Emma found herself later that evening, walking down the hallway to Regina's room. She really didn't want to think about the poor line of thought that brought her here. She could turn back, if she wanted to, but she didn't think she really did, and after all she had gone through so much work to find which room was hers. And sooner than she realized, she was stopped in front of the door, fist raised, about to knock, when her fears kicked in again. "You can do this Swan, it's not that hard." She steeled her nerves, and brought her fist down, coming in contact with the door, a sharp rap sounded, followed by the sounds of shuffling coming from within the room.
The door opens, and a look of shock is quickly replaced by irritation as Regina stands there in the doorway, looking at Emma. "Can I help you?"
"Well, you don't have to but I figured I'd ask if you'd wanna maybe go get dinner. I mean, it seems like we'd run into each other there anyways." Emma trailed off feeling like she'd maybe said more than she meant to. Though she quickly added "Just as friends, well acquaintances really. Not a date or anything like that," when she saw the raised eyebrow Regina regarded her with.
And with a dramatic sigh, Regina stepped out of her room, pulling the door shut behind her. "I might as well seeing as how you seem to keep finding me. But let's make this clear, it is not a date."
Emma found herself smiling, even though Regina seemed to be working on maintaining the image of Emma being an annoyance and nothing more. Maybe the brunette would have a sweet spot for her after all. Or on second thought, maybe not, Emma had to correct herself, noticing the look the brunette was giving her. But it was probably all for show.
She led Regina out of the hotel and to her rental, getting the door for her in what may have been seen as an overly romantic gesture, but Emma just told herself, she was not hitting on her and would not be doing anything of the sort tonight.
Getting in the car herself, she tried to start with some small talk, hoping a conversation may follow. "I've never been to Houston before, but I figured I'd try and experience what I could while I was here. I hope you like Mexican though. It seems pretty popular online."
"It would certainly be a shame if the reviews were wrong."
"You have no idea, talk about embarrassing. I don't want to be taking you to some sketchy diner where we'll get robbed."
"That situation would be most unfortunate."
Emma pulled her phone out and began pulling up the Maps app, hoping the restaurant wasn't too far away, maybe some food and drinks could fix the tension, or pull the stick out of Regina's ass. Emma smiled to herself as her inner monologue continued on with exactly how far that stick would have to be up there to be that uptight.
"What seems to be so funny?"
Emma paled as she realized she couldn't actually answer that if she wanted this "not date" to continue on smoothly. Quickly covering with the first thing she could "Just a text a friend sent me. Seems to think I've been kidnapped."
"Why would he think that?"
"Well, I left home rather abruptly a few days ago and haven't returned. I said it'd only be a couple days, but my boss keeps sending me on trips."
"Oh really? You're here for work?"
"Yeah, I'm not sure how long I'll be in town though. Probably just a couple of days really, unless something comes up." Emma thought "Of course it'd be work that she's interested in. The one topic I can't actually give many details on."
Trying to steer the conversation off of herself, Emma asked "What about you? What brings you to Houston?"
"Work as well."
"What do you do?"
"I'd have to kill you if I tell you."
"Funny. But seriously, what brings you here?"
"No, really, that's classified. Why so interested in what I do? What is it you do?"
Thinking back to her business cards she'd found on her kitchen counter at home, she laughed at how the answer had already been supplied to her, earning a strange look from her companion. "I'm in human resources."
"Oh really?" Regina seemed to give her a disbelieving look.
Emma flashed her a genuine smile, "Really, you can even have my card if you want. Who makes up business cards with fake info right? I'm not that much of a creeper, it's just a weird coincidence we keep ending up in the same place."
"A weird coincidence indeed."
"Well, when I leave this time, I can always tell you where I'm going and we can compare notes to make sure we don't end up at the same place if it helps."
Emma's phone had to interrupt their easygoing conversation with a computerized female voice stating that their destination was on the left.
"Hey, look it's not a hole in the wall! No danger of getting robbed here." Emma couldn't help but exclaim. She pulled into the parking lot adjacent to the restaurant which looked rather plain on the outside, but well maintained, even the sign had all the letters illuminated. She got out of the car and headed over to the passenger side, intending to get the door for Regina, but found she had already opened the door and gotten out herself, leaving Emma to feel a bit awkward as she stood there. She acted on the first thing that came to mind and offered her arm out to Regina, who proceeded to look down at the red leather covered arm, hesitance on her face.
Seconds passed, but it felt like minutes, Emma getting the feeling that she would not get a positive reaction from this, instead shoved her hands in her pockets and turned to walk into the restaurant hoping Regina would follow.
"I thought I made it clear, this wasn't a date. I'm married."
"Yeah, not a date, no worries, just trying to be friendly." Emma could feel the tension between them rising again. She pulled the door to the building open, and held it for Regina, ushering her in with a quick wave of her hand.
She heard a muttered thank you as she followed Regina in and went to ask for a table. Silence fell on them once again as they followed the overly cheery hostess to the table, walking past all kinds of decoration made to make the place feel more "authentic" even though most of the sombreros hanging on the wall probably came with made in China stickers. She took in the look and feel of the place, enjoying some of the local artwork, the bright colors, and of course all the clothing. Mariachi music could be heard playing in the background and Emma really hoped this wasn't one of those chain-type American Mexican restaurants.
Emma took her seat opposite Regina at the small table, and ordered a beer when the waitress came by. Regina ordered a glass of red wine, and Emma couldn't help but think that seemed to fit her, like the drink was made for her, refined but bitter, an acquired taste of sorts.
She tentatively attempted to start up the conversation again. "So, you're married?"
"Yes, I certainly hope you're not too crushed by this revelation on our not date."
Emma could feel the sarcasm just begging to come out, "My poor heart, I think it's breaking. I don't know if I can make it, living a life without you, it just seems impossible. I've only known you a day but you've already changed my life soooo much." She broke down laughing, unable to continue on this path any longer and keep a straight face.
Her comments at least earned a chuckle from Regina and she continued on between bursts of laughter. "After the flight earlier I really thought we had something special, guess I'll cancel the wedding invites. My family will just be devastated."
Regina was laughing now and joined in on her teasing, "My husband will be pleased to hear that he hasn't lost me to another woman whom I've just met. That would be a whirlwind romance wouldn't it?"
"The type that only appears in the movies like some bad rom-com." Emma took a swig of her beer. "So, on a more serious note, you really wouldn't just run away with me?" She asked attempting a serious face, but her wide grin gave it away.
"You'd have to be offering something very nice to sway me. I'm about as straight as they get."
Taking another swig of her beer, Emma smiled once again, "we'll see," and she tipped the bottle up, winking at Regina as she did so.
"Are you hitting on me?"
"No, of course not, I wouldn't dare try to steal a married woman." She looked away and finished up her beer before asking for another.
"Jeez, are we ever gonna get to actually order our food? Seems like we've been waiting for ever."
The waitress popped around the corner, dropping off Emma's next beer and taking their order. The conversation continued to flow smoothly between the two of them the rest of the meal, or maybe it was the work of the alcohol. Emma lost track of how many beers she had while Regina had a few glasses of wine. Good drinks, good food, good company was always a recipe for disaster, especially with Emma Swan when a straight (married) woman was involved.
"Come on 'Gina, you gotta do a shot with me. Look, they've got the kind with the worm in the bottle, that's how you know it's good."
Emma had been pestering Regina for the past few minutes, trying to get her to do a shot with her. Emma would swear up and down that she wasn't drunk, not even tipsy, besides, the restaurant was open a few more hours, and she was enjoying her company, and finally Regina (or Gina as Emma was currently calling her) relented.