A/N: Super massively colossal thank you to covetedoutcomes again for helping me with this chapter. The bout of writer's block that swept over me this week has been the absolute worst but I couldn't abandon this. Thanks again for all the interest in the story. The reviews never fail to make me smile. Also, quick mention to musiksnob for your great tip. I tried to utilize it as best I could. Gah, this note is much longer than need be and this chapter is already a monster. Enjoy!

"Which one? Red or black?" Clare asked, holding up a dress in each hand.

"Hmm, red. That one shows off more cleavage," Alli decided.

Clare rolled her eyes at her best friend who sat in the center of her bed amidst a pile of clothes strewn across the covers after Clare practically gutted her closet. Her dinner with Eli and Adam was quickly approaching which meant that her nerves were making their presence known. She was fine when he had asked her to dinner the day before but now that time was winding down, she could feel the pressure mounting in her chest. Clare knew she was over-thinking matters severely but it couldn't be helped, not when she viewed this as a crucial moment in their friendship.

It not only marked the first time she was meeting his best friend but it was the first time she would be going over to his place. The enormity of that was all Clare could think about. Being in such a private environment seemed daunting to her but she knew she couldn't turn down the offer. She'd seen him at her place of business as well as his own. She'd spent an entire night with him on their non-date. But those instances were different. Now the line that separated professional from personal was soon to be broken once and for all.

Deciding to go with Alli's choice, Clare placed the black dress back into her closet and took out a set of heels she only reserved for that particular dress. She had never been one to go out of her way to get dolled up but she was will to trust in Alli's word on the matter and go along with her judgment. After all, her friend had far more expertise in the fashion world than she did.

"How should I do my hair?" Clare asked, frowning at her reflection as she turned and saw herself in the full length mirror.

"Don't you worry about that. I'm taking over from here," All insisted, hoisting herself from the mountain of clothes.

"That scares me more than it comforts me."

"Oh, hush. You're in good hands, I swear," Alli promised as she grabbed a hold of Clare's hand forced her to take a seat in the vanity bench.

"You say that now but after you're done, I'll probably end up looking like I'm going for a pageant."

"A little bit of makeup never hurt anyone," she said as she went through Clare's cosmetics.

"I don't want it to look like I'm trying too hard. The dress is already a bit much, don't you think?"

"It'll be subtle, I promise. And please! That dress is perfect. He won't be able to take his eyes off you, guaranteed."

Letting out a sigh, Clare closed her eyes briefly as Alli began to set to her work, putting on eyeliner with such precision it felt more like she was a patient on an operating table.

"If there's anyone I can trust, it would be you so fine. I'll hush. I hope he'll like it."

"See? That's all I ask. There's no way he won't appreciate your look. You're gorgeous and that dress is killer."

Clare sat silently as Alli continued, doing her best not to worry too much about how the final product would turn out. Her thoughts now ran away from her, trying to picture what it would be like to be seated with Eli and his closest friend. She figured she was making a bigger deal out of things than need be. After all, Eli had already met Alli though those circumstances were vastly different. It was enough to make her cringe as she reflected on how it must have been for the two meeting on such unconventional terms. But Eli seemed to like Alli well enough, any mention she made of him always received kindly.

From the way he spoke of Adam, Clare got the distinct impression that he was an easy going guy that never took things too seriously. It was a quality she could appreciate, especially when at times she could be a bit neurotic herself. She was looking forward to meeting him and admittedly getting to spend another night with Eli. While she knew nothing would happen, it was more than enough for her to simply get the chance to hang out, to share in his company.

It was almost surreal just how much she had taken a liking to him. Eli was the last thing she was expecting to come into her life but the timing of it made it all the more intriguing to her. It felt as if she'd known him for years rather than a few weeks. The way he was able to break her out of her shell and challenge her was a task she wasn't so sure anyone could have accomplished. When she was with Jake, it had taken her some time to come around and be more adventurous but with Eli, it was almost a compulsion for her, an overwhelming need to want to prove to him as well as to herself that she could tackle any obstacle.

Anytime her mind ran back to the Friday night they'd spent together, Clare couldn't help but smile. He had made good on his mission to make her feel like someone else for the night. While it was short lived, it had done the trick and then some. Getting up on stage in front of a room full of strangers wasn't something she would have ever been able to do on her own. But with Eli right beside her, Clare felt bold and confident, as if she could take on the world if she wanted to.

