"Just Once"

Regina Mills prided herself on her accomplishments. She had graduated valedictorian from high school and had been Student Body President as well as a member of the homecoming court. She had won numerous awards at riding competitions throughout her life and still was hailed as an excellent horsewoman. She had made dean's list every semester at her prestigious university, graduating magna cum laude, with an MBA. After graduation, she was hired at a well-respected, successful corporation and had risen in ranks in a short time to be its youngest CEO. She wined and dined many powerful players in business, politics and even entertainment. People knew her name...even if the press dubbed her the "Evil Queen" for her ruthless business dealings. It just came with the territory. She let it roll off her back.

Yet the one person who could bring her down and shatter her confidence was still her mother. Cora Mills demanded perfection from her only child and only focused on where Regina had failed. Yes, Regina had been valedictorian but her final grade in English should've been two points higher. Regina had failed to win homecoming queen and that's all Cora saw. Many of her failures, according to Cora, then boiled down to the same thing: she still didn't have a man. No man wanted a woman who competed rather than just sat on a horse and looked pretty. Men didn't want a woman in a power suit who orchestrated corporate takeovers. They wanted a woman who could make them feel powerful, who could stroke their ego, cook their food and warm their bed. That was the reason Regina was perpetually single, as far as Cora was concerned.

"You should give Leopold a call, darling. He still asks for you. Go out to dinner and maybe you'll realize that you've done everything in the board room. Now it's time to focus on hearth and home," Cora said during her weekly call to remind Regina that she wasn't doing what Cora wanted.

Regina rolled her eyes. "Mother, Leopold is almost Daddy's age. His daughter and I are only a few years apart, for goodness' sake."

"But he's very well off. You wouldn't have to work."

"I like working."

Cora continued as if she hadn't heard Regina, one of her favorite tactics. "Leopold will be at my birthday party this weekend, as well everyone who is everyone in this small town. You two can...talk...while you're there."

"Mother, I can't." She then blurted out the one thing that would change her life: "I already have a date for your birthday."

There was silence on the other end of the line as Cora processed this. "Oh. Is it someone I know?"

"No, no. He's someone I met here in New York. I'll introduce you at the party." Regina took a deep breath and rushed her mother off the phone before Cora could pepper her with questions. She tossed her phone onto the couch and groaned. Where was she going to find a date at the last minute?

Fate helped her the next day. Regina hurried from her brownstone, digging through her purse for her phone. She collided with someone, bouncing off them. "Watch where you're going!" she snapped.

"You were the one who was distracted, Ms. Mills. Maybe you should take your own advice," a British-accented voice shot back.

Regina bit back a groan. Of all the people to bump into, why did it have to be Robin, her insufferable neighbor? They had been bickering since he moved in six months ago about everything, from how loud he played his music to how he believed her little garden crept onto his property. She frowned. "Whatever you say. Just stay out of my way, Mr. Locksley."

"As her Majesty commands." He gave her a bow in a mocking manner.

She stormed off toward the car waiting to take her to work. As the driver pulled away, she did her best not look back at Robin.

By the time she returned, Regina was tired. And not just from a full day of work. She had spent most of the morning calling every man she knew but they were all busy the day of her mother's birthday. Graham, an old friend of hers from school, had tried to rearrange his schedule but it was not to be. Regina had even tried to reach her ex-boyfriend, Sidney Glass. He didn't pick up, not that she was expecting him to. But he had been her last hope. She was faced with the very possible scenario of having to eat crow in front of her mother and her friends. It made her stomach turn.

Regina climbed out of the car, thanking her faithful driver, and paused. Sitting on his stoop with an open bottle of beer and the New York Times was Robin Locksley, the last person she wanted to see. She took a deep breath, collected her mail and hurried down her walk, hoping he wouldn't say anything to her.

"Early night, Ms. Mills?" He didn't even look up from his paper.

She sighed, debating just ignoring him and going inside. Of course, she chose not to do that. "Are you stalking me, Mr. Locksley?"

"No. Just being neighborly."

"By keeping tabs of my comings and goings? Why?"

"So I can watch your house and make sure no one breaks in." He folded the paper and looked at her.

She scowled. "I have an alarm system."

"I know. But aren't neighbors supposed to look out for each other?"

