Chapter 4

Friday night. Date night. I was smiling from ear to ear humming along to the radio in my car as I drove to work for the lunch shift, I liked the lunch shift because I didn't have to deal with as many drunks, and people were friendlier, to my face and in their heads. Maybe it was something to do with the sunshine making people happy or maybe it was because they were full, I don't know. The only down side were the tips, they were never as good. I wondered absently if I could suggest they tip a little more. I decided against it in the end (unless they were real jerks).

I was still in my own world thinking about a certain Viking Vampire when I saw Holly walking in the back entrance of Merlotte's I caught up with her.

"Hey" I said "How's Hoyt?" she had been going out with my brothers best friend for some time now, she wasn't used to a guy as nice as Hoyt, and he was great with her son, a natural father if ever I saw one.

"Sookie, you haven't been reading my mind have you?" she asked surprise and mild shock in her voice.

"No, why?" I asked "sorry, I was just wondering you guys have been going out a while is all" I was surprised that she would think that, Holly was a wiccan a fellow member of the lesser supernatural community, so of course she knew about my ability. "Honestly Holly, of late I've gotten a lot better at keeping my shields up, I only listen in if I'm scared of trouble, I wouldn't intentionally listen in on a friend".

"I'm sorry Sookie I shouldn't have assumed, I was just thinking of Hoyt as you mentioned him" she smiled slowly, "I kinda have news and I think you and Sam should be the first I tell".

We walked into Sam's office together. "Sam" holly said quietly, he looked up from his desk where he seemed to be reading something intently on his laptop (I didn't realise he had one).

"Hey, you two look like women on a mission" he smiled, as he closed his laptop, his hair was getting longer the tangled halo of his red gold hair looking wilder than ever.

"Holly has something to tell us" I said, smiling encouragingly at her.

"Well, as you both know I've been going with Hoyt for some time now and well..." she paused trying to get her mind in order "last night, Hoyt asked me to marry him and I said yes".

"Oh that's fantastic I said as I hugged her. Sam came round from behind his desk and did the same. Holly pulled her left hand from out of her bundled up coat and showed us a very nice ring. (Hoyt must have been saving for some time)

"Pheweeeh" I whistled "That is quite possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen" I grinned, (not my usual fake grin either) "Good Lord, it's blinding" Sam joked good naturedly.

"Anyway, Sookie, I was wondering, would you be my maid of honour? And do you think Amelia would consider being a bridesmaid?" Holly asked hopefully. I was touched.

"Of course, I'd love to, do you guys know when you wanna get hitched?" I asked.

"Actually" she answered "we were hoping next month, you don't think that's too soon, do you?"

"It might be a stretch but if it's only a small wedding it's doable" I tried to sound reassuring, although part of me wondered if there was a reason they were getting married in a hurry.

"Hoyt's mom's not been feeling too well of late, much as she tries to deny it" Holly admitted. For a second I wondered if Holly was telepathic.

"Well you could have the reception here, and I'll give you a discount on the food and drink" Sam offered, we both beamed at him.

"Hey, does this mean I get to throw you a bachelorette party?" I asked grinning, I had little idea about what it entailed, but I could ask Amelia and even Pam for advice. Or even Eric, he was amazingly insightful when it came to women. I got a bit dreamy eyed thinking about him, and it occurred to me that Eric was also a good friend, as well as a lover.

"Glad that's sorted" Sam laughed. "Anymore news?"

"Well Sookie was humming on her way to work" Holly smiled at me, "am I right in guessing a guy is behind the good mood? She asked, obviously glad her new maid of honour was so cheery.

"Actually there is" I blushed furiously "You remember Eric?"

"The big blonde Vamp?" she asked eye's wide. She might have her doubts about me dating another Vamp, but she didn't voice them, if anything she looked admiring, then again most women, no matter their preference looked at Eric twice.

"You know what I think about Vampires, but I know Eric cares about you, and you two have a blood bond now, so I'm happy you're happy" Sam offered unexpectedly.

"Thanks Sam" it was the third time I'd been surprised today. I hoped any other surprises the day held would be equally as pleasant.

