A/N-Thank you all for the reviews and follows and alerts. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
My Italian is not great, but I double checked my translation and I think it is correct.
Sheldon is a little OOC in this story.
Penny tried on several dresses before deciding on the dark green one. She had bought it at a sale a few months back and hadn't had a chance to wear it yet, but was it too much she thought, they will probably end up at the local Chinese. Damn it, she hadn't been out on a date for ages, she was going to wear the green dress. She grabbed her silver open toed stilettos and her silver clutch, gave herself one last look in the mirror and was happy.
She poured herself a glass of wine, why was she so nervous? She took a sip and went back to look at herself in the mirror, she was still happy with her choice. Sheldon will probably turn up in his Flash T-Shirt, but oh well, at least one of them made an effort.
It was 7.30pm exactly and the expected three knocks sounded at her door. She placed her glass on the kitchen sink and sprayed her mouth with some mint spray. She opened the door and was pleasantly surprised at the effort Sheldon had taken.
"Penny, these are for you." He handed her the flowers and the chocolates.
"Oh, oh Sheldon, you didn't have to do that sweetie. Come in." She walked over to her kitchen and looked for a vase all the time smelling the sweet scent of the roses. "These are beautiful Sheldon and such a rich scent, where did you ever find roses with a perfume?"
Sheldon had shut the door behind him and followed Penny to the kitchen. "So you like them Penny?"
Penny looked at him. "Sheldon they are beautiful, no-one ever bought me flowers before, ever."
"Well I believe that a gentleman should bring a lady flowers and chocolates on a first date, you know to make an impression." He replied.
"Well they are both beautiful, thank you." Penny smiled at him, and he smiled back. "So where are we going to dinner?"
"Mi Piace, on Colorado Blvd."
"Gee, that's awfully expensive Sheldon."
"My treat Penny. Shall we go?" Sheldon walked to the door and opened it. "The taxi is waiting."
"I'm not driving?"
"No, I'm taking you out on a date, of course you aren't driving." He walked out to the landing and waited for Penny to close the door. He knew that behind 4A three sets of eyes were fighting to get their turn to look out of the peep hole to see if they could see anything. So he decided to let them see something and he turned toward Penny and held out his arm for her to take.
Sheldon being a true southern gentlemen held the taxi door open for Penny and opened the door for her to the restaurant too. Penny wasn't used to this Sheldon and was slightly taken aback.
"Table for two for Dr Sheldon Cooper." He announced to the Maitre de, who asked them to follow, they were given a table near the window.
"This is a very nice place here Sheldon. Have you eaten here before?" Penny asked.
"Yes. This afternoon."
"This afternoon?" She replied shocked.
"I had to check if it met my standards, and of course if it is good enough for my date."
Penny smiled at him, this Sheldon was so sweet.
The waiter appeared at the table and asked if they were ready to order any drinks. Penny ordered a champagne martini and Sheldon ordered a glass of sparkling water.
"Sheldon, when you had your first date with Amy, you had no idea."
"I've been researching Penny." He changed the subject. "Do you know what Mi Piace means?"
"My place?"
"No it's Italian for I Like." He looked straight into her eyes and then he swallowed hard and turned away.
Penny smiled,she thought she saw a blush in Sheldon's cheeks. Was it hot in here?
The waiter returned with their drinks and took their dinner order and left them alone. Penny took a sip of her drink, it was delicious. "Ah sweetie, I'll pay you back for this drink."
"You will do no such thing." Sheldon argued. "I am taking you out on a date."
"But Sheldon, it's not a real date."
"Why ever not? Did I not bring you flowers, did I not bring you chocolates, did I not bring you to an expensive restaurant?" Sheldon answered.
Penny looked at him he really thought they were on a date. "Yes Sheldon sorry."
"Besides, if this isn't a real date why did you wear that beautiful dress?"
"You think it's beautiful?" Penny placed her right hand up to her throat. "Thank you sweetie, and you are looking very nice tonight too." she took another sip of her drink. Wow it is hot in here.
"Yes Penny you look very nice tonight, as well you know." Sheldon smiled at her.
She took another sip of her drink and looked up at Sheldon who was looking straight at her.
"So what's happening between you and Amy then?"
"As you know Amy wants a boyfriend, but I don't want to be her boyfriend, so she has moved onto another man, Stuart. I think that is all the facts." Sheldon sat back in his seat.
"You don't mind?"
"Why should I mind?" He leaned forward and looked straight into Penny's eyes. "If I wanted to be her boyfriend it would be her sitting opposite me tonight."