The influence he had on her was incomparable but Clare was grateful for it, almost greedy now for any moment they were able to speak. Whether it was for a few minutes or something lengthier, Clare was always up to hear what he had to say. She was certain this night would go off without a hitch but as per usual her shyness and worry wart tendencies were taking over.

The greatest relief now was having Alli there with her. More than anything she wished she could drag her along to the dinner but she knew she was being foolish in entertaining the thought. It was hardly anything to get panicked about but if there was one thing Clare was good at, it was over-thinking.

Alli swept blush along her cheeks, Clare's vision of the mirror blocked as Alli angled her away from her reflection. She was nothing if not thorough, ensuring that the surprise wouldn't be revealed until it was time. For someone that had an area of concentration in science, Clare had to wonder how Alli was so well versed when it came to fashion and makeup. It seemed almost like a contradiction of sorts but Alli had an uncanny ability to balance both worlds seamlessly.

"All done," Alli chirped once she was done applying a gloss to Clare's lips. From the way she was beaming, Clare felt a bit more at ease about the end result.

As she tried to peer around her friend, Alli clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth, making a clicking sound.

"Not so fast. I still have to do your hair. Then you will get dressed and finally you can see it all together but not a moment before that," she said resolutely. "And would you stop shaking, Clare? You're going to be fine."

It wasn't until Alli called attention to it that Clare realized just how much her leg was jumping up and down, her hands having a slight tremble to them.

"I'm a mess," she laughed, shaking her head as Alli toyed with her hair a bit, clearly deciding what style to put it in.

"There's nothing to worry about. You're going to look amazing and his friend is going to love you," Alli assured as she began her work, deciding on giving Clare an up do.

Clare remained quiet as Alli worked expertly on her, doing her best to calm her nerves and focus on the present moment. She took comfort in knowing that Eli was going to be right there the whole time. Thinking about him was enough to put her mind at ease, Clare finding that the tension was leaving her body the longer she recalled facets about him. It was silly at best but it did the trick.

Alli took a step back from her and smiled proudly, clapping her hands together twice.

"You're going to love it. But first," she said, grabbing the red dress off the bed. "You have to put this on. I trust you not to peek."

With that, Alli turned to leave, closing the door behind her to leave Clare to get dressed. Honoring the faith her best friend had in her, Clare avoided looking into the mirror as she traded in her comfy pajamas for the sleek dress. It was strange how confident she felt once it was on. Slipping her feet into her heels, Clare ran her hands along the front of her dress, smiling in spite of herself.

"I'm finished," she called out, Alli swinging open the door seconds later.

"Clare…oh my god. You look incredible."

Turning to face the full length mirror, Clare's brows rose up. "You're a miracle worker."

"As much as I would love to take all the credit, you're already pretty. You made my work a total breeze," Alli said as she rummaged through Clare's jewelry to find the perfect items.

"Here, put on these earrings," she said, handing them over.

Clare quickly removed her current set, trading them in for the gold studs Alli decided on.

"Take my bracelet too. It's good luck. I wore the first time Dave and I ever-"

"I beg of you, please don't finish that sentence."

"Get your mind out of the gutter. I was going to say the first time we ever kissed. Maybe it'll work for you too," she said with a wink as she surrendered the bracelet.

"Oops? There's no telling with you two lovebirds. I doubt that will happen but thanks for letting me borrow it. So, am I ready now?"

"We're not that bad," she defended, walking around Clare and stopping next to her as they both looked into the mirror.

"You are. But I wonder if Eli will be."

"Goddamn," Eli muttered under his breath as he stood in front of the kitchen sink, water splashing.

Ever since he'd gotten home from work, it seemed as if he couldn't get his body and brain to work together. His mind was in a different place, focused so intently on the impending dinner with Clare. With his feelings for her now known to his two best friends, he felt on edge, worried that something would come along and ruin the relationship he had been building with Clare over the last few weeks.

He had never been one to care too much about things being perfect, rather adapting a lifestyle full of spontaneity and impromptu planning but when it came to this evening with her, every detail needed to go along without flaw. He wanted Clare to feel comfortable at his place and with his best friend, knowing it would be a new setting for them.

