A/N: 1,790 hits! I'm floored. Hope everyone is excited for date night!
I hope everyone State-side had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I enjoyed dinner with my boyfriend's family, mostly because I was so drunk I could ignore the insanity. Noting like being called by your significant other's cousin's name by his 90 year old grandmother all night to make you drink. It got awkward once his cousin showed up. Then I became "Sweetheart". Definitely looking forward to Sunday when I get to enjoy my family's dinner. My mom makes the best turkey!!!
This chapter went through several revisions over the past few days. I kept feeling unhappy with it, and after several rounds of tweaking, I finally had something I was confident in posting. Thanks to chisaii-kitty for keeping an eye on it and for all your advice!! At first I didn't think I needed a beta, but in retrospect, I can't imagine not having her eyes read it over for me or having someone to ask about plot points.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. They own everything.
Pam was getting impatient. It was 2:05 and she had told Eric to be there by two. Time is money and her time is very expensive. He was lucky she was getting paid. All she had to do was quote the temperamental nature of authors, and hers was particularly temperamental. Everyone at the publishing firm knew of Eric's past and how delicately Pam had to handle him now that he was re-entering the literary world. Her colleagues praised her dedication to her client. She had most definitely fluffed up how bad off Eric was; she used him as an excuse on more than one occasion to leave the office early to do a little shopping or take a spa day.
Finally, she saw him getting out of a taxi, flip open his cell phone and put it up to his ear. He approached her position by the store front, gesturing for her to wait just one more minute.
"Amelia, I'm sure I'm fine. I was just writing. I know I didn't make it to the gym. She was? Oh, make sure she knows I'm okay. I know, tonight at six. No, I won't be late. I promise. Yes, I swear. Yes, Amelia, I cross my heart. You're making me make Pam wait, she's giving me the angry eyes. I need to go. Pam is taking me shopping. I need something to wear tonight. No, I don't own one piece of clothing. I really have to go. Yes, you too. Okay, I swear, I'll go to the bar tonight with Sookie. I won't chicken out. I won't! Good bye. Yes, okay. Good bye. Namaste? Sure, whatever, good bye."
"Which one of these girls are you dating again?"
"Amelia is the concerned best friend, Pam. Aren't you the slightest bit concerned for me going out on my first date since Felicia?"
"I was, seven minutes ago, when you would have been on time. Now, I'm just bored and had to listen to half a conversation. I will take it out on you in my clothing selections, by the way."
"Amelia was just worried that she hadn't seen me at the gym for a few days. She said that Sookie was worried too. Isn't that sweet, she's worried about me already. I'm feeling pretty optimistic about tonight."
The pair walked into the store and were immediately greeted by a sales attendant. The young girl was unnaturally bleach blonde with implants two sizes too big. She completely lacked all of Sookie's natural beauty, and Eric found his mind wandering to the smooth curves of her body, only to be brought back to reality when Pam started throwing clothes at him.
"Optimistic, eh? Does that mean you're going to fuck her brains out?"
"Pam! How could you say that? I have every intention of taking things slowly, easing into whatever this is. I want things to develop naturally between us. Having sex this early in the game would completely ruin things. I'm not even sure if I could bring myself to be with another woman like that yet. I'm worried enough about going on a date, let alone making this relationship sexual."
"Whatever, I'm not that emotionally invested anyway. Not unless she has a hot, bi-curious friend you'd be willing to introduce to me."
Pam wandered away from him and began to babble with the plastic clerk. Knowing Pam, the overly-made up girl was not her type, but that didn't mean Pam wouldn't flirt her way to a discount. Soon enough, Eric found himself in the dressing room surrounding by overpriced designer clothes. His head was spinning at the amount of zeros on the end of each price tag.
"Pam, you know my finances better than I do. Can I afford this store?"
"Yes, Eric, I wouldn't have brought you here if you couldn't afford it. Now come out wearing something fantastic."
He stepped through the curtain towards the mirrors and the two waiting women. The young girl's jaw was on the floor; even Pam had an appreciative grin. He was dressed in a sleek black button down, a pair of fitted dress pants, and patent leather dress shoes.
"Very nice, Northman. You look like a sex symbol again. But what's with the ring on your finger? Let's not give Sookie the wrong impression."
He looked down at his left hand and the platinum band that resided there. He'd worn it every day for the past eight years. He couldn't imagine not seeing it there.
