She spent more than an hour getting ready. Correction, she spent more than an hour dressing up and putting on makeup, not to count the time she spent showering, making her hair look natural but pretty, doing her nails all over again because the color of the previous ones was a bit scratched at the ends.

Gillian always looked good - classy but attractive at the same time, but that night she was finding it hard to pick out a good outfit. Some dresses were too tight (they were going to a dinner, so it would look good until the meal has come, but after that... not so much), some were too formal and some were too casual. In the end, she decided that a pencil skirt and a blouse would be the most fitting, pointing out the curves they should and hiding the ones that the meal would ruin a bit, with the high heels she had on her most of the time anyway.

On the other end of the town, Cal was just finishing with work, having noticed that Gillian had left less than an hour after they decided to go out for dinner. He couldn't blame her, she wasn't officially working there yet and she needed time to get ready (every woman did). It just made him wonder why she would take so much time off for something so innocent as a strictly professional dinner. Actually, it brought out a smile on his lips, knowing it was because of him. Even if she didn't want to admit it, it was because of him.

~7pm~

It was almost painful how accurate he was being.

She spent the last 20 minutes sitting, getting up, checking on her makeup and hair, sitting again and turning the TV on and off because she didn't want to get distracted.

And he spent the last 5 minutes sitting in the car, knowing it was going to drive her crazy. Before their slip a year ago, they could hug and kiss and do everything friends did, but now they were back to that pre-dating stage where everything was awkward and painful to even watch. So he decided to make it even worse for her.

Knocking on the wooden door, he prepared the flowers he got her on his way there. The moment the door opened, he pushed the flowers through the opening before even letting her do it fully. What he got in return was a surprised laugh, and a hug at the entrance. And it was her fault. Because when he wrapped his hands around her waist, when he felt her hands around his shoulder, gently touching his neck, he almost lost it. Almost. The worst part about it was that he could have sworn he felt her heart racing against his chest as well. But the bloody line could not be crossed again. He almost lost her once, he couldn't afford himself to lose her again. Not yet, at least. Even though a year has passed, it still felt fresh - the night they found comfort in each other because of Alec and Zoe. Or maybe they were just some poor excuses for them to do what they desperately wanted to. Either way, it was too soon.

"You're right on time." She said, taking the flowers and looking at them suspiciously. "These still don't make this a date." She joked, and Cal's eyes reflected relief. Maybe things didn't have to be so damn odd all the time. Maybe they could establish the relationship they once had again.

"I'm too good looking for you, love." He smirked, motioning to the outside, eager to sit down with her and have a talk after all this time.

Her laugher filled the air and she quickly put the flowers on the side, locking the door after them.

"I missed this."

"Me too." Their eyes locked, bodies dangerously close and he forced himself to look away and lead the way. "Let's hurry up. We don't wanna miss our reservation, do we?"

~7:39pm~

They walked into the small restaurant Gillian never noticed before. It wasn't close to her house or work, so that might have affected her lack of information about it. But all in all it looked nice.

Walls were covered in some pale color, not quite orange, but not quite pink, something like a mix of both with a lot of white. And maybe a bit of yellow.

Tables were small, but well made. They were black and round, with chairs of the same color but not the same simplicity. The back of chairs was filled with shapes of flowers and butterflies.

Waiters had the black and white uniforms - black pants and white shirts, with a black bowtie. Each of them nodded politely as a silent greeting.

It wasn't what she expected. It wasn't what she expected at all. She thought he was going to bring her to a cute restourant they used to go together from time to time where they had a really good pizza and the waiters weren't that bad. But this was... A pleasant surprise to say at least.

"This looks..."

"I know." He lowered his hand to the small of her back and urged her a bit forward until his hand and her body started moving as if they were one. Then he pulled out a chair for her, as any gentlemen would, and sat across her.

"Wanna throw a quick look at the menu? And then we can talk about... Whatever it is you wanted to talk about on a strictly professional dinner." Her lips formed a smile and, at his relief, it reached her eyes. A smile is never honest unles the eyes smile with the lips.

"Sure."