Regina sighed, ready to go inside when his words stopped her. She turned, smiling. "You want to look out for me? What are you doing on Saturday?"

"Nothing." He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"My mother is having a birthday party..."

"And you need a date."

"Just once," Regina said.

Robin smiled. "Fine. On one condition. I run a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged youth in the inner city."

"Name your price and I'll donate it," Regina said.

He shook his head. "Oh, no. I want you to actually volunteer with us once. Seeing a successful CEO like you will inspire the children."

"Fine. Just be ready by noon on Saturday. We have to drive to Connecticut." Regina opened the door at last and slid inside. What had she just gotten herself into?

Regina drove on Saturday as Robin sat in her passenger seat, dressed in a neat suit and tie. She had to admit-to herself, never out loud-that she was impressed when he asked her on Friday what she was wearing so he could coordinate appropriately. He wore a navy suit that matched her navy dress. It was something her mother would be sure to notice.

After the first half hour passed in silence, Robin turned his attention from the outside and to her. "So, should we talk? I'd like to go in knowing a little about you that doesn't come from magazine profiles."

"Fine," she sighed. "What do you want to know?"

They spent the next hour exchanged information that they felt was needed to at least pretend that Regina hadn't asked him as a last resort. She learned he had an ex-wife ("An amicable divorce. We're better friends than lovers," he said) and a young son who visited every other weekend. Regina frowned, not sure why she had never seen the boy before. Maybe Robin was on to something about watching one's neighbors.

Regina told him a bit about her childhood and family. Her father, Henry, had died a few years ago from a heart attack. Her mother had been a secretary until she had snagged the son of a family of "old money." Cora then prided herself on being the best in the room, most likely to overcompensate for her humble beginnings. "Don't expect to impress her. No one does," Regina warned him.

"Except you, I'm sure," he added. She didn't respond.

She pulled into the driveway of the mansion she had grown up in. She unbuckled her seatbelt and checked her hair in the rearview mirror. "We're early. Come on, I'll go introduce you to my mother."

Robin stepped out of the car, putting his suit jacket on and taking his sunglasses off before following Regina into the house. She called out: "Hello? Is anyone here?"

"Regina? Is that you?" A friendly female voice called out.

She smiled. "Yes, Granny. Where are you?"

"In your father's study, dear. Come on in."

Regina turned to Robin. "Granny's been our housekeeper since I was a baby. She's almost like a grandmother to me."

"Hence the name?"

"No, she makes everyone call her that. I'm not entirely sure why." Regina led him into her father's study, which Granny had managed to preserve as it was before he had died. Cora had wanted to through everything away but Granny "lost" the key and so Cora had decided it was not worth getting it replaced.

"Regina! Good to see you." Granny engulfed her in a hug. She then pointed at Robin, who looked about the room, especially the wall Henry Mills had devoted to his daughter's achievements. "Who is this?"

"This is my neighbor, Robin Locksley. He's my date for today." Regina had never been able to lie to Granny.

Granny looked him over. "You're a lucky man. If just for today."

"Thank you, ma'am," he replied.

"So polite too." Granny checked her watch. "Excuse me. There are few more things I need to do to prepare for the party. I'll see you later, dear."

Once they were alone, Robin cleared his throat. "You are more accomplished than I thought. All those prizes as an equestrian..."

"I like horseback riding. It's relaxing," Regina said. She bit her lip before saying: "I still have a horse. Maybe I can talk to the owner of the stables where I keep him and we can arrange for your kids to come down. Learn about caring for horses, maybe ride one for a bit."

Robin's eyes lit up. "They would love that. Thank you, Regina."

"Regina? Are you here?" Cora's voice echoed down the hall.

Regina grabbed Robin's arm. "We need to get out of here. Now."

She pulled him out of the room, locking the door behind her before continuing down the hall. They found Cora waiting in the kitchens, where she was overseeing Granny. Cora turned and frowned. "Is this your date, Regina?"

"Yes. This is Robin Locksley." Regina held her breath as Cora looked Robin over.

When she finished her survey, Cora looked at Regina. "You couldn't find a date that owns a razor? Look at that scruff!"

Regina sighed as Robin rubbed his chin. "It's quite fashionable now, Mrs. Mills. A lot of people have scruff."

Cora hummed in response, glaring at him. She snapped her fingers. "Come, you two. The guests will have started arriving."

