Chapter 6 A Night at the Theatre

It was almost lunchtime towards the beginning of the week and Shane kept glancing at an envelope on her desk in between research on the computer. "You still haven't told him?" Rita asked noticing Shane kept looking at the envelope.

"No, I hope he likes it. You know how much he likes surprises. What if it's only the dramatic depressing one's he likes. This one is a comedy. If Shakespeare can be considered comedic." Shane said with an eye roll.

"Shane he's going to love it because it's from you. You're going to have fun together." Rita said trying to reassure her while she headed towards the fridge. Norman and Oliver joined them from Norman's lab as Rita was pulling things out of the fridge for lunch.

Shane slid the envelope in her pocket before joining them. Norman and Rita kept the conversation going during lunch while Shane quietly ate her food. Oliver, wondering what was going on with Shane, asked about the church plans for the wedding. Rita brought him up to date on the wedding. When they were finishing up with lunch, Rita asked Norman to help her with something in his lab. On her way out, Rita mouthed to Shane behind Oliver, "Tell him."

Grateful for the chance to talk to Shane Oliver asked, "Shane anything you want to discuss?"

"I have a surprise for this weekend." She said excitedly sliding the envelope across the table.

Oliver picked up the envelope looking at Shane. He opened it looking inside and found two tickets to Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. He smiled, "Theater tickets for Saturday night. Shane thank you."

"There's an excellent restaurant near the theater we can eat at before the show." Shane added relieved he seemed to like the idea.

"It sounds like it will be a very enjoyable evening." Oliver said taking her hand. "I'll pick you up for dinner."

That Saturday Oliver arrived at Shane's and knocked on her door. She opened it juggling her evening bag and coat in the process. "Just a sec, Oliver." After locking the door, she turned around. Looking up she saw the look of shocked appreciation on Oliver's face. With the evenings getting chillier, she wore a dark navy velvet dress that brought out the blue in her eyes. The dress looked deceptively modest from the front. Her hair swept up and her makeup smoky around her eyes she had donned a different look then he had become accustomed. The long-sleeved dress with a high neck was partially cut out in the back showing her alabaster skin in contrast with the dark dress. The slit along the bottom of the back revealed her long legs in heels as she moved. Oliver stuttered trying to complement her, "The dress…is…that is…very…nice." He swallowed before trying again, "You look extraordinarily beautiful tonight."

She slowly grinned, "Thank you Oliver. Do you mind helping me with my coat?" He took it from her reluctantly covering up the dress.

They arrived at the restaurant where Shane had made reservations and were seated quickly. "Have you seen this play before?" Shane asked.

"No, I enjoy going to the theater, but it isn't something everyone enjoys." Oliver replied. "Out of Shakespeare's I've only seen Hamlet."

Shane took that to mean Holly didn't enjoy going. "I haven't seen the play, but I've seen the movie version with Elizabeth Taylor. Living in Virginia it was easy to take the train into New York for the weekend and go to the theater. I typically attended more contemporary shows though."

After ordering Oliver took her hand, "This was sweet of you to organize."

She brushed her thumb along his hand that was holding hers. "I hoped it was something you might enjoy."

"I enjoy spending time with you Shane regardless of what we're doing." Shane smiled at him tenderly.

When their food arrived, they started talking about some of the other plays Shane had seen in New York. She revealed that she'd gone to New York mostly with Becky but occasionally with other friends or her mom. Oliver was relieved that it hadn't been Steve that had accompanied her but wisely kept that to himself.

After they finished eating, they walked to the theater down the street. Oliver helped Shane out of her coat as they found their seats. They talked while looking at the playbills until the play started. As the first actor entered the stage Shane slipped her hand into Oliver's. She stole glances at him periodically watching him appreciate the play. At intermission they left their seats to get a drink. Oliver slid his arm around her possessively resting his hand at her waist as they walked trying to shelter her from the bustling crowd. After getting their drinks they stood talking about the first half. "I do have to say I'm happy to not have been born during that time period," Shane mused taking a sip of her drink. "I don't think I would have fared well. I have opinions."

Oliver chuckled, "One of the first things I noticed was your opinions. Passionately well defended opinions."

Shane looked at him smiling wryly, "One of the first things?"