"I don't think I can take it off yet. Sookie will understand why I wear it."
"Felicia's in your heart and your mind. You don't need the physical band around your finger to remember her. Wearing it means you're not ready to move on. "
"It's not debatable. Drop it. I can't make that many changes at once. Sookie will understand."
"Fine. Go have the rest of this hissy fit in the dressing room and try something else on."
Two hours later, and several thousand dollars lighter, Pam had completely revamped his wardrobe. She was quite happy of the transformation he had made. He was happy that she was able to put it on the company card as long as he promised to wear the outfits to future movie premieres and book signings. He was confident that he had money in the bank, and more coming soon enough, but he couldn't justify spending that much money on clothing.
He made it home close to 4:30. That left plenty of time to walk Clancy, and get ready for the night. He refused to get into writing; it was too likely that he would get distracted and lose track of time. He and Clancy took a long jog through the park in part since he would not be back until late at night to take Clancy out again and in part since he found that he was full of nervous energy that he wanted to burn. He wanted to be calm and confident walking into the small Italian restaurant tonight.
Upon arriving back home, Eric took a quick shower and styled his hair. He was starting to get used to the new look and its required upkeep. He walked back into the bedroom and removed the new shirt and pants from the closet. Checking his appearance in the mirror, he was content with the man that stared back at him. Going to his nightstand, he reached for his essentials but hesitated while going for the last piece; his wedding band.
Is Pam right? Should I really leave this at home. It's become such a part of me, I can't imagine being without it. I'm sure Sookie would understand, but what will her friends say? I don't want them to think she's going out with a married man.
He fingered the band, deep in thought for several minutes. Taking a deep breath, he picked it up, and squeezed it in his palm. He crossed his bedroom to Felicia's jewelry box. Opening the small black lacquer box, he placed the ring next to Felicia's. He couldn't think of a better place for the ring to stay. Closing the box felt like lifting a weight off his shoulders. It was another piece of his old life chipping away from the new. Starting over was getting easier and easier with every step he took.
He was five minutes early and was sitting in the restaurant at a small table for two, dramatically lit with tea light candles. Romantic music was being piped over a sound system. It was a small space, a handful of tables full with people in various stages of couple-hood, thankfully free of screaming children. He loved kids, but wanted tonight to be just right.
She walked through the door, and it felt as if time and spaced stopped. She looked like perfection; the epitome of Southern Belle. Her hair was down loose around her shoulders, effortlessly curled and held back with a thin red hair band. Her makeup was light and natural, the exception being the bold red lipstick she wore. She removed the light coat she was wearing to reveal a sundress, white with a delicate red floral pattern, red patent leather flats, and a small white cardigan to keep her warm when she was without her coat. When her eyes met his, he was captivated by her beauty; she could have been wearing a burlap sack and his opinion would not have changed.
She gracefully made her way to his table with a smile that would melt any man's heart. He rose from the table, as any proper gentleman would to greet her. Taking her hand in his, he placed a small kiss on the back before pulling the chair out for her. As he pushed it in towards the table, he stole another sample of her distinct scent, detecting sandalwood mixed with the vanilla and lavender from the other day.
He took his place opposite her; he couldn't help but share in her smile.
"You look exceptionally happy tonight, Sookie. I hope I'm at least part of the cause."
"Oh, Eric, you have no idea how happy I am to see you. I know we only saw each other once, but I missed seeing you at the gym. Rest assured every bit of excitement on my face is all you."
"Sorry I haven't been coming in for my workouts. I was putting the plot of the book together. I wanted to get all the details into place before tonight so I wouldn't be distracted from our time together. I would hate to be at a restaurant with a beautiful woman having a lovely dinner and be thinking about my characters."
"That's so sweet, Eric, but stop, before my blush matches my dress."
"If all it takes to get you blushing is a simple compliment, then you need to get used to being pinker than usual."
The pair shared a small laugh before returning to simply smiling at each other from across the table. Eric's mind was spinning; he knew that he should start things out honestly. He wanted to get the hard part of this date over with at the beginning.
"Sookie, I have something to tell you and I have the sneaking suspicion you won't like it."
"Well, honesty is the best policy. I want to hear what you have to say, but in all fairness, how do you know I won't like it? We're just getting to know each other."
"I included a character inspired by you in my next book. It's what I've been working on for the past few days."
