Summary – Things become clear to the men and Mercer isn't nearly as amused as Tommy.

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'Friends'

Mercer

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(Dinner and 30 min. of arguing later)

"Well if they didn't set us up because you're lonely or because I'm a bit under the weather then why would they go to all this trouble?" I still think it's because they're worried about him. It's really the only logical explanation.

"Pardon me, can I interest you or your date in any dessert tonight?" What? He planned this, he must have planned this because no one else would put me through such hell.

Looking sharply at the smiling waitress, I don't have time to correct her as my apparent 'date' begins coughing, having taken his drink down the wrong way. Moving quickly and rubbing his back to help, it's only when I catch the woman's soft exclamation of 'aw' do I realize how this must look.

Realizing it himself and pulling away Tommy gets control of his coughs before shooting her a look. "This is not a date and if it is then you can bring me a piece of cake and him the check."

"Thomas…" Tone warning him to be quiet I recall too late why I should never use that with him.

Raising eyes to me at the double offence of using his full first name and in that tone of voice, his sudden smirk tells me I'm going to pay and severely. "Oh Merc don't be such a worrier, you know I'm just teasing. Lord only knows what you'd do without me around to keep your life interesting and your needs met." I'm going to kill him. Looking back to the now surprised, but clearly amused waitress he gives her a winning smile. "You know I think I will have a slice of chocolate cake, after all he's treating." Oh he will pay dearly for this.

"Coming right up." Bouncing off to retrieve his dessert her silence will no doubt have to be bought by my lawyers before the night is out and tomorrow's newspaper features me and my 'date' as the lead story.

"You are the most immature person I have ever had the displeasure of knowing." The hissed comment is said between clenched teeth and I swear I'm far too close to putting my steak knife through his hand.

"Aw come on, don't want to disappoint the kids now do you?" What?

"What, dare I ask, are you going on about now?" I should leave him here, stick him with the full bill. Of course I know he can't afford it on his meager salary. Damn him, looks like I will be picking up the check.

Fixing me with a 'duh' look, he takes a drink. "Don't you get it? She practically spelled it out for us. I mean just think about it. The kids setting us up, Trent telling you I'm lonely and bringing up how you are to me. Then them all poking around into my past with you. Throw in a decent restaurant, the fuss over us being alone. We're on date, Merc like it or not." No, no, no he can't be right. He's clearly reading far too much into this. My son wouldn't do this to me.

As a plate is set down between us, holding a piece of chocolate cake, the girl is still looking too bubbly and happy. "Here you are, one piece of cake and two forks." Damn it, he's right."

"Excuse me, I hope you don't mind me asking but what led you to believe this was a date? Just curious if we're obvious or something." Must you press it, Thomas?

Smiling and shaking her head she at least doesn't seem bothered by the matter. "Your friends mentioned it. Asked me to make sure everything went perfect for you both." I hate it when he's right.

"How considerate of them. I'll have to remember to thank them properly tomorrow." You and me both. Taking a bite of his cake, he is certainly taking this well.

"Why are you not bothered by this?" How can they think I was involved with him? Especially back then he was barely more then a child when I first met him, plus working for me, don't they realize how inappropriate any such thing would have been.

Shrugging and continuing to eat the chocolate mess, I really would feel better if he was more bothered. "They meant well, besides what does it matter to you if they think we were together? I mean if anyone should be insulted it should be me." Excuse me?

"What?"

"Yeah, here you'd get some hot guy in his twenties and what would I get? A stuffy, boring, old business man, that's what. Way I see it I'd be doing you a favor letting you bed me." Why that little self-centered, egotistical brat.

"Is that right?" Picking up a fork and having a bite of his cake, I ignore the curious look this earns me. "Well then Thomas, don't do me any favors."

To be continued……….