Looping her arm through Robin's, Regina mouthed "I'm sorry" as they followed Cora outside. She prayed Cora didn't send Robin running off, screaming.

Robin proved to be an excellent choice to bring. He was personable, charming and able to carry conversations with nearly everyone attending the party. He also wasn't afraid to let her shine and seemed to encourage conversations about topics he seemed to guess were special to her, like the one she had about horses with Dr. Archie Hopper, who was interested in purchasing one.

"Ahh, Regina! Lovely to see you again, dearie." Mr. Gold, her mother's longest acquaintance, approached her. He leaned heavily on both his cane and his new wife, Belle.

Regina smiled. "It's good to see you two again as well. I hope you had a great honeymoon."

"We did. And thank you for letting us use your villa. It was more than generous," Belle said.

Regina waved her off. "It was a wedding present."

"And who is your date, dearie?" Gold pointed his cane at Robin.

Robin held out his hand. "Robin Locksley. Pleased to meet you."

As Gold shook Robin's hand, he studied the man. "Locksley, you say? Not Lord Robin Locksley, the young British noble who was caught a few years back stealing from the Earl of Nottingham?"

Regina's eyes widened as she looked at Robin, but he remained calm. "Yes, that would be me. It was a stupid decision made by a rebellious young man. I accepted my punishment and I'm working to be a better man."

"Of course," Gold replied.

She was still processing everything she had just learned. On the car ride up, Robin had neglected to tell her two very important things about himself. Not only was she on a date with a noble, she was on a date with a thief. Regina could only pray Cora focused more on the former rather than the latter.

"Regina! I need to have a word with you." Cora emerged from the crowd, frowning. Regina knew she had learned about Robin's true identity. She excused herself and headed over to her mother.

Cora crossed her arms. "You brought a thief to my party?"

"It was a long time ago, Mother. He accepted responsiblity and is moving on. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?" Regina said.

Cora shook her head. "Oh, Regina. Just when I think you couldn't embarrass me anymore, you go ahead and prove me wrong. Can you not be an embarrassment for once?"

Regina hung her head as an angry "Excuse me?" came from behind her.

The two turned to find Robin standing there, glaring at Cora. "I fail to see how Regina is in any way a disappointed to you. From what I've seen and heard-just from your friends alone-you have plenty to be proud about. My God, she's one of the youngest CEOs in the country-maybe even the world. If you can only use an antiquated belief that women need to be married and have children to gauge your daughter's success, then I feel sorry for you. Because you will never then see how amazing a woman Regina really is. And that's your loss."

Cora stalked up to Robin, slapping him. "Get off my property. Now!"

Robin turned to Regina. "Don't worry. I'll find my own way home."

As he walked away, Regina made her decision. She started to follow him until her mother's voice stopped her. "Regina, do not go after him. If you do, then I am finished with you."

"No, Mother," Regina said as she turned to face Cora. "I am finished with you. Goodbye."

She held her head as she walked away, noticing more than one adoring look. Gold and Belle smiled, nodding at her as she past them. With every step she took, Regina felt like a weight was lifted from her shoulders.

Regina found Robin standing in the front of the house, cell phone in hand. He looked up as she approached, frowning. "You didn't have to follow me. I'm perfectly capable of..."

She grabbed his jacket and pulled him in, her lips crashing onto his. After a few seconds, he responded and cupped her head in his hand. She pulled away. "No one's ever stood up to my mother before."

"I can tell." He rubbed his cheek. "But it was worth it. I wasn't going to let her badmouth you, even if this is her party.

"And, I'd like to apologize. I had made up my mind about you from just magazine profiles and news pieces. And not necessarily the positive ones. I should've known better."

Regina shook her head. "Don't worry. I didn't do much to dispel that image as your neighbor, did I?"

"No, not exactly."

She nodded. "Besides, I made judgments about you without bothering to talk to you. There's still so much I want to know."

"I feel the same about you." He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. "Now what?"

"How about we get out of here? I know a good restaurant not far from here. I say we deserve a nice dinner." She took his hand and led him back to her car.

As they drove away, Regina glanced at Robin. He had tossed his jacket and tie into her back seat and undid two buttons on his shirt. Robin met her eyes, smiling. Warmth spread throughout her as she realized this was not something that would happen just once.