But it seemed that for all his careful planning, things were hellbent on going awry.

"Are you so nervous that you're actually pissing your pants?" Adam laughed as he entered the kitchen, leaning against the entryway with his arms crossed over his chest.

Eli shot him a glare over his shoulder as he turned the faucet off, assessing the damage. He wished that Adam was wrong but as it were, his pants were soaked near his crotch. Gripping the edge of the sink, Eli hunched his shoulders and closed his eyes as he drew in a breath.

"Dude, relax. I was just messing with you. Clare won't be here for a little while. You have plenty of time to change," Adam assured, crossing the kitchen and swinging open the fridge.

Eli remained frozen, collecting himself for another moment before standing upright. He turned to face Adam, leaning against the counter and shaking his head.

"This night is going to be a disaster. Seriously, the food isn't ready yet. Clare will be here any minute. She's never late. Ever. And look at my damn pants," he complained, gesturing to the more than obvious mark against his jeans.

"It won't be a total disaster per se. So she gets here and we have to wait to eat. I'm sure she'd be okay with that. You can change now."

"No. It should have been done already. You can't invite someone over for dinner and not have the meal ready," he said, his tone almost panicked.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Would you just breathe? For at least a second? Man, I almost forgot how worked up you can get over girls."

Eli sighed heavily, brushing his hair from his eyes before looking down at his feet.

"I just want things to be perfect."

"See, that's your problem right there. There's no such thing as perfect. A little bit of madness is a good thing. You of all people should know that," Adam said, twisting open the top on his beer.

"But for Clare? I'd like to at least aim for it. This dinner…it's sort of a big deal to me."

"Really? I had no idea," Adam deadpanned, earning yet another glare from Eli in less than five minutes.

Holding up his hands in mock defense, Adam tried again. "What I'm trying to say is, just take it easy. Clare is a chill girl. And besides, we both know she's only coming over here to meet me," he said, puffing up his chest.

It was enough to relax Eli for now, making him smile in spite of himself.

"You cocky bastard. If anything, you're a consolation prize in case this dinner isn't ready in time."

"Please, I'll have her in stitches. She won't even notice her plate is empty or that you're even in the room."

"Is that so? I'm sure Becky would love to hear all about how you're charming some other girl," he warned jokingly.

"Everyone knows I'm hilarious. It can't be contained. Becks would be just fine, impressed even."

"God, you two make me sick," Eli griped, rolling his eyes as he pushed himself off the counter and moved the kitchen's island.

It was still covered with various ingredients, so much so that it was beginning to give Eli a headache. He let out an audible sigh as he raked his hand through his hair, his face contorting a bit from the thought of the preparations that weren't done. His look of distress clearly didn't escape Adam's noticed as he took a sip of his drink and stood across from Eli.

"Tell you what. You go and take care of your clothes and I'll worry about getting this stuff finished up. I think you're long overdue for a break, man."

Eli tensed for a moment but he knew that Adam was right. With a quick glance at the time he could see that it was only a few minutes before seven, the set time for Clare to arrive.

"Alright, but I'll be right back," Eli promised, holding up a finger before exiting the kitchen.

He went to his room, pushing back the door and moving quickly to his dresser for a replacement pair of pants. No sooner did his hands land on a pair did the doorbell go off. He groaned to himself at the timing of it all, removing his jeans as he heard the door open.

"Oh, hi there," he heard Clare say, clearly taken aback that Adam was the one greeting her.

"The famous Clare Edwards, welcome to our humble abode," Adam said cheerfully.

Eli could only imagine the hand flourish that probably went along with it, his eyes rolling as he slipped into the new set of jeans and pulled up the zipper.

"Famous? Far from it," she said, the door closing. "This is a great apartment."

"That's not the way I hear it. Thanks, we've been here for…two years now? Jeez, stuck with Eli for all that time. Such torture."

Eli could hear Clare laugh but he was too distracted by the first part of Adam's words, knowing he'd better jump in before his friend said anything else incriminating. All he needed was an open floor to seize the moment and slip up as to just how much Eli had taken to talking about Clare. It was true he would gush about her more often than not but the last thing he wanted was for Clare to know that little tidbit.

"Really?" she asked as Eli stepped out of his room and walked down the hall. "I'm sure he's a lovely roommate but then again, you'd know better than me," she teased, playfully nudging Adam's shoulder.

