A/N: I've gotten a lot more positive feedback on this story than I expected. Also, sorry if Daniel seems a bit creepy. I meant for him to come across as purely romantic. Thanks guys. Happy reading! ?
Hope Valley Elementary
"Goodbye everyone, have a great weekend! I wanna hear all about it on Monday!" Elizabeth called to her students as the last of them walked out the door to the carpool. As she was turning back to go lock up her class for the day, she felt catch behind her. She looked up to find the same perfect stranger that was picking up his daughter earlier that week.
"You're Miss Thatcher right? Mia's teacher?" He asked, extended his hand.
"Guilty as charged." She smiled, shaking it. "To what do I owe the pleasure Mr?" She paused, realizing that she didn't actually know his name.
"Lissing, Daniel Lissing, but you can just call me Dan." He said letting go of her hand, to her slight disappointment.
Daniel. She thought. Even his name is sexy.
"Well that in case, you can call me Elizabeth, or E for short. Although that might be a bit weird to be on nickname basis with your daughter's teacher. " She noticed she was rambling. "So what can I help you with today?"
"Daughter? Mia's not my daughter." He chuckled. "She's my niece. But that's actually why I'm here. You see, my sister called and told me she didn't have to work late today so she was gonna go ahead and pick Mia up from school." Elizabeth wondered where he was going with this but said nothing. "But," he continued, "by the time I found that out, I was already here. And if I'm being completely honest, I'm kinda glad things happened the way they did today because something told told me to pluck up the courage and talk to Mia's beautiful teacher."
"Well you are not shy at all, are you?" Elizabeth tried not to blush as hard as she was. "I must say the world would be a much more romantic place if men would just say exactly what they feel, like you. I can honestly say I've never met someone so bold."
"Well if my wacky life has taught me anything, it's to go after what I want. And I think I want you."
Am I dreaming? Elizabeth thought. This is too good to be real.
"Well why do you think you want me?" Elizabeth decided to be a bit bold herself. Between her and her sister, she was the introvert.
"You're smart, gorgeous, you love children. Need I go on?" He moved a bit closer. Elizabeth shook her head no.
"I honestly don't know what to say." Elizabeth blushed for the umpteenth time.
"Just say you'll grab a coffee with me at Abigail's." He said confidently.
"I'd love to but right now?" She asked, a bit surprised.
"Are you busy right now?" He asked.
"I guess not. Let me grab my stuff." She walked back to her desk and her jacket and her purse.
In the hallway
Jack's heart plummeted. He turned on his heel as soon he heard her start to walk towards the door. On his way out the door, he threw the iced mocha in the trash. On his way home, he tried to hold back his tears. What made him the saddest was that he could only be angry at himself. The world would be a much more romantic place if men would just exactly what they feel, like you. That made Jack feel like he had been punched in the stomach. That was his problem, he could never muster the courage to say what he felt, and now he never could. Relax Jack, they're only going for coffee, not getting married. He told himself. Yea but I can already picture the way she was gazing at him. Jack drove the rest of the way to his apartment, the most upset he's been in a long time.
Abigail's Café
As they waited in line, Elizabeth sent a quick text to Erin. I'll b home a little l8r than usual. Her response came about two minutes later while Daniel was ordering. Y? Everything ok?
Better than ok. Elizabeth texted back. That cute guy I told you about, he asked me for coffee. Her phone beeped again. Nice! Have fun. Don't stay out too late ;) She sent one last text before sliding into the booth across from Daniel. Haha! Thanks.
Elizabeth her iced coffee once their drinks were brought over.
"I don't think I've seen you before. Are you new?" She asked the waitress.
"Yes, I just started a few days ago." She replied.
"Is Abigail here?" Elizabeth looked around.
"No, her son is sick and Claire's looking after him. She just left about 15 minutes to go check on him. She should be back within the hour though."
"Oh, ok." Elizabeth said.
"My name is Miranda. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask." She smiled and walked back to the counter.
"So what do you do for a living?" Elizabeth asked, sipping her iced mocha.
"I'm a photographer." He answered.
"Wow, that's amazing. What do take pictures of?" She asked.
"Everyday life, nature, people, pretty much any and everything." He said. The two of them continued to talk for about 45 minutes.
"What's your favorite song?" Daniel asked her.
"Probably Something Kinda Funny." She said after, thinking on it.
"By the Spice Girls?" He asked, grinning.
"Yea, you know it?" She was surprised.
"I lived in a house with three women. I grew up on "Girl Power." He said, making air quotes. Elizabeth chuckled, somehow not surprised he was raised that way.
"Well what about you? What's your favorite song?" She asked.
"I really like the old stuff. So I'm gonna have to go with The Air That I Breathe by the Hollies." He told her.
"Really. That's a good one." She said. "So what made you wanna move here?"
"How did you know I'm not from here?" He asked.
"Because anyone who was local would know not to wear such an ugly hat in public." She said, referring to the New England Patriots cap he was sporting. He laughed and removed it.
"Now I know why people were glaring at me when I walked in here." He joked. About 15 minutes later, Daniel walked Elizabeth back to her car. "We should definitely do this again sometime." He said, opening her door for her.
"I would like that." She agreed, getting in. Once she was buckled in, Daniel closed her door and watched her drive off before making his way over to his car.
Erin's condo
Elizabeth walked in, grinning from ear to ear to find to find Erin nursing a glass of wine and watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
"How was your date?" Erin asked giddily.
"Amazing." She sat down. "He's the nicest most handsome devil in the world." She couldn't stop smiling. "He's such a romantic. He's not afraid to say how he feels. He just made me feel like I've known him forever."
