Dating Games
Summary: After learning of Stephen Huntley's betrayal, Donna loses her confidence when it comes to men and decides to give to speed dating a try.
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Donna's pleading voice stalls Harvey's at the threshold of the kitchen, his hands falling awkwardly into his pockets when his secretary's request is turned down by Rachel's apologetic tone.
"I'm sorry, Donna. Any other night and I would be there for support. You understand, right?"
Donna nods, forcing a smile. Just because her love life has stalled doesn't mean she's a cynic. Only that she forgot Mike and Rachel are celebrating their anniversary tonight. "You have Mike. It was a stupid thing to suggest."
Rachel bites the inside of her lip, guilt making her reconsider. It isn't like Donna to slip up and forget dates, even the insignificant monthly ones that bear no relation to her personally. But since the truth came out about Stephen Huntley, Donna's been subtlety more reserved. She doesn't want to bail on what she thinks may be the woman finally reaching out. "You know what? Mike will understand. I'll come."
"Don't be ridiculous." Donna picks up the sugar packet Rachel eyed, but didn't add to her coffee, tearing it open and pouring it into the paralegal's cup. "Just promise me you'll have everything on the menu, and tell me all about it tomorrow."
"Only if you go without me. Then we can both discuss the menus over lunch."
Rachel smirks and a genuine laugh bubbles in from Donna's. "Fine."
Over Donna's shoulder, Rachel suddenly catches Harvey in the doorway, and her cheeks flush. "I'll leave you to it."
Confused, Donna turns and meets Harvey's sheepish gaze.
Rachel dashes past him, and he clears his throat. "So… speed dating, huh? That's why you wanted to take off early."
Embarrassment warms her face, but she doesn't feel any shame. She's single, works sixteen-hour days, and her dalliance in office affairs didn't exactly go as planned last time. "If you heard that, then you've been standing there long enough to be eavesdropping."
"I was surprised, that's all. It's not like you need any help finding a date."
She lifts an eyebrow, and he shrugs casually.
"Come on, I saw the courier hitting on you this morning. Don't tell me I'm wrong."
Amazed he noticed, she ducks her head. Although she knows everything that happens in his office, she didn't think he paid the same amount of attention to her cubicle. But the point is neither here nor there. It's not a lack of interest she's worried about, it's interest from diabolical men she'd like to avoid. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to vet people before agreeing to a date. It saves time."
She turns to pour her coffee, hating how hollow the justification feels. It's a valid reason, just not hers. And she winces when Harvey's feet approach from behind, his broad chest invading her space.
Hands still jammed in his pockets, he lowers his voice, not wanting to advertise his suspicion. "This is about Stephen." She takes a sip of coffee, her silence confirming his guess. All he wants to do is forget the asshole ever existed, but he knows it's different for her. He doesn't pretend to understand how, but he softens his expression. "I told you, Donna…. you couldn't have known what he was capable of."
Placing her cup down, she rests her palms against the counter with a sigh. "You did. Your instincts about him were right, and I couldn't see that. What happens if the next guy I date turns out to be another Ted Bundy?
"Don't say that." He slips a hand out, brushing her elbow as he moves beside her.
When her watery gaze lifts to meet his, a selfish part of him is relieved she's upset about her misjudgment, not losing whatever connection she had with Stephen. And if it's confidence she's lacking, he can fix that. Even if it means coming clean about why the relationship bothered him so much. "I didn't dislike him because I thought he was trouble, Donna. I felt threatened because he swanned in operating just like me. Any attention you gave him was personal. If he'd turned out to be a Saint, I still would have hated the guy."
Her eyes widen curiously, and he clears his throat, keeping on track.
"My point is, it wasn't instinct that threw up a red flag, it was pettiness. And if hadn't been acting childishly, maybe we both would have seen who he really was. So, if you need to be reminded that you know people better than they know themselves, then I think Rachel's right. You should go tonight."
He drops his arm with a small smile and she's left speechless for a moment, surprised by his rare use of words. He actually almost apologized, and she seeks out her mug as she collects herself.
"Thank you, Harvey. I know you didn't say that just to butter me up." Her gratitude slips into a smirk. "What is it you need?"