"So this is what you to take to doing when I'm not around, huh?" Eli announced as he arrived by the two.

"Damn, I didn't even get the chance to tell her embarrassing stories. Ah, well. The night's still young. Here, I'll take your jacket, Clare."

"I look forward to hearing each and every one of them," Clare teased, playfully smiling at Eli as she shrugged out of her coat.

Eli smiled back though it flattered, his eyes shamelessly outlining her curves. The dress fit her immaculately, accentuating her figure so perfectly it seemed as if the dress was tailor-made just for her.

When he thought he had been staring too long, his eyes quickly flashed back to her face, noting the way her cheeks turned a light shade of pink before steadily growing re as she worked hard to avert his gaze. He knew he'd been caught but he couldn't find it within himself to regret it. There was no denying the fact that she was beautiful and even that word alone seemed like a gross understatement to him.

She was always gorgeous to him but he could tell that she had done a few things differently like her make up. Her eyes were brighter than usual which Eli didn't know was a task that could be possible. All at once she was taking the breath away from him, everything else around them fading. What felt like minutes or maybe even hours was actually a few seconds in reality, Eli brought back to the present moment by Adam's voice breaking through his reverie.

"Whoa, you look really nice," he complimented her as he took her jacket and hung it up on the coatrack. "Doesn't she look pretty, Eli?"

"I…yeah. She looks great," Eli stammered, shaking his head before looking back at Clare and speaking to her directly. "You look amazing."

He could hear how soft his tone was, his admiration for her coloring his words. But from the shy smile he was able to gain from her, Eli didn't regret his inability to stay indifferent. He was doing a terrible job so early on in the night to keep up the just friends pretense but it wasn't something he really cared to fight now. She was accepting of his compliments, surprising him with one in return.

"I could easily say the same of you. You clean up pretty nicely," she teased, tugging on the vest he wore over his button down.

Now more than ever he was glad for the fact that he took Fiona's word of caution and put some actual effort into what he wore. He was certain that Clare would appreciate him however he happened to dress but they'd both apparently gotten the memo that the night wasn't as casual as they'd originally made it out to be.

"What? No kind words for me? I could easily go put on my Avengers shirt and ditch this look," Adam cut in, as always the comic relief.

"Goodness, I'm sorry. You're pretty dapper yourself, Mr. Torres," Clare giggled, the sound making Eli's heart skip a beat.

"That's more like it. Alright, we can't stand around all day and those shoes of yours look pretty uncomfortable so let's have a seat, yeah?"

Turning on his heels, Adam led the group to the living, Eli ushering for Clare to go before him. It was strange to see her inside of his home but she moved so comfortably, almost as if she'd been there several times in the past or as if she lived there as well. Eli was glad for that fact. If anything it was nice to know that his home was inviting enough to her and that she was relaxed in the company around her.

Adam took a seat on the arm chair, leaving Eli and Clare to sit on the couch. He watched her wordlessly as she smoothed down her dress before sitting, her legs crossed at the ankles. Everything about her was so dainty and smooth, fluid even and it had Eli completely immersed in each move she made.

"So, uh. Dinner's gonna be a little late. Sorry about that," Adam apologized, shooting a weak smile at Clare.

"That's fine, really. I don't mind sitting and talking with you guys. Tell me about yourself, Adam. I hear you're a comic book lover."

At this, Adam's eyes lit up and Eli couldn't suppress the laugh that escaped his lips at this friend's expression.

"Huh, this guy is better than I gave him credit for but yes, I love comics. I'm a graphic designer. I figure I may as well get paid to do what I love. That way it doesn't feel like a job."

"That's the best thing anyone could do for themselves. If it's not something you're passionate about, there's hardly any sense in trapping yourself. Granted, I never set out for my line of work but I don't regret a single second of it."

"Really? What did you want to do before?"

"I always dreamed of working at the Interpreter. But the competition was steep. And then…someone put me on to The Edge before it became so popular and I fell in love."

Adam noted her hesitancy on the person in particular, looking to Eli briefly who mouthed the word "ex". Nodding his head to Clare, he smiled as he knew not to press any further than what she'd given him to work with.

"Aw, neat. I like your column a lot. Every now and then I read the magazine and always end up seeing what issues people are dealing with. But you always have the right things to say."

