Eddie wouldn't tell her what he was up to. He opened the passenger door of the "grandma-mobile" and banged on the hood for her to follow. A couple stared, so he waved, scaring them off. Whatever it was, he was animated about it, and Rosie was moving too slow. He grabbed her hand as she locked the car and dragged her into the mall. Eddie hated malls. Couldn't stand shopping. Not that Rosie was much of a fan either, but any time she brought him to places like this he just loitered around looking miserable.

Not today. Steering her by the shoulders, he shushed any questions and led her back and forth, up and down escalators, eyes sweeping the storefronts with purpose.

"In here."

Rosie tried to dig her heels in. "What's going on?"

"Pick something."

"What?"

"You heard me. I want to take you out. Choose."

"...I have dresses."

"A nice one."

She stuck her hands on her hips. "My dresses aren't nice?"

He blanched, hearing himself. "No, no no! Not what I meant!"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I want to buy you a nice one. A new one. To go out in."

"Oh." Rosie softened. Bobbed eagerly. "Okay...what's my budget?"

An assistant drifted close. He saw her out the corner of his eye. "Just...pick something. You can try a few on. I'll take care of it."

Rosie ambled about, examining her choices. Touching skirts and fingering details. Eddie made her select three, with the assistant watching over his shoulder. He turned suddenly and handed them to her. The assistant took a quick step back.

"Could you please help her with these?"

In the safety of the changing room, Rosie could get a better look at the price tags. They weren't shockingly expensive. More middle of the range. She breathed a sigh of relief, and more willingly tried them on. The three were pretty different, so she really did need the assistant's feedback. Eddie wasn't much help in that regard; he just said she was beautiful each time she stepped out.

"No, really." Rosie pressed. "Does the green wash me out?"

The woman held the garment back up to her. "A bit, darlin'. You could probably fix it with some makeup."

"I like the front." Eddie put in. Of course he did. It barely held her boobs in.

"The lavender's a definite no."

"No." Rosie agreed. She didn't like the way it bunched around her stomach.

"It's cute, though." It was short, he meant.

"I really think this one is it. With your coloring."

The last one was her favorite too, not fussy, but not too plain. She liked the off-shoulder cut, and it came in at the waist nicely. She stared at Eddie. He sat up.

"The pink one?"

The lady held it into the light. "More like a dusty rose."

That amused him. "Perfect."

They found shoes elsewhere; simple, affordable ones. Rosie absolutely refused to let him go bankrupt. Eddie stopped her for a kiss as they went round in another lap, chuckling at the middle-schoolers that gagged audibly nearby. The youngsters definitely didn't like it when Rosie pinched his little butt, and actually ran away.

"Do you need to shower?"

Rosie paused in hanging up her new dress. "No?"

"Perfect. Get changed."

"Huh?"

Eddie was already pulling off his sweater. "Dinner's at 7pm."

She blinked. "Today?"

"Today."

"You made a reservation?"

"That's right. Get your little hiney in gear."

Rosie grinned. He'd really been serious about taking her out. She changed, feeling that warm gaze on her back the whole time. Even when she sat down to do her makeup. She made sure to put his lipstick on - the same as the one he'd pilfered for her - and the perfume. It never took her long, really. He was still getting his shit together when she tiptoed over.

"Is this new?"

"Yeah. Wayne bought it for me."

"Nice." She beamed into the mirror he was currently fussing in. "Look at you!"

Eddie blushed, hands trying to straighten the shirt. Another black one, but it was clearly a higher quality than his usual. A black tie hung limply from his neck. "I-I don't usually wear these..."

"Here." He ducked toward her so Rosie could knot it. She patted his chest fondly when he straightened. "Look at youuu!"

She didn't think it was possible for him to turn redder, but he did. Rosie followed his hands to his waist. "Is it okay without the belt?"

She picked it up and looped it around him. "This is better."

"The buckle isn't too...weird?"

Rosie pinched his chin. "It's you."

"My point, exactly."

"No." She held him at arm's length to inspect. The boots and jeans went well with it. She gasped, thrilled, at the next layer. "Is that a jacket?"

Maroon. He was actually maroon. "Yes."

"Where are we going?"

"Don't get too excited."

"Too late."

Once they were ready, Rosie picked up her camera and bullied Gabrielle into taking a handful of photos. Her roommate wouldn't share her compliments, but Eddie just looked so good dressed up. He wasn't completely comfortable, but the more she gushed over him the more she saw him ease into his role. He held her hand in the back of the cab, remembered to open the door and help her out, then guided her by the waist into the restaurant.

If his confidence wavered at the maitre d's long look, Eddie didn't let it show. He grinned down at Rosie as they were led to their table, and kissed her cheek before she sat. The facade only slipped a little when he was asked about wines.

"Do you have a list?"

"Here, Sir."

"Thanks..." His hands shook as he held the card, scanning the French names with widening eyes. Rosie tried to catch his gaze. She was no expert, but she could help.

The waiter coughed pointedly. "Perhaps you would like to taste our house wines?"

"Good idea. Thank you."

Rosie patted his hand. The waiter bustled off and reemerged with two bottles and two glasses, pouring a mouthful into each. By the expression he gave, she could tell Eddie thought they both tasted like wine.

"Could I try?"

Both glasses were thoroughly wiped before they were handed to her.

"Your choice, Babe."

"I like the red."

"I also like the red." Eddie grinned. Relieved. "We'll take a bottle."

Her eyes widened. A bottle?

Don't worry. He mouthed back.

She was glad he didn't try to play the gentleman too much while ordering. Eddie actually deferred a lot of it to her, brazenly telling the waiter that she was the "chef". Rosie almost broke out in a sweat, but he assured her he would like whatever she ordered.

That assurance faltered, however, at the sight of scallops. Declined even further when he looked at the cutlery placed in front of him. She tapped the outermost knife and fork. He followed suit and picked them up, copying the way she cut and took some of the sauce. Chewing carefully, he frowned, let out a little "Hm!" then went in for more.

Eddie was a lot more sure about the steak. Though he struggled to figure out what the mash next to it was. "It's sweet?"

"Carrot and parsnip." Rosie concluded. "You don't like it?"

"I thought it was orange potatoes." He had another try. "Okay. Not bad. What's a partnip?"

"Parsnip." She giggled. "Like a white carrot?"

Eddie considered this. "Did I eat one before?"

"I probably put it in something."

"Thought it was just a carrot."

"You need to learn more foods."

"I grew up in a trailer park, Sweetheart." He quipped. "Not much room for variety growing up."

"Fair." She had wanted to ask for a long time: "Have you ever even been outside the states?"

"We drove up to Canada once. Mexico."

"Do you have a passport?"

"Not a valid one." Forgetting table manners, he jabbed a fork at her. "You're rich. What about you?"

"I'm not rich!"

"Please. Ranches, private schools, fancy food. I bet you've been all over."

"We like to travel." She gave in. "Maybe...30 countries?"

"Thirty!"

Rosie shushed him, laughing at the maitre d's head snapping up from his ledger. "My parents wanted to make sure we expanded our horizons."

"I can't even name thirty countries!"

She let him finish his entrée. They shared a crème brulee for dessert. Eddie caught her eye as she licked the spoon in a very unladylike way.

He scrunched his face. "What?"

"You know. If you played your cards right, we might take you on the next one."

"Next what?"

"Trip."

"Europe?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Do I have to be on good behavior at the wedding?"

"Your best."

"Forget it! Just shove me in a suitcase and toss me in the hold."