good things come to those who wait." she said in a quiet way, so seductive it surprised her and she smiled. He backed up, frowning and with what almost looked like a flash of anger in his eyes. But he quickly smiled "So there will be another time?"
"If the traveling nurse can take time out of his adventures. Then we will see." She said teasingly with grin, remembering to bite her lip in a flustered manner.
"Well I am quite busy this next week but if you would like I am attending a darts tournament with a few friends on Friday. It's a local pub we like." He said before scanning the street for a cab.
Friends? Pub? As in blurry-photograph-serial-killer-drunks friends and pub? Oh god, what do I do? I don't want to make him angry, say something sexy and neutral. She thought, silently freaking out. "I'll check my schedule." she decided on, giving him a (hopefully) hot half-smile. He smiled back and said "I'll await your call." and then led her to the cab he hailed down.
"Thank you for tonight." She said politely, squeezing his hand in a false affectionate way. He took it and pressed it to his lips, making her blush for real as he said "Until next time." and released her. She jumped into the cab, anxiously awaiting Sherlock's deductions and whatever the future held.
I know this isn't my best work. Sorry. Honestly I have never been on a date so idk. Any way please review, it makes the whole process much more worthwhile!
Thanks for reading, Eleora ^.^