To this Clare smiled bashfully, running her hand along her swooped bangs. "You and Fiona are seriously too nice, thank you. I try my best to put myself in their shoes and see how things could improve."

"I don't know how you do it. I have a hard enough time decided what to eat in the mornings for breakfast," he laughed.

"Sad but true. The other day he almost had a breakdown over having pancakes or waffles," Eli interjected.

"Hey! That's not funny. I was running late that day. I had to make up my mind quick."

"Dare I ask what you ended up having?" Clare chimed in.

"Good ol' Eggos. Popped them into the toaster and was good to go. Eli laughed the whole time. Lucky him, he practically runs that theatre and can show up when he wants to."

"The perks of being a director, what can I say?" Eli said smugly, sitting back against the couch with a smirk etched into his lips.

Conversation continued on smoothly for over an hour. As he had anticipated, Clare and Adam got along tremendously well, the three of them slipping into such natural talk that it would have been impossible to tell Clare was a recent addition to their lives, especially to Adam whom she was now meeting for the first time. Laughter could be heard all around as they traded embarrassing stories, Eli and Adam filling her in about their antics in high school and post-university. As far as Eli could tell, Clare was enjoying every second of it, hanging onto their every word and encouraging them to share more stories. It was far more than he could ask of the night. Everything was going better than he had hoped, until the distinct smell of smoke began to sweep through the room.

"Um, is something…burning?" Clare asked, her button nose crinkling up.

"Oh shit," the guys said in unison, both jumping up from their seats and racing to the kitchen.

"I completely forgot about this," Eli griped, grabbing a pair of oven mitts and opening the oven door.

Inside rested a now charred dish of baked ziti, the top layer likening more of Cajun style than the Italian dish it was intended to be. He shut off the oven, the smoky odor now made worse that the door was open. Adam hovered nearby, peering inside and out a low whistle.

Removing the dish, Eli put it on the island, staring at it as if the act alone would be enough to salvage the meal.

"Great. Just great," he muttered, yanking off the mitts and tossing them down beside the burned food. "What are we going to do now? We've kept her here for an hour and now we can't even eat."

"Well, we could order something? I could head down and grab Chinese down the block. It's not as good as this might have been but it's not the end of the world."

"It's the only option we have," he sighed, licking his lips.

"I'll get the usual and ask Clare what she wants. You can clean up this lovely mess and everything will be good again."

Rubbing at his jaw, Eli nodded, too upset now with how things had suddenly turned so unexpectedly. He was glad to have Adam there, the guy never failing to be the voice of reason and keep him levelheaded. He knew Adam was right. The evening was going well enough. After all, the main purpose was for Clare and Adam to meet and they seemed to click right off the bat. It was the primary goal and it had been accomplished seamlessly.

Looking now to the dish before him, Eli groaned. It was far too hot to do much with it now. The kitchen could stand to get cleaned up a bit but Eli wasn't much in the mood to do the odds and ends dishes.

The sound of heels hitting against the hardwood made him look up, his eyes landing on Clare just as she appeared in the entryway.

"You lied to me, Goldsworthy," she said, crossing her arms over her chest, her teasing expression hard to miss.

"Care to enlighten me on that one?"

"If memory serves, you said- and I quote- 'I happen to be a decent chef. Dinner will go off without a hitch, I promise.' If that burnt ziti is any indication, I'm thinking you broke your promise."

"In all fairness, this food would have been delicious. If there's one thing I know how to make, it's pasta."

"Really? Because judging by that," she said, point an accusatory index finger, "I'd beg to differ."

Eli smiled at her, his mouth soon twisting a bit bashfully. Only Clare could evoke such an emotion from him, making it so he felt nervous. He hated all the cliché feelings normally but with her, Eli didn't mind how much his heart was racing. It was all so far out of his control as she dared to step into the kitchen and land herself next to him. She was alarmingly close he noted, in such a range that he could smell the light scent of her perfume. It was a vanilla fragrance, one that made his head swim.

Reeling himself back in, he rolled his eyes and nudged her shoulder.

"I blame you for all of this. You just had to come in here and completely floor Adam. Neither of us could stop talking to you. You're quite the distraction."

