beckyboogle, Ethan doesn't usually run away screaming when faced with ill people, but there's a first time for everything! I couldn't resist putting in the bit about the ballet dancer. Thank you for your review!
Tato Potato, you'll see the first part of the date in this chapter, but there is more to come! Thank you for your review.
CBloom2, thank you for your review. You could be right about someone being ill on the first date - perhaps it's just as well Cal and Ethan are doctors!
X-Sammii-X, thank you for your review - I'm really happy you like it. I'm sure Cal has no idea how much like a ballet dancer he is already...
Tanith Panic, just about anything can cause mayhem when I'm around! Just ask anyone who's met me. Thank you for your review.
ETWentHome, thank you for your review. The blood results really could cause a lot of trouble! Though they are both admirably placed if they require medical help.
Cal couldn't stop smiling all day. Everyone assumed it was because he'd had a good night the night before and he decided they weren't exactly wrong. Even though he'd been alone in his bed, he'd been very happy and he'd dreamed of Sarah all night long.
He asked Ethan if he'd dreamed of Emma all night long. Ethan forbore to answer, though his blush told Cal everything he needed to know.
At last, seven o'clock arrived. Cal got changed and made his way out to the front of the hospital. To his delight, Sarah was getting out of the taxi. He enjoyed the sight, especially when she left something inside the taxi and had to bend over to get it, but he had a feeling it might be a good idea if he didn't tell Sarah how much he enjoyed it.
She turned and their eyes met. It was actually some minutes before Cal realised he hadn't even checked out her cleavage yet. For the first time in his life, Cal actually had trouble dragging his eyes downwards. She was wearing a short dress, heels and she had her hair loose. She looked stunning.
I've really landed on my feet this time, he thought happily. Though I hope I'll be landing on my back at the end of the night.
Sarah cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted to him. "So, are you going to stand there and perve on me all night?"
"Definitely!" he shouted back, before almost running to meet her. "Though I'd rather do it from up close."
"It's less strain on the eyes that way," said Sarah.
Cal kissed her on the cheek. "My eyes feel more dazzled than strained. You look gorgeous! I thought you were hot when I saw you in the hospital, but now…"
"Now, what?" said Sarah.
"Now, you look incredible," said Cal softly. He smiled and posed slightly as he waited for her to return the compliment.
Sarah looked at him sympathetically. "Stiff neck?"
"No!" Cal hurriedly rearranged his pose. "I just thought, you know, that you might like to tell me how hot I look."
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Sarah. "I assumed you'd told yourself that already. Probably more than once."
Cal felt a little bit embarrassed as he realised she was probably right, but he was still smiling. "Wait till you see my car. It's a two-seater."
"Really? What a relief!" said Sarah.
Cal put his arm loosely around her shoulders. "You like two-seaters, then?"
"What I like is men who aren't obsessed with getting busy in the back seat," said Sarah. "But as you don't even have a back seat, you're obviously not like that at all!"
Ethan parked his car outside Emma's house. He checked his appearance nervously in the mirror and wished he hadn't. No matter how often he looked, he never started looking like Cal.
He took his glasses off to see if that made an improvement. He decided it did. All he could see now was a blur and that was a definite improvement.
But he knew he wouldn't get very far without being able to see. He'd only trip over or try to kiss the wrong girl.
If he was brave enough to kiss Emma. He really wasn't sure about that yet.
He returned his glasses to his face, made a point of not looking in the mirror, and got out of the car. There was a nervous fluttering inside his stomach and his heart was thumping hard enough for him to feel it. He brushed his hands down the suit he'd changed into after his shift (in the interests of ensuring his confidence didn't drop even lower, he hadn't let Cal see the suit) and breathed deeply a couple of times.
You can do this, Ethan. Just be yourself… or on second thoughts, don't be yourself. She might like you better as someone else.
He looked at his watch and was horrified to discover it was 7.31. He was never late. He ran to the door and rang the bell.
Emma opened it before he'd lowered his hand from the bell. What a coincidence that he'd rung the bell just when she'd happened to be standing right beside the door.
"Hello, Ethan," said Emma, barely audibly.
"Hello, Emma," said Ethan.
They stared at one another. Ethan started to feel a bit wobbly. He hoped he wasn't ill.
"You look beautiful," said Ethan.
"So do you," breathed Emma. A horrified look came over her face. "No, handsome! I mean handsome!"
"Either way: thank you very much," said Ethan.
"And thank you," said Emma. "For saying I'm beautiful. And for coming to pick me up. It's really nice of you. I just don't know if I should go."
Ethan was so disappointed, he couldn't speak for a moment or two. "We don't have to go out if you don't want to."