His mouth hangs open slightly. Truth is, he forgot she was leaving early. He came down to ask if she'd stay back and help him with some paperwork, his intent to check in and see how she's been doing. Now he's heard she's ready to put Stephen behind her he has his answer. "Nothing. We ran out of sugar upstairs."
He reaches over to grab a few packets, and she leans against the counter, furrowing her brow when he leaves without another word.
The problem with his excuse is he doesn't take sugar in his coffee. He also never admits to behaving immaturely. Maybe she really is losing her touch, because she's completely confused. Either that or she bumped her head somehow, and the past few weeks have been some sort of augmented-reality, dream-like state.
Which would actually make a lot more sense.
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After deciding to attend the dating event alone, Donna is beaming by the end of the night, chatting happily with date number six when the buzzer sounds.
Thanking him, she picks up her cocktail, ready to enter the last booth of the evening.
Rachel and Harvey were right. Although she hasn't penned any matches on her card, she's been able to profile every guy, having them confirm her assessment with either shocked confusion or flirtatious intrigue.
She's in her element again, which is why when she bounces into the space with her final possible match, her face doesn't immediately show irritation when she's greeted by someone she already knows everything about.
"Harvey Specter."
His smug grin oozes charm as he extends his hand, but she reaches for her drink instead, draining its contents. When she places it down again, she assumes he's either checking up on her or needs something, and she rolls her eyes.
"What are you doing here, Harvey? Aside from robbing the owner of this table the best date he'll ever have?"
He smirks, slipping his hand inside his jacket and pulling out the ticket he purchased. "Actually, I'm still hoping he'll get it."
His name is printed in bold on the stub, meaning he's been here all night, and she glances around, huffing a chuckle. "I was right. I must be in a coma or something."
He frowns, not sure what she's talking about, but he guarantees her he isn't a hallucination. "Rachel gave me the details."
"Why?"
"Because I asked her for them."
The spark in her gaze withers completely, and he regrets being the cause. Judging by the smile that first greeted him, she's obviously had a great time. Surprisingly, he has as well. The company was enjoyable, and he had fun turning on the charm. But the harmless flirting reaffirmed he doesn't want the bachelor lifestyle anymore. Ever since she broke up with Stephen, his relief has been rolling into something stronger, something he's finally ready to access.
Suddenly, and uncharacteristically nervous, he glances at his whisky. But Donna takes the drink, downing it first. And he can't say he blames her. When he tries to communicate his feelings, it doesn't always go well. But he's determined to make this conversation the exception. "The thought of you dating one person bothered me. The thought of you dating seven in one night, well, that's why I'm here."
Her heart kicks her ribcage, the jolt so profound she knows she can't possibly be dreaming, but she still doesn't understand what he means. "I don't get it. What are you saying?"
Picking up his pencil for the first time, he ticks her number on the checklist, turning the paper around and sliding it across the table. "I'm asking if you'll match with me so I can get your email and ask you out on a real date."
His boyish grin returns in full swing, and she shouldn't have inhaled his drink, because a dizzy cloud of disbelief hampers a witty comeback. "You're serious?"
He nods, and she breathes in sharply at the conviction in his unwavering gaze. She knew he was bothered by Stephen, but she failed to realize his attentiveness since they broke up was a transition, and she bites the inside of her cheek as she gazes down, reaching for her pencil and deliberately hovering over all her choices.
"Donna."
With a beaming smile, she scrunches up the piece of paper. "If you don't know my email by now, you're going to have to do a lot better than dinner at Del Posto."
"How about my place with pizza and those yellow tomatoes that you like?"
"Dessert?"
He leans forward on his elbows, lowering his voice. "If you don't know strawberries and whipped cream are my favorite, then it's time for a reminder."
Her face flushes as nods toward the exit, extending his hand across the table, and she takes it, the warmth of his grip putting a new spring in her step as they slip out of the booth. With a tug, she collides against his chest, her eyes glimmering with humor as the buzzer sounds. "We're going to give all these people unreal expectations."
He smiles, disagreeing. "I wanted to take you home the night we met. All we're doing is showing them that love at first sight is the real deal."
Stunned by his admission, she teases him cautiously. "Love?"
He nods, grinning. "Yeah?" He swoops his head down, capturing her lips in a kiss that he hopes will show everyone that he's through wasting time, and if anyone here feels a connection, they should take the leap.
Because Donna is the best thing that's ever happened to him, and now he finally knows it.