"Right time to work girls" Sam ushered us towards the door as the beautiful woman from the other day walked into the office. Holly and I weren't going anywhere this was too interesting.

"Rachel" Sam blushed, "I thought you weren't coming back until tonight?"

"I got bored" she replied her accent was English, Yorkshire to be specific (I only recognised it from a show on BBC America) she looked wild today, like a caged animal, which I guess she was, given her Shifter status. She smiled at Holly and I. "Who are these lovely ladies? She asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Rachel, this is Sookie and Holly, they're friends of mine, and they work for me" I liked the way he said that, like we were friends first them employee's.

"Pleased to meet you" Holly and I said in unison.

"Likewise" she replied "Sam and I are old friends" she added since it seemed Sam was unwilling to give any explanation. Curiouser and curiouser. Holly and I scooted out of there and into the bar.

As I took a sweep of the room I noticed that my section was where the majority of the shifters had chosen to sit. I figured that was due to my friend of the pack status. They were never afraid, supernatural strength and speed as well as a nose for trouble gave them the upper hand, but they did seem more alert since their own revelation a couple of weeks ago.

The hours passed quickly, occasionally there was a lull so Holly and I would speculate about the nature of Sam's old friend. Seven pm and I was out of there, glowing with pride at being asked to be maid of honour, glad Sam wasn't angry I'd decided to date Eric and even happier that I'd be seeing my Viking Vampire in a couple of hours.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I ran into my room as soon as I got home, I showered quickly, I couldn't get distracted thinking about that shower with Eric. Amelia (as usual), wandered into my room as I was once again debating what to wear.

"Do you know where tall, blonde, and dead is taking you?" she asked.

"He phoned me the other night, to say he'd pick me up at nine, we were going somewhere fun" I responded frowning slightly. I was pacing about the room wracking my brain.

"He's a thousand years old, what does he consider somewhere fun?" Amelia wondered aloud.

"I don't know, fishing? Canoeing? I know he can dance, so maybe a skirt that swishes?"

"Well, he's a fit guy" she began.

"What has my Vampire's looks got to do with..." I cut in before she could finish.

"I just mean he looks like he enjoys active things, like sports, so maybe don't wear anything that'll hurt your feet." She shot me a sly look "My Vampire hmm I think he's rubbing off on you.

I picked up three quarter length thin cotton top with a V-neck it was a jade green colour that made my hair stand out and highlighted my boobs in a subtle way. I found a black pair of jeans and a pair of summery shoes with a small wedge heel.

"What do you think?" I asked.

"Not bad, comfortable, casual but cute" she smiled, then she narrowed her eyes "then again I did buy a sweater only fit for cat bedding" she added sticking her tongue out at me. We both laughed and I was pleased with my outfit choice. It was at times like these that I was glad I had a roommate. I started to feel warm and content, Eric was on his way. "Good luck, by the way, with the mental show and tell".

"Thanks, I hope it works" I started wondering what to show him first.

Bang on nine, there was a knock at the door. Eric. Looking drop dead gorgeous (pardon the pun). He was also in dark jeans, but he had on a plain black shirt that seemed to have been cut just for him, he looked delicious. I could feel his happiness through the bond and I'm sure he could feel mine.

"So, where are we going" I'd been burning with curiosity all day. He smiled at me looking more like his old self.

"Bowling, I thought it would be a fun first date, although..." he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively "I could think of much more enjoyable physical activities" his eyes danced in the dim kitchen light. I was actually speechless for a second, before adding.

"Maybe later" I winked at him. Two could play at this game. He looked very pleased.

"My lady" he said bowing theatrically as he held the door open for me. I was guessing he wanted us to leave before he got too pleased.

This looked set to be a very interesting evening indeed.

(Sorry this is kinda short, it should be twice the length, but I didn't post for a couple of days, so I thought I'd a short one, the next chapter should be up tomorrow. Chapter 5 see's Sookie and Eric's date, Amelia messing with magic, and a fun twist. Oh and look out for the famous vampire revelation)