"Oh, so now it's my fault? You're not a very nice host, Mr. Goldsworthy. He does like me though, right? I mean…I don't know," she mumbled, waving her hand dismissively.

"Yes, it really is. Is that a serious question? Of course he does, Edwards. He liked you well enough before. Now it's just officially official."

Clare beamed at his words, smiling proudly. "Good. I was hoping to get the best friend seal of approval from him."

"I don't think anyone stands a chance against you, Edwards."

Eli cleared his throat awkwardly as his words lingered between them, busying himself with attempting to clear off the island. Adam had gotten a considerable amount done, only leaving out a few items. Putting the final item back, returning the salt to its place in the cupboard, Eli took a seat on the countertop, his eyes trained on her.

They stayed quiet for a moment, Clare watching him curiously but she didn't break the silence either. He couldn't help but admire her now. He'd never seen her with her hair up before, now revealing the smooth skin of her neck. Her lips looked enticing and Eli knew it was dangerous territory he was stepping into by dwelling on that particular feature. But it was impossible with the way she was now biting on her lower lip. He could tell he was making her nervous but she stood her ground, her own crystal eyes taking him in.

"I'm really glad you could make it tonight," Eli said after another second or two.

"Burned ziti and all, I'm having a wonderful time. Thanks for inviting me."

"Next time I make you dinner, I promise- and this time you can hold me to it- I won't make a mess of things and ruin it."

"So there's going to be a next time? Eli, you didn't ruin anything. I actually prefer it this way oddly enough."

"Of course there will be. You're pretty much stuck with me. No take backs on that one. I just wanted it to be perfect."

"You say that as if it's a bad thing. I wouldn't mind these hang outs being more frequent. It has been perfect and the night's not over it."

"Depends on who you ask but I'll admit, it is a relief that you see it this way. Anytime you're free, just let me know. We can keep you hostage a while longer after dinner then."

"How could I not? You underestimate yourself which is a real shame. You might get sick of seeing my face," she laughed. "Hardly. I'm a willing victim."

"I think you give me too much credit. If anyone is selling themselves short here, it's you. As if I could ever grow tired of looking at you."

The words flowed so effortlessly off his tongue it made Clare's eyes widen at the bluntness and how casual it was. Seeing her reaction made him regret his lack of filter. Around her, he was perhaps overly comfortable. She made it so he felt one hundred percent safe within himself but he had to wonder now if he'd crossed a line between them.

Her face soon relaxed, working itself back to her usual calm demeanor.

"I couldn't get sick of seeing you either," she said softly, looking down at her shoes.

He couldn't help but laugh at how soft natured she was. It was in contrast to himself and that was an aspect to her that drew him in with the greatest of ease. He could almost feel the nerves radiating off of her and Eli thought it best to shift gears a bit and change the subject, if only to spare her. There was so much more he could have asked but he knew better. Just knowing that the feelings were mutual was enough for him.

Each time they spoke he was able to uncover more about her. He was growing attached to these hang outs, gaining a new found appreciation for their dinner plans getting wrecked. While he was glad to have Adam meet Clare, a part of him did wish they were alone. He was terribly greedy for her time and attention, he could admit to that but he felt justified in doing so.

Hopping down from the counter, Eli smiled at her before going to the fridge.

"You were right. I am a shitty host. I didn't offer you a drink," he laughed, opening the refrigerator and taking out a beer for himself. "What would you like? We have…water, apple juice, orange juice, soda and of course beer," he called off as he looked inside.

He hadn't heard her approaching him, Clare leaning over beside him and pointing to a bottle of beer.

"I'll have what you're having, Goldsworthy," she said smoothly, turning her face to look at him.

They were much too close but Eli savored every second of it, studying her from this far more personal view. He knew he had to distract himself quickly, the temptation of leaning in far too great. He reached for another beer, handing it to her, the two of them standing up straight and doing an expert job of ignoring the elephant in the room.

At this point he knew for sure he couldn't be the only one feeling the energy around them. It was palpable and hard to miss. It was a precarious situation for them to find themselves in, what with being all alone and in such close quarters but Eli did his best to keep his wits about him. He knew that their chemistry was expanding but he feared that she wouldn't want to do anything about it. After all, they were still very much in the friend zone with one another, their friendship only a few weeks old but it felt like longer- in the best way possible.