"He sounds perfect sis." Erin was happy for her sister.
Abigail's Café
"Thanks so much, everyone. My name's Daniel. Enjoy your coffee." And with that, he hopped off the stage. He saw her before she saw him.
"I'll talk you later, E." Claire said, heading back up to the register. Daniel slid into the booth, across from her. "This seat taken?" He asked, smiling. Erin looked up.
"It is now." She flirted back. Erin was the epitome of outgoing. There was not a shy bone in her body. "I really liked you up there. Buddy Holly was a legend."
"I completely agree."
"There's something refreshing about old school music." She told him.
"Well there's this place downtown called Seb's that only plays the 'good stuff.' Do you maybe wanna go with me?" He asked.
"I would love to go. I've been wanting to check that place out forever, but I could never find anyone to go with." She said, not believing her luck.
"Perfect. Does tonight sound good?" He asked, hopeful.
"Yea, I'm free. Here's my number." She said, pulling out her phone. After they had exchanged numbers, Erin went home to get ready for her date.
Erin's condo
"Ooh why do you look all sexy?" Elizabeth quipped, walking into her sister's place.
"Well, apparently luck strikes in pairs because the singer I was telling you about, the one at Abigail's, he's into the classics. He's taking me to Seb's tonight." Elizabeth replied.
"When's the wedding?" Elizabeth teased.
"Shut-up and zip me." Erin laughed, turning around. About 10 minutes later, Erin's phone chimed. "He's outside. I'll see you later."
"Have fun." Elizabeth called as Erin headed out the door.
Seb's
"Have I told you how absolutely stunning you look?" Daniel asked.
"Yes, but it never hurts to hear." Erin responded. Just then, the band started playing Hit the Road Jack.
"Oh, this is such a great song." Daniel jumped up from his seat and held out his hand. "Dance with me E."
"Oh no. I can't swing dance." She said, shaking her head.
"C'mon, it's not that hard." He said, grabbing her hand and leading her to the dance floor. "Alright now just follow me." He showed a couple of steps and pretty soon, she was getting the hang of it. By the time they sat down, they had danced through 4 other songs and were out of breath.
"I've never been so content being sweaty in my life." Erin joked. "But I need something to drink."
"Say no more." Daniel walked up to the bar and got two waters. When he came back Erin, was bobbing her head to the music. "Here you go." They danced to a few more songs before calling it a night.
Erin's condo
"I had such a great time tonight. Thank you." She said turning to face him after grabbing her keys out of her purse.
"Me too. I know I just met you but I really like spending time with you." He leaned in. Erin met his lips with hers. When they parted, she couldn't help but smile.
"Can I call you this week?" He asked.
"Anytime you want." She couldn't think straight.
"Goodnight." He whispered, kissing her lightly again.
"Goodnight." She said back. She let herself into her condo once he made it back to his car.
"Liz?" She said, noticing her sister on the couch. "It's past midnight. You didn't have to wait up for me."
"I wanted to make sure you got back safe." She said. "So how was it?"
"It was perfect. I swung dance for the first time in my life and he kissed me. He actually kissed me goodnight."
"That's a little forward isn't it? For a first date?" Elizabeth asked, smiling.
"I think that's just how Daniel is. He just sat down next to me at the coffee shop today and started talking to me like he knew me." Erin answered. Elizabeth's smile dropped.
"Daniel?" She asked, making sure she had heard right.
"Yea, that's his name, Daniel." Erin said.
"Daniel as in green-eyed, cow-licked, dimpled Daniel?" Elizabeth asked, getting worried.
"Yes? How do you know all that" Erin asked, starting to worry too.
"Because that's my Daniel!" Elizabeth replied, jumping off the couch.
"No he's not. He's my Daniel!" Erin said, turning to face her sister.
"No, I met him first! He thinks you're me!" Elizabeth yelled.
"No way! That's not true. He's mine. He's perfect for me!" Erin reasoned.
"Did he call you Erin at all tonight?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, he called me E." She answered.
"Aha! That's because that's what I told him to call me on Friday! You see? He thinks you are me! He's mine! Besides, you always get what you want!" Elizabeth shouted.
"That's a lie. I do not. You know what? I'm calling Mom." Erin yelled.
"Fine! Go ahead and call her! She's gonna tell you he's mine!" Elizabeth replied. Erin put the phone on speaker and the two of them waiting for their mother to answer.
"Erin do you know what time it is?" Their mother's groggy voice came through the line.
"Sorry mom but this is an emergency." Erin seethed. "Me and Elizabeth have a slight problem."
"Well what is it?" Her mother asked, trying not to fall back asleep.
"I met a guy on Friday, named Daniel, who I think is perfect for me and we went on a date." Elizabeth started. "Then Erin met him yesterday, and thinking it was me, he asked her on a second date. Can you please explain to my sister that he's mine?"
"No mom, tell her he's mine. We bonded over our mutual love for old music. You don't like old music. He likes me." Erin countered.
"No, he likes me more." Elizabeth said.
"No, he likes-"
"Girls!" Their mother's sharp voice cut through the phone, halting their argument. "Stop it. Now, what did we do with the things you fought over when you were younger?" She asked.
"You said it was off limits until we could learn to share. But those were toys. And we can't share him, he's not a toy." Erin said.
"Well you two sure are treating him like one, arguing over who he belongs to." Their mother said. "So until you two can come to an agreement, this Daniel fella is off limits. Understand?" She asked.
"But Mom," they both started.
"No buts. I mean it. Now goodnight." And with that, she hung up the phone. Erin and Elizabeth were left speechless and angry. Elizabeth made her way over to the door.
"Goodnight man stealer." Elizabeth said, before she left.