He ran a finger down the side of her cheek, "The very first was how beautiful you are inside and out."

"Nice save O'Toole." Shane said laughing.

He leaned down closer to her, "Shane tonight when you opened the door you..." The announcement the intermission was close to being over interrupted him. Shane wondered what he'd been about to say. Finishing their drinks, they started back to their seats. As they were walking, Oliver kept his hand at Shane's lower back. When they sat, Oliver took her hand weaving his fingers in between hers. She struggled to focus the last half as Oliver absently brushed his thumb against her wrist periodically. At the end of the play Oliver helped her back into her coat before leaving the theater. Driving back to her house they discussed the play and the different actor's performances.

"Would you like to come in for some coffee or tea?" Shane asked.

"You have tea?" Oliver said surprised as he exited the car.

"I may have acquired some knowing a certain gentleman has started spending more time at my place." Shane added self-mockingly, "It's not even in bags Oliver."

He chuckled as they walked up her path, "I hope you acquired a tea strainer as well."

She laughed, "I did."

"I'd love a cup of tea." Oliver followed her in hanging their coats up. Shane discarded her heels by the entrance to the kitchen. Watching her put water in an electric kettle, he leaned against a counter appreciating the view of her dress from the back.

Turning she caught the look of approval on his face. Smiling slightly, she started the water to boil before leaning against the counter next to him. "Tonight, was wonderful. Thank you for getting the tickets Shane." A lock of hair had escaped, and he gently brushed it behind her ear.

"You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed tonight." They leaned towards each other lips meeting. He gently brushed his lips against hers teasingly. Leaning into him sliding her hand around his neck she increased the pressure wanting more. As the kiss continued Oliver's hands found her waist savoring the feel of her encased in velvet. Resting against him she startled when the tea kettle whistled. "I'm still not used to that." She reluctantly stepped away to take care of the tea. After filling the cups, Shane handed him his tea before filling hers with sugar.

"Shane, did you ever consider an insulin drip may be more effective?" Oliver questioned watching her pile in the sugar.

Shane started laughing. "It wouldn't taste the same."

As they sat on her sofa, he put his arm around her shoulders, she curled her legs up next to her. "What was the first play you ever saw?" Shane asked.

"A Christmas Carol. I had just read it and my dad took me right before Christmas. What was your first?"

"A Secret Garden but I didn't get to watch much of it because I was in it." Shane leaned her head on his shoulder.

"What part?"

"I was a bunny. I only had one line."

"I don't know that I ever read the book, but I don't remember it being about talking animals." Oliver said confused.

"Oh, there's not in the book but there was a lot of artistic license taken in our elementary school version." Shane said smiling.

"I imagine you made a darling bunny." Oliver said smiling.

"I drove my mother nuts practicing my line for weeks before the play, but on the day, I nailed it."

"Does she have any video of the play?" Oliver asked speculatively. "Now that we're facetime friends do you think she'd share?"

Shane laughed, "I can ask her." She put her tea down and snuggled back against him laying her hand on his chest. Looking up at him she ran a finger along his bottom lip before kissing him. He ran his hand down her back dusting his fingers against her skin in the open back of her dress.

"Did I mention how much I like this dress?" Oliver asked in between kissing her.

"I thought you might like it." Shane responded.

Not wanting things to get out of control, Oliver eventually slowed things down. Shane tucked her head against his chest. Smiling she noticed he left his hand on the open back of her dress. "I should probably get going I have church tomorrow morning." Relishing the feel of her cuddled up next to him he made no move to leave.

"Your faith is important to you." Shane commented thoughtfully.

"Yes, it is."

"Could I go with you sometime?" Shane asked. "I've never been a church person, but I'd like to know more. It's a big part of who you are."

Surprised but pleased, "Anytime you'd like to come with me let me know."

"Maybe next weekend." Shane replied leaning forward to pick up her tea. "It is getting late."

Oliver reluctantly shifted getting up from the sofa. Walking to the door, "I enjoyed this evening very much Shane." He kissed her one last time on his way out.

"Good night." She said watching him walk to his car. Getting ready for bed she smiled as she ran her hand down the dress after taking it off. Remembering the look on Oliver's face when he first saw her made it worth every minute of the shopping trip to find the dress.