Part Five: Trust Me

"C'mon, Nick, just a hint?" Sara knew she was starting to whine, but not knowing where Nick planned to take her that night was driving her up the wall.

"Nope." He sounded entirely too smug for her liking. "I told you, it's a surprise."

"I don't like surprises," she grumbled into the phone, absently playing with his ring. "They never turn out well"

"This one will, I promise."

"Not even a single hint?"

She could hear his grin, and it was starting to irritate her. "I gave you all the hints you'd need. Dress up. Be hungry. Relax. It'll all be fine."

"Says you." She felt herself starting to smile. "Okay, fine, no more pestering. I give up."

"Good. Trust me, Sara. Have I ever intentionally hurt you?"

"No," she admitted softly. "You never have, Nick."

"See? Now I have a question for you. What color dress are you wearing tonight?"

Sara frowned. "Nick, if this is your attempt at phone sex…."

His laughter was warm and rich over the phone lines, warming her to her toes. "No, it's a perfectly innocent question, Sar." His voice deepened, sending a thrill down her spine. "You'll know when I'm not being innocent."

She swallowed a few times before replying. "Red. My dress is red."

"I like you in red."

Now it was her turn to smirk. "I know."

"I'll see you at seven, Sara."

-#-

By six-thirty, Sara was dressed, ready, and pacing around her small living room. Her dress, a red halter with a v neckline, low back, and a full, knee-length skirt, swirled around her every time she turned around. Her heels, strappy red sandals that made her feel her feet were pretty, clicked on the floor in tempo with the thoughts clicking in her brain. As she paced, her right hand kept reaching up to play with the ring, still on its chain around her neck, and her left hand stayed close to her stomach, trying to calm the nervous butterflies.

Six-forty-five. Six-fifty. Six-fifty-five. Just as Sara was thinking about double-checking her makeup, the clock ticked over to seven and her doorbell rang. Taking a deep breath, hoping the butterflies would settle, she unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door.

What she saw took her breath away. Nick was in a dark charcoal suit, with a slightly darker shirt and a red tie almost the exact hue of her dress. "Wow. You look…wow," she managed.

"So do you." Nick's eyes traveled from top to toes and back again, lingering on her eyes. He produced a small plastic box from behind his back. "This is for you." He opened the box, revealing a small cluster of red baby roses and glittery baby's breath, ringed with deep green leaves. "May I?"

She just nodded, confused, until he took her left hand and slid the corsage onto her wrist. "Oh! I see…why?"

He chuckled. "You'll see. You're ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, seeing as I don't know what I'm supposed to be ready for." She couldn't help smiling as she admired the corsage.

"You're perfect." He offered his left arm, and she linked her right arm through it. The material of his jacket was soft and smooth against her bare arm. He led her down the stairs, where she started to look for his Denali.

"Uh, Nick?"

"This way." He gently turned her to the left. "I upgraded for tonight."

Sara's eyes widened. "Oh, no, Nick…you didn't." The only vehicle she didn't recognize at the curb was a black stretch limo.

"I did."

"No, that's too expensive…not for a night."

"Trust me, Sara." He turned her to meet his eyes again. "For a night, I can afford this. It's not as expensive as everyone thinks." He gently kissed her, careful not to smudge her lipstick. "Tonight, we ride in style."

Still unsure, she let him lead her to the car, the chauffer silently opening the door for them, closing it after they were in. As the limo smoothly pulled away from the curb, she turned to Nick again. "Now will you tell me where we're going?"

He just grinned, reaching for her hand, playing with her fingers. "Okay…at least part of it. First, we're going to dinner."

"Dinner." She studied his face, trying to find a clue in his eyes, his smile. "First?"

"First," he confirmed.

"Then what?"

"After dinner."

She almost wanted to smack that secretive little grin off his face. Almost. But then his fingers found a sensitive spot on her wrist, and she decided that bodily harm could wait until later. "Okay, then. Dinner."

-#-

To her surprise, the limo stopped outside a restaurant Sara had been dying to try, but wasn't sure she could afford. It specialized in gourmet vegetarian fare, and one of the vegan detectives she knew had raved about it. She shot a glance over at Nick. "Nick, are you sure…?"

"No questions tonight, Sara. Just relax. Trust me," he repeated, her hand still linked with his.

Trust him. I can do that. She took a deep breath, exhaled, and met his warm, wonderful eyes again. I can do that. A smile blossomed across her face. "Okay. Just remember you told me to be hungry."

They were seated quickly, at a small, secluded table. Candlelight bathed the table in warm, soft light. Sara tried to study the menu, but delicious as everything sounded, she couldn't help thinking that Nick looked much tastier. The third time she caught herself thinking about biting his lower lip, she bit her own lip and focused on the menu with renewed interest.

After dinner, when Nick led her back to the limo, his hand on the small of her back, just below where the fabric started again, she didn't think she could remember what she'd just eaten. It tasted wonderful, but the man across from her kept most of her attention.

"So, now what?" she asked as the limo pulled away from the restaurant.

"You'll see when we get there," he replied, the secretive grin back on his face. "Good surprise so far?"

"Surprising, at least." She let herself match his grin. "Yes, it's been wonderful. How did you know I wanted to try that restaurant?"

"Heard you talking about it a couple weeks ago." His thumb stroked the back of her hand. "Kept it in mind, and thought it would be perfect tonight."

"It was." She sighed, letting herself lean against his side. "I can't believe you have more planned." She felt his chuckle against her side.

"Sara, this is just the beginning."

-#-

After a few minutes, she felt the limo slow again. Peering out the window, she saw it had pulled up in front of one of the hotels. "Nick?" she asked warily.

"Trust me."

Seeing no other choice, she allowed him to help her out of the limo and lead her into the lobby. Instead of approaching the desk, however, he steered her towards one of the ballrooms.

Nick pulled a pair of tickets from inside his suit jacket and presented them to the man standing guard at the double doors. The man checked the tickets, tore off the stubs, and handed them back. "Have a good time," he told them, in a voice reminiscent of tumbling gravel as he opened the doors.

Nick kept his hand at the small of Sara's back as they entered the ballroom. To Sara's surprise, the elegant ballroom was covered in streamers, crepe paper…and a disco ball spun over the center of the dance floor, where couples were already dancing vigorously to a dj playing eighties hits. A large banner was strung over the stage at the far end.

"Welcome to Mix 98.9's Fifth Annual Way-Back Eighties…Prom?" Sara read aloud. "Nick…."

She turned to look at him, at that smile on his face. "Sara, would you be my prom date?" he asked.