"Eric! How could I possibly hate that? You know I'm a huge fan of the series, it would be my honor to be included!"
"Well, when we met after Amelia's class, that wasn't technically the first time I saw you. I had seen you the day before while you were using the elliptical machine. You were in your own little world, singing along with your music and I was just… drawn to you. I went home and had a vision of you as the jazz singer in the club I told you about the other day at lunch."
"I'm the jazz singer? Are you kidding? That's amazing, I'm so excited! I don't suppose I can tell the whole world, huh?"
Well, she didn't think I'm a creepy stalker. Part one of the hard stuff is over, now for part two. "I'd rather you didn't just yet. I don't really like details of my books released before they're published. Now here's the hardest part. As the book was coming to me over the past few days, the singer has developed into a bit of a femme fatale, a serial killer really. Now before you say anything, I don't think you possess those traits, it's just how the character came to me. I really hope you're not offended."
"I'm the killer in the fourth Danger book?"
"Not you, just a character that possesses your physical traits and likes to sing. No other correlations."
"That is so freaking sweet! I can't wait for the book to come out so I go up to people and say 'Hey, guess what, that's me!'"
"You're excited to be a serial killer? You are definitely the most interesting and surprising woman I've ever met."
"I'm going to take that as a compliment. Tell me, what's her name?"
"I take no responsibility for the name; I blame it completely on my over-active imagination. I dreamed her name as Susannah Renard. Amelia has already informed me how creepy it is."
"I wouldn't say creepy, I'd say strange coincidence. Besides, no one knows me as Susannah. You wouldn't even know that's my name unless you saw my driver's license. I'm not offended in the slightest way, so stop being nervous and let's order okay?"
Once the waiter saw the couple was no longer involved in what appeared to be a serious conversation, he came over and took their order right away. He returned moments later with the specified bottle of wine and left with the promise their food would be out shortly. Eric poured a glass for Sookie and for himself then raised his glass in a toast.
"To the start of something new."
"To Susannah," Sookie added with a smile, "and to us."
The minutes flew by like seconds as the pair chatted openly about their lives. Eric shared his memories of growing up in Sweden, working at his parent's dance club, and strangely enough, about Felicia. Sookie led him along in the conversation, asking questions that asked him to open up to her but still left him the option of refusing to answer. It felt freeing to him to share the information so willingly. He wanted Sookie in his life, for reasons still unknown to him, and that meant telling her everything.
She answered in kind, describing the simple life that came from being raised in a small town like Bon Temps. She shared the story of her parent's death when she was seven, of how her grandmother raised both her and her brother. She talked about falling in love with Bill at a young age, how they struggled to keep their relationship alive while she was going to college in New Orleans while he stayed closer to home in Shreveport. She mentioned sadly about the passing of her grandmother just a year and a half ago. That combined with four long years of a long distance relationship was the reason she was so willing to move to New York with him at he pursued his legal career.
Their food arrived and they ate and drank in comfortable silence. Eventually, Sookie offered Eric a bite of her dinner, eggplant rollatini and he responded in kind, offering her a bite of his veal parmesan.
"I've never tried veal before. I once asked about it when I was out to eat with Amelia, but she freaked out at me, something about killing innocent baby cows. She isn't a vegetarian or anything, but I guess the idea of eating babies freaks her out. She won't eat lamb either"
"Then I insist you take a bite. It's delicious; I think this is the best I've ever had."
That was Eric's crucial mistake. The minute Sookie's lips wrapped around his fork and the veal hit her tongue, she moaned in delight. The noises this woman makes drive me wild. He was desperate to change the conversation to calm the movement in his pants.
"So, Sookie, what do you do for a living?"
"Well, when Bill and I broke up, I refused to go back home. I had already sold my grandmother's house. I literally didn't have anywhere to go back to. Jason accused me of being stubborn, but I set out on starting a new life in New York and was determined to do it. Just because it no longer included Bill was no reason to go home. Well, Jason rallied the troops and all of a sudden, he was bringing Bon Temps to me. He moved up here along with Amelia and our friend Sam. He had this crazy idea to franchise his gym and convinced Sam to do the same with his family's restaurant, Merlotte's. The four of us found a pretty nice apartment we could all share and afford while we were trying to get the two new businesses started. I had always worked at Merlotte's during the summer so it was natural to go back to work with Sam. He decided that the restaurant business was too competitive here so he opened up a bar instead. He's the owner and head bartender, and I'm the manager and head waitress. Wouldn't you believe it's one of the most popular places in Midtown now? I guess you Northerners really like your down South style bars.
