By 8:25 Beverly was starting to get second thoughts. Deanna said she would meet her date at the restaurant at 8:30 and that he was known for being punctual.
Maybe, she thought as she paced the length of the bathroom, she could legitimately come down with something. The flu would be good. It would be a case of self-induced flu, but the flu nonetheless.
She hadn't dated in years and felt acutely uncomfortable. The scarf felt too tight, the earrings too heavy. She ran her hands over her sweater and frowned. Why couldn't she be 33 instead of 53, then she wouldn't be so self-conscious about her looks.
She forced herself to quit pacing and calmly walked out to the patio and looked up the sky. The stars were just starting to come out and as she counted each faint light she slowly relaxed.
She looked down at her watch as the minute hand slowly moved past the five. Her mind shifted back to her date and she felt sick. She wondered if she still had time to call off the date due to illness. It wouldn't be a lie. She didn't sleep the night before and she'd been too nervous today to eat much. Why did she put herself through this? The deep breathing, the leg shaving, and anxiety so sharp it made her stomach sick. It wasn't worth it.
She pulled out her cell phone and hit the speed-dial.
"Hello?"
"Deanna, I can't do this."
"Beverly, you don't have anything to worry about. And before you try to argue, you don't have to make any commitments tonight. All this is, is dinner and drinks with a nice man. If you don't like him, you don't have to see him again."
"Will you at least tell me his name?"
"No, it's a surprise."
"Is it someone I know?"
"Maybe. But then again, you know a lot of people Beverly."
"Well, just tell me what he looks like."
"All right, he has hazel eyes."
"That helps a lot."
Her only reply was a chuckle before she heard the dial tone.
At 8:30 exactly, she heard a familiar voice. "Beverly?"
She turned to find him standing there in a pair of black pants and shirt, looking mysterious and as almost as confused as her.
"Jean-Luc? What are you doing here?"
"I'm almost ashamed to say…" he stopped and frowned at her. "Why are you here?"
"Deanna set me up on a blind date."
"She set me up too. You don't think…"
"I don't just think, I know. And I'm going to kill her."
"No you won't. As Captain, I get the first shot."
She chuckled as he pulled her chair out for her. Dinner was ordered and the wine was poured. Beverly giggled when she saw the label.
"What's so funny?"
She turned the bottle towards him and he chuckled too. "The Picard label. A fine year, too. I suppose we shouldn't go too hard on the Counselor, after all she did pick an excellent wine."
Beverly sipped at the wine and found he was correct, it was an excellent vintage.
"How have you been Jean-Luc? It's been what…four months since we last saw each other."
"Closer to five actually. And I'm fine. I just got back from Baku about three weeks ago."
Her lips thinned ever so slightly and she took another sip of wine. "Ah, and how is Anij?"
"Doing quite well. She asked me to return in another two months. But I don't know if I will. Perhaps…"
"What Jean-Luc?"
"Perhaps…No, no. It's a stupid request."
"Come now Captain, you've piqued my interest. I have to know."
"I was wondering if, possibly, you would go with me?"
In her mind, she immediately balked at the idea. On the outside, though, she considered her wine. "I don't know. How long are you planning on being gone?"
"A week, maybe two. Just long enough to help prepare for the wedding and see Anij off."
She almost spit out her wine. "Wedding?"
"Of course, Beverly, didn't you get my last message? Anij met a young gentleman from Bajor. Since her father is no longer around, she's asked me to give her away at the ceremony. Traditionally, one is supposed to bring a date to a wedding, but if you don't want to go…"
"No, I'm sorry the communiqué must've gotten lost. Oh, this is wonderful Jean-Luc. I think I might have to juggle a few things around in my schedule, but I do have all that shore leave saved up…"
"Beverly, calm down. The wedding isn't for another six or seven weeks. Plenty of time to prepare."
"I'm sorry. I've just been waiting for a wedding for so long now…this is so exciting."
"Can I assume correctly that this isn't the wedding you were hoping for?"
"Not exactly."
"And how are Wesley and Charlotte?" He asked as the food arrived.
"Charlie's mother and I keep asking for a date, but they keep saying they're going to get a commission together first and see how things pan out."
"Those two seem almost made for each other. They've dated for well on three years now and lived together for one, what could they possibly be waiting for?"
"Maybe, the other shoe to drop."
"Ah, wanting to see how well they hold up under pressure."
They conversation fell off into silence as their minds drifted off on similar tangents. When the silence became unbearable he questioned her about her new job as head CMO for all of Starfleet Command and she grilled him on his teaching career as a Geology professor.
She soon relaxed and realized Deanna was right. Dinner and drinks with a wonderful man with no commitments was refreshing. The fact that the company and conversation were especially familiar made it all the easier to enjoy.
Only one more chapter to go.