For the second time, Daphne searched through her closet, desperate to find something appropriate to wear. It's just dinner! She told herself over and over. After all

she'd been to dinner with men lots of times. But her heart knew better. This wasn't just any man...This was Niles.

At the thought of him, sudden warmth filled her and she pulled a pink flowered skirt and a matching pink sweater from the closet. ; Not too dressy but not too casual

either. A quick spray of her favorite perfume and a final touch up of her hair and she was ready to go. She took a deep breath and walked into the living room.

"Wow, look at you!" Martin exclaimed, admiring her appearance. "Must be some date!"

"Mr. Crane, you know very well that Niles is just takin' me to dinner. He just wanted to say thank you. And if you ask me, he's goin' a bit too far. I mean, I didn't do

anything. Just gave him some insight on me psychic visions."

"Well it seemed to be pretty special to him!" Martin said.

A sudden anxiety consumed Daphne as began to pace the living room, much to Martin's amusement.

"I feel like a father waiting for my daughter's date to pick her up for the Senior Prom!" Martin laughed.

"Mr. Crane!" Daphne said; her cheeks flushing with color.

The doorbell rang, causing her heart to skip a beat.

"Oh God. He's here."

Martin smiled. "You really like him, don't you?"

"I'll just be gettin' the door." Daphne said, not bothering to answer his question.

She opened the door, her breath catching in her throat. He was devastatingly handsome in a dark suit with a blue print tie.

"Hey Niles! Wow! You look pretty spiffy! New suit?" Martin asked.

But Niles didn't answer...

"Niles!" his father yelled, in an attempt to get his son's attention.

Niles tore his gaze away from Daphne. "What? Oh. I'm sorry, Dad. I was just..."

"Hello, Dr. Crane. You look very handsome."

"Thank you, Daphne. You look..."

Daphne couldn't help but smile when she noticed him looking her up and down. Her heart warmed at the unspoken compliment. "Thank you, Dr. Crane."

"I've reserved a table for us at the new Italian restaurant at Westlake; Tucci Benucch."

"Wow! That's a really fancy place! Saw an ad for it in the paper just this morning!" Martin exclaimed. "It's supposed to be really romantic." He added, smiling at his son.

"Dad, what are you getting at?" Niles asked. "I'm merely thanking Daphne for helping my patient; albeit inadvertently."

"Whatever you say, Son." Martin said, chuckling to himself.

"Well, shall we go?" Niles said, ignoring his dad's grin.

"Have a good time, kids!" Martin called to them as they walked out the door.

"God, that was embarrassing!" Niles said with a sigh as he pushed the call button for the elevator.

"Are you talkin' about your father? He was very well-behaved actually." Daphne said. "Believe me, if I told you some of the things he talks about when we're doin' his

exercises; you'd be hidin under the sofa cushion like Eddie does!"

Niles laughed. "Imagine, Dad thinking that I picked the restaurant just because it was..."

"Romantic?" Daphne finished.

The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside.

"I just love romantic restaurants, don't you, Dr. Crane?" Daphne asked.

"Um... yes, but Daphne, I really didn't meant to imply that-."

"The music, the candles... staring into each other's eyes across the table."

Niles tugged on his silk tie. "My, it's... really getting warm in here, isn't it? Wonder what's taking this elevator so long to... oh... I... guess it would help if I pushed the

button for the lobby now wouldn't it?"

"Dr. Crane, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you were feelin' a bit nervous."

"Nervous? Um... no. I'm just... Oh look! Here we are in the lobby."

Daphne smiled. "So we are."

Nat King Cole's smooth voice drifted from the radio as the BMW pulled out of the parking garage and onto the street. "Oh I love this song!" Daphne said. "It's so

romantic. Don't you think so, Dr. Crane?"

"What?"

"The song. It's romantic, isn't it?"

"Oh right... the song. Yes... it certainly is." Niles replied.

"You are nervous, aren't you?" Daphne asked, unable to resist grinning.

"Nervous?" Niles repeated. "Well, now that you mention it, I might be a bit nervous, although it's ridiculous."

"I must say I'm flattered, Dr. Crane, but we're just having dinner together. We're friends, right?"

"Friends... of course." Niles replied.

It was then that Daphne noticed the tiny sting of disappointment when Niles agreed with her, and she wondered where it had come from.