"Speaking of the bar, you wouldn't be interested in going there tonight would you? Some of my friends meet up there every Thursday night and they'd be crushed if I didn't show. If you don't want to, I'd understand."
"I'd love to meet all of your friends. I'm a little low in the friend department as of late and wouldn't mind meeting some new faces."
"Great! I may or may not have already told them that I'd bring you and about how awesome a writer you are."
"Ah, so I wasn't the only one to withhold some information," Eric questioned playfully.
"No, I guess that's why I didn't overreact; knowing I was guilty of it too. I was just so excited to actually meet you; I had to tell all my friends about it."
"I'm just kidding around, to be honest; Amelia told me you wanted to invite me along. I've known about it since Monday."
"That little sneak! Did you know she also lied about being busy every night! When we got back to our apartment after lunch, she confessed. Worst part is, to avoid the argument, she grabbed her dog, Bob and went to the dog park. I think she's working against us."
"It's actually the complete opposite, Sookie. She knew I was heading to the dog park and wanted to meet me there to talk a bit more. She's working with us, pushing us together, by forcing you to spend time with me alone."
"Oh, she definitely had to force me into going on a date with you, Eric. This is a date, right? I haven't been on one in a while; I might be a little out of practice."
"You and me both. How about we order some dessert; something sweet to end our meal?"
"The tiramisu here is to die for. But you didn't answer my question, is this a first date?"
He took her hand from across the table and began tracing small patterns on her palm with his thumb. He loved the way her hand looked in his. "I think it's a spectacular first date."
She smiled at him, looking across the table, their near identically blue eyes connecting with something deeper behind them. "I think I can declare this the best first date I've ever been on."
They ordered a slice of tiramisu to share and it was brought to the table a few minutes later. Eric and Sookie began on opposite ends but soon found their way to the last bite. Neither wanted to be rude and take it so they shared an awkward laugh. Sookie scooped it on her fork, making it appear as though she was going to eat it herself, before holding the fork in front of his lips for him to take. She was mimicking his movements from earlier, taking the opportunity to feed him. He tried to look as sensual as she had taking the bite but in the last minute, she raised the fork, getting whipped cream all over his nose. It was completely worth looking like a fool for the delightful giggle it drew from her lips.
The waiter brought the check over and handed it to Eric. Sookie looked as if she was about to offer to pay her share, but the look Eric gave her told her that he wanted to handle it. As independent as she was, she was raised to allow a gentleman to treat to dinner while dating. He helped her back into her coat just for the chance for his fingertips to brush against her skin again. He had been an island for the past few years and suddenly found he craved the physical human contact.
They hailed a taxi and Sookie gave the driver the address for Merlotte's North. They sat on opposite ends of the bench seat but soon Eric craved her touch again. He gently pulled her hand from its place in her lap and laced his fingers through hers. She looked to him with a smile on her face, but when her eyes met his, she realized he was deep in thought and there was something almost sad about the look he gave her.
"Is something wrong, Eric? You don't look happy anymore."
"This is going too easily. Nothing in life can be this easy, feel this right so quickly."
"Sometimes things are just meant to be, you know? Life has dealt us both some pretty crappy hands. When things start to go right and I'm happy, I've learned not to question it but accept it as life trying to balance out all the bad with some good."
The smile finally reached Eric's eyes again and Sookie could tell he enjoyed her explanation. He answered, "I think we're both owed a ton of good at this point."
The cab pulled up in front of the bar, but before Eric could pull out his wallet, Sookie handed the driver a few bills, beating him to the punch. He wanted to argue but Sookie shot him a look similar to the one he flashed her at the restaurant. He relented and followed her out of the car through the front door. His ears were assaulted with the twangs of country music and the normal sounds of a neighborhood bar. Sookie's hand found his again as she led him through the early crowd.
I guess it's now or never.
A/N2: Oh, I am definitely the evil author who cut this chapter right there. I contemplated including the entire date at once, but it would have doubled my standard chapter size. I opted, with some beta centered advice, to cut the date in two chapters. What type of shenanigans will occur at Merlotte's North? Who will be there to meet the new happy couple? Will any familiar faces show up unexpectedly? I hope to have the next chapter thrown together soon!!