"No, I do want to," said Emma. "I want to go out more than anything. It's just I've got a sore throat. I wouldn't want to infect you."
Ethan smiled. "If I was worried about things like that, I'd be in the wrong job. My only concern is whether you're well enough to go out. I'm very happy to stay in – or to postpone it till you're feeling better."
"No, I feel fine," said Emma. "I was just worried about you."
"There's no need," said Ethan. He thought about taking her hand but didn't quite dare. "But will you promise to let me know if you start to feel ill?"
Emma looked reluctant, but then she nodded. "Okay."
"Now let's both hope you won't have to, for your sake." Ethan turned and gestured towards the car. "Shall we?"
He stood back to let Emma go ahead of him. This messed up his plan of opening the car door for Emma, but his consolation was that she was smiling as though she really didn't mind.
Cal took Sarah to a lovely restaurant with attentive waiting staff and lovely food. Sarah really enjoyed herself. Cal told her a bit of his career, dwelling particularly on moments such as rescuing girls from a limousine that was hanging off the side of a bridge.
Sarah was deeply impressed by his courage, but as she was less impressed by his modesty, she kept these thoughts to herself and displayed only moderate enthusiasm.
If Cal was disappointed, he hid it very well.
Sarah hoped that Cal might display some interest in her life, but he was still talking about himself when the meal came to an end. Cal summoned the waiter and asked for the bill.
"I'll pay, of course," said Cal.
"I'm glad to hear it," said Sarah. "A gentleman should always pay for his own meal. But if you think you're going to pay for mine, you've got another think coming."
Cal looked a bit surprised. "Why don't you want me to pay for your meal? I don't usually get complaints."
"It just doesn't seem fair," said Sarah. "We don't even know if we like each other yet."
"I know I like you!" said Cal, a hurt expression on his face.
Sarah, touched despite herself, touched Cal's hand. "And I like you too, but this is our first date and I don't know you well enough to be sure you won't want something in return for a free meal."
"You pay me back with your company," said Cal.
Sarah laughed. "You do say the lines very well, Cal, but couldn't you think of something a bit more original?"
"I'm not being unoriginal." Cal slid his hand along the table towards hers. "I really do mean every word."
"How many times have you said that before?" said Sarah.
Cal's eyes held hers. "I haven't said it for a very long time. I had my heart broken five or six months ago. There hasn't really been anyone since."
Sarah looked at him suspiciously, but he did seem genuine. A lot more genuine than he seemed when he was dolling out clichés. "I suppose I should be honoured."
"No," said Cal, as he captured her hand in his. His eyes and voice were passionate. "I'm the one who's honoured."
Sarah couldn't help it. She started to laugh.
Ethan smiled at Emma over the top of his menu. "So, what would you like?"
You, thought Emma, and quickly sunk her eyes below her menu before he could embarrass her to death by reading her mind.
Doctors probably could do that.
"What would you recommend?" said Emma, under the pretence of examining the menu. "Maybe something with Vitamin C in it?"
"It is very important to ensure you have Vitamin C in your diet," said Ethan, "but in actual fact, Vitamin C does very little to shorten or decrease the effects of a cold. According to a 2007 study, if you take Vitamin C every day, an adult suffers from a cold for approximately eleven days a year. Without it, the average is twelve days. So you see, it makes very little difference and, if taken in large quantities, Vitamin C can actually be harmful, producing various effects such as stomach pain and… and things I don't think I should be discussing at the dinner table."
Emma gazed at him in delight.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" said Ethan, going adorably red. "I'm lecturing you again, aren't I?"
"No, I think it's really interesting!" said Emma. "So, what should I eat?"
"Nothing too hot as this could irritate your throat further," said Ethan. "Something cool and soft is probably best."
"Oh, something like you then," said Emma without thinking.
Then she cringed and put her menu over her place again.
"Thank you," said Ethan. "I don't think anyone's ever said I was cool before."
Emma didn't want to embarrass himself, but she also didn't want Ethan to feel sad. "Some people don't like stating the obvious."
"That's very true," said Ethan, though his smile told Emma he didn't think it was true in his case. He gestured towards her menu. "Seen anything you fancy?"
Yes: you! "How about a salad?" said Emma.
Ethan shook his head. "Raw fruits and vegetables aren't a good idea for sore throats. They're quite acidic. But there's a nice creamed soup you could have, or mashed potatoes or scrambled eggs are quite good."
Emma smiled shyly at him. "Thank you, Ethan. I think I'll try the soup."
"Good choice," said Ethan. "It really is souper."
Emma didn't stop laughing for ages.