He twisted off the cap of his drink, impressed that Clare had done away with hers and was already indulging herself to a sip. He followed suit, leaning against the island as Clare did the same. He glanced at her, spotting how high her cheekbones were as she drank, clearly hiding a smile behind her bottle. He bumped his shoulder against hers, Clare retaliating. He refused to let her go that easy, two going a few more rounds until he poked her ribcage.

"No poking!" she cried, pouting a bit.

While the charade was perhaps one the cutest things he'd ever seen, he couldn't resist and did it again. She set her beer down on the counter and swatted his hand.

"No."

"You're no fun," he teased, aiming once more at her but she dodged him, her arms outstretching towards him and tickling his side.

He tensed a bit, unable to fathom that she was able to find his one weakness. He held back the urge to laugh though it was right on the tip of his tongue and apparent, if her next words were any indication.

"Is the big bad Eli Goldsworthy, dare I say it…ticklish?" she asked, feigning shock as she laughed and continue her attack on him.

"No, no. God, no. I'm not ticklish. I just-," he stopped off, unable to keep from laughing as she tickled him mercilessly.

Grabbing a hold of her wrists, he was able to stop her, his hands coiling around gently but firmly enough to keep her at bay.

"You will tell no one of this, okay? I have a reputation to protect. I don't need word of this getting out. Got it?" he asked, keeping his grasp on her.

"And what would happen if I told everyone I know?" she countered, lifting a brow.

"There would be sheer hell to pay, Miss Edwards. Mark my words."

"I think I'll take my chances on that one."

Eli searched her face as he held onto her still, his eyes taking in hers before descending to her lips. They were right before him. All he had to do was lean forward and ensnare her lips with his for a kiss. She didn't make any attempts to escape his grasp, instead remaining frozen and moving slightly closer. It was marginal but he took notice to it, his body drifting a bit closer to hers. His eyes remained trained on her lips for a moment, watching them part. She wanted this just as much as he did, all traces of doubt leaving him now.

He could feel his heart hammering away in his chest but he refused to let that get to him now. Loosening his hold on her, he set her free as he leaned in a bit more, his senses overrun with her fragrance again. His nose brushed against hers, a small smile spreading across her lips at the contact-

"Bow down to me for I have saved the day. Please, hold your applause."

Adam's voice was more like a shot in the dark, causing Clare to gasp and jump back from Eli. His eyes found hers but her expression was hard to read as she swallowed the lump in her throat. It was if they had been in a trance, the spell now broken with Adam's untimely arrival. Just another second or two and Eli would have been able to kiss her, to feel her lips meshing against his. He felt robbed of that experience now, a sigh leaving him.

"Where are you guys?" Adam called again, poking his head into the kitchen. "Dinner is served."

Clare smiled at him weakly and nodded, reaching to the counter for her drink. Once again, she was close to him but it was short lived as she pulled back and headed for the doorway. She stopped short of leaving, looking to Eli.

"We should um, get some food."

"Right, yeah," he said, grabbing his beer and following after her.

"I had a wonderful time. It was so nice meeting you, Adam," Clare said as the trio stood by the door.

"It was awesome meeting you, too. You should drop by some time soon, yeah? We won't burn anything but the Chinese was pretty good though."

Clare laughed as she put on her jacket, brushing back her bangs.

"I can officially file this under 'Night I'll Never Forget.' I'd definitely come over again one day."

Eli looked at her then and met her gaze, the two sharing a brief silent exchange. He hated the fact that he couldn't tell what she was thinking. The entire dinner she stayed wrapped up in conversation with Adam, Eli only adding his input when spoken to directly. It suited him just fine, what with his thoughts so preoccupied. He wanted to know how she felt about the almost kiss, if she would even want to follow through another time or pretend it didn't happen. But with her confirming she'd visit in the near future, Eli was at a complete loss.

"I can't wait for that, seriously. You're welcomed here anytime, right, Eli?"

"Of course," he said simply, Clare nodding curtly.

"Well, it's late. I should probably get a move on but again, thanks so much for having me. Goodnight, guys."

Adam got the door for her, waving as she crossed the threshold and left. He turned back to face Eli who wore a stoic expression as he leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets.

"Dude, what happened to you? What's going on?"

"We almost kissed. And that should be great but it's not because I have no idea what this means for us. Things are different now. I can feel it."