Eliza had decided to go more casual for this one, it was only a dart tournament at the pub after all. Tightly buckling a wide black leather belt over her loose forest green top that gracefully flowed over her black and white print trousers she examined herself in the mirror. Not bad she thought with a smile, of course there were numerous flaws glaring back at her from the looking glass but she shook them away. Think positive, nobody's perfect she thought, trying to encourage herself because she knew that the owner of the footsteps coming towards her would be no help. She backed out of the small bathroom and turned to see Sherlock sitting in the chair across the way, already studying her as she walked towards him. Sitting down and pulling on her black lace up boots she realized he was looking at her funny.
"What?" She said and then stood as he rose from his chair and strode toward her, whipping out a small box.
"You forgot your earrings." He replied, the strange look vanishing from his eyes as he opened the box.
"Here." He said, tenderly pulling back her hair and gently putting them on her as her breath shook. As he pulled back she saw that odd look in his eyes again as he stared into hers.
"What is it? That look?" She said with a fake irritated tilt of her head and nervously pulling her hair back in front of her ears.
"You're wearing eye-shadow." He stated, studying the green-gold makeup that she had carefully placed on her eyelids.
"Girls tend to do that when they go on dates." Eliza said sarcastically, walking to the counter and snatching her purse from it, back to him.
"Well it suits you, brings out the green in your eyes." He remarked slowly with a small smile.
A smile flashed across Eliza's face but was immediately replaced by a blank expression that, under close inspection, could be read as sadness. He's just manipulating me, using encouragement to get what he wants she thought. Avoiding his eyes as she mumbled "Thanks" and walked out, leaving Sherlock questioning his previous deductions and peculiar thoughts.
x*X*x~x*X*x~x*X*x~x*X*x~x*X*x
Just breathe. Eliza thought as she took in a deep breath and stepped into the small London pub. It was crowded and there was a veil of smoke that reminded one of London's frequent fogs but her eyes immediately met Grant's as he took off his hat and rose to greet her with a smile, which she returned with fake joy.
"You look as lovely as ever." He said, once again taking her hand and kissing it with a single suave gesture after he walked over, as she replied her thanks. He then offered her the arm of his cobalt blue sport coat, which she accepted cheerfully and with masked anxiety. He led her to a booth at the back of the bar where two other men sat, two other men whose photos hung on a corkboard map covered in a web of red strings and mystery, two dangerous men on Sherlock's hit list.
"Eliza this is Phil and Robert, my mates. Mates, meet Eliza." He said, gesturing to each in turn and sliding his hand into Eliza's as they said their "hello"s. If it wasn't for the blurry photos of these men depicting them as some of London's most treacherous that she had first seen only last week they would have looked like decent men. They were clean-shaven, dressed casually, Phil having a geeky and methodical appearance and Robert being obviously more built and tough looking, having on a motorcycle jacket and being covered in tattoos. After a little bit of casual conversation and a drink or two each they giggled as the boys bragged about their upcoming tournament.
"I've been practicing daily Grant, you better have your best game face on!" Robert roared with a snickering smile.
"That must have hurt your social life, oh wait... You don't have one!" Grant retorted, causing even more laughter.
"It's really all about the physics, the trajectory angle, momentum -" Phil started rambling.
"Science won't help your aim!" Robert smirked.
"Well boys why don't we settle this!" Grant said, rising and gesturing to the dart board in the corner. They nodded their agreement and with new-found competitive zeal the party strode towards the wooden battle field. Grabbing the darts Grant immediately took position on the red duct-tape line on the floor.
"Oi! You can't practice on the red line!" Robert yelled in a commanding but still friendly tone.
"Ha! Practice is for amateurs! Gentleman- and my lovely lady- prepare to be amazed!" He said with grand gestures and dramatic confidence. With a final wink at Eliza and a deep breath the dart whizzed through air, straight and true, and struck the board with a glorious Whap!
"Hahaha! Some shot!" Robert ridiculed with some rude gestures as Phil laughed.
