THE COP asked Robin, "A date to where?"
"The AIDS Charity Ball this weekend. It's black tie. Pick me up at seven." She started to walk past him, her nerves were beginning to give out and she just wanted this to be done.
His fingers slid around her wrist, gently stilling her.
"Doc, you sure about this? You seem..."
Softly, looking in his eyes, she said "I'm sure."
"Okay then. You got yourself a date." He released her hand.
"This is just as friends, though? Maybe I should have said that first. I'm not looking for ... a commitment." Robin let out a short laugh. What a switch, she was the one giving the no strings warning for once.
He smiled and told her, " I think we should see how the date goes before we have The Talk. Don't you?"
"See you Saturday, Cruz." Robin opened the door to the interrogation room and walked out, swinging her hips a little more than necessary for his benefit.
The DARK HAIRED HUNK asked Liz, "Could I steal you away for a moment?".
"I guess." she answered, unsure of what he might want with her. She said to her son, "Stay with Aunt Lulu. Mommy will be right back."
They stepped outside of Kelly's. The man said, "I checked the hospital for you but they said you were already off."
"And why would you be looking for me?"
"Because I need a date to the Charity Ball."
Liz took a step back. "Huh? What could that have to do with me?"
"Well, I thought we might have a nice time. You're single now, right?"
She nodded, a look of confusion on her face. Last week she had a conversation with this man, telling him off basically. Telling him to stop messing with the mind of someone she cared about.
Now he wanted a date?
"Are you a glutton for punishment?" she asked "I thought I made it clear I do not like you."
"You did."
"Or appreciate your tactics."
"Yeah, I remember you saying something about that."
She furrowed her brow. "And that made you want me?"
"Did I say I want you?" He smiled. "Wishful thinking, Elizabeth?"
She decided to dispel that notion right away. "Listen, I have a kid. You saw that adorable little boy in there, right? And I have a full time job. And a husband that is almost my ex, as soon as the papers go through. So my life is a pretty stressful right now and the last thing I need is you coming here to play games with me."
"Fine." he shrugged "It was just an idea. I can see you are not interested..." he smiled at her " so I'll go then..."
He took a few steps across the courtyard.
Liz imagined the bar bill if she lost the bet. Her friends would let her out of paying but that would make her feel like the poor pathetic broke one among the trust fund baby and doctors.
"Wait!" she called out, her voice frustrated.
He slowly turned. A smug expression decorating his features.
She drug out each word, "Ugh, I will go with you, Peter."
He winked. "It's Pete."
THE SWEET GUY gave Emily a smile. She swallowed hard.
"Did you come here to talk to-?" he started to ask.
Emily broke in, "I came to talk to you."
"About?"
"Are you working on Saturday night?" She smiled in what she hoped was a flirty way.
Panic flew into his eyes."Why?"
She sighed. This was not going well at all. She walked closer, taking in his trusting face, sensitive eyes. He seemed so...good. Yes, this was the guy she wanted to take her to the Ball.
The only problem was he was looking at her like she just beamed down from Mars.
"I need a favor," she started
"Anything."
Smiling, she said "Be my date."
"But that!"
Her face fell."Oh, oh...okay. Sorry. I shouldn't have asked."
Idiot. He practically screamed no, she thought.
He said, "You know if we dated, that would be complicated, Emily."
"It's just one night. The Charity Ball on Saturday. It would be for a good cause."
Stop begging. Geez! He said no, she berated herself.
Emily had never had to look for a date before. This was all new to her, and painfully awkward. She didn't know how to do this. But he seemed like a good Starter Guy. Like a Starter House. Something to test the waters with before the forever one.
But even he didn't want her.
He said, "I think it might get me killed to go out with you."
"Don't be silly."
"You know Jason and Sonny well. But I know a different side of them."
"Let me handle my brother. And Sonny has no say in my life anymore. Besides, he's an honorable man. You have nothing to worry about. If that is the real reason you are hesitating. But if it's me..."
"It's not you." His eyes met hers. She shivered, something she didn't think this man could inspire her to do.
She had liked the fact that he seemed safe. There was no way she would fall for him.
He took a step closer. She got a better look at his eyes, so sweet she could get lost in them
"Hello, Emily, good to see you."
She spun around and saw Sonny grinning at her.
"Hi, I came to see Michael." she lied "But he's not here so I should go." She turned around and said to her potential date. " Call me if... anything changes. With Michael being home, I mean."
Emily knew that sounded lame. This whole thing had been a disaster. She back-stepped out of the room while the two men gave her odd looks.
She left the house and was in her car driving to work, thinking about how she had seen in his eyes a look that said he did want her. Then she wondered if she had imagined that.
She thought, I guess I should look for another date. Jax? Nope, he's stuck like glue to Carly. And she claws eyes when women get near her guy. Maybe Patrick? No, Robin would hate that. Hmmm. Lucky? No, Liz would so not go for that idea. Why does every single guy in this town have to be the ex of one of my friends?
Her cell phone rang. She answered it.
"Still looking for a date?" he asked
She smiled from ear to ear. "Feeling braver now? I thought I was off limits due to some man code."
"Well, I decided I will risk it."
"Good."
"So, Saturday?"
"Right. It's formal. I'll meet you there at eight."
"I'll pick you up."
She thought of her grandfather's face, his bellowing about gangsters. "No, that would be a bad idea."
"I pick up my dates, Emily. And I pay, so leave your wallet at home. Plus, I drive and I make sure you get back safely."
"Lots of rules. Is there one about if I am allowed to have fun?"
"My lifestyle doesn't always leave much room for that. You still want to go on this date?"
"I'm up for it, if you are, Milo."
"I might be crazy but I'm going to say yes." Milo answered.
"Be at my place at 7:30." She hung up and then, smiling, she cheered "Yes!"