"Solid 8!" Phil jeered and Eliza struggled to suppress a giggle as she gave the now partially frustrated Grant a sympathetic smile. He smiled back and then retorted "That's exactly where I wanted it to go!" and the group broke out in laughter at his dramatic and goofy flourishes once again. The tournament continued with Grant having deadly accuracy, with most shots being a bulls-eye. With Robert being close, losing by only 50 points and Phil being absolutely miserable comparatively. After a victorious (and slightly awkward for her) hug between Eliza and Grant and new drinks for their cheers, the group settled down for more discussion.
"So did you guys check out those books I recommended?" Phil said when the conversation had died down in a quieter but still casual tone.
"I didn't get around to them, did you Grant?" Robert shrugged, gazing intensely at Grant. Eliza felt uneasy as she noticed the guys' fidgety movements and slightly roaming eyes. So she stayed quiet as Grant cheerily replied "I have yet to get Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets but I am enjoying The Silver Chair ." He had absolutely no sign of anxiety about him and even looked embarrassed as he turned to Eliza and said with a laugh "Now you know my dirty secret, I am part of a man book club that reads Children's books." The group laughed as Eliza thought Seriously? That's your dirty secret? but took his hand and caressed it with her thumb.
"Waitress!" Grant called and one of the barmaids rushed over, maneuvering expertly in her high heels.
"How may I help you sir?" She asked with a wide smile that was slightly pulled down by exhaustion.
"More ice for these gentlemen's' Gin please." He asked with a cheery grin at his comrades. The waitress took the glasses quickly, but Eliza caught a glimpse of the them, still reasonably full of ice.
After they had finished their Gins Grant checked his watch and sighed before smiling and saying "Well gentleman it's been a pleasure as always but I have a tube to catch soon. See you Saturday." He then tipped his hat to his colleagues as they said their goodbyes and Grant gently grabbed Eliza's wrists and led her out of the pub, his grip loose but still firm.
"Friday?" She asked with what she hoped was a mischievously flirty grin.
"Yes, unfortunately the boys refused to let you tag along in the thrilling world of Chess Tournaments." He grinned and Eliza laughed, her hand now interlocked with his as they walked, swinging their arms lazily as they did so. He stopped abruptly, causing Eliza, who had already stepped forward, to turn abruptly into him. He smiled at her, who was now in his arms, and whispered "I think I'm falling for you Eliza Oak." He then put one strong hand on her face, turning it up towards him while sliding his other hand carefully to her modest upper waist and leaned in. Feeling uncomfortable because of more than his hidden profession Eliza struggled out of his grip "Grant-"
"Dammit Eliza, what does a man have to do to win you over?" He said, his voice slightly raised and his fists clenched tightly as he turned around and stomped like an angry toddler."
Eliza gulped before gently stroking his sleeve with her hand "He has to be patient, to prove he wants me." She said softly, but it did not soothe him and he shook her off with a rough jerk of his shoulder that ran into hers.
Realizing what he had done he immediately whipped around and his muscles relaxed as he loosely grabbed her shoulders, searching her eyes for an apology as he whispered "Eliza I'm so sorry, please forgive me... It's my bloody temper, I'm sure it's just because I've had a few drinks-" Liar, no it's not she thought, reading his expressions as he kept talking " I swear Eliza, it will never happen again." he ended, shaking his head and letting her go.
"Oh Grant, I believe you." she whispered, tentatively placing a quick kiss on his cheek before squeezing his hand and walking away with a smile that instantly vanished as soon as she rounded the corner. She then leaned against the brownstone and placed a hand on her racing heart and thought Good thing I am a better liar than him before slumping down and squeezing her hair out of frustration. What have I gotten myself into? her mind screamed once again as a tear rolled down. Stop it she thought and sniffed in the tears that threatened to well out of eyes. Placing her hands over he nose and mouth she took a deep breath, collecting herself before finding a cab to head home.
I am so sorry this took forever, real life stuff.. blah.
I know (hope) you're dying for more and I promise the next chapter will be up much sooner, I've already started it.
Please Follow and Review, it truly makes it more worth it.
Thanks for reading, Eleora ^.^