Perfect Valentine Chapter 19

EPOV

Sookie slept quietly in my arms. I took this as a sign she is less worried about the evening's events than I. I tried to downplay the bit about Crystal showing up, but in the back of my mind, I was worried there was more to it than coincidence. I lay awake, recalling what I could of that night years ago.

When I was younger, in college, I often went out partying and drank too much. Thankfully I always had buddies who kept me somewhat in line, helping me avoid the scandals they knew my father feared so. Alcide had taken that role when I foolishly reverted to earlier behavior on this particular occasion. He was pretty high himself, but (according to his recollection) not as far gone as I was. He recognized how dangerously close I was to making a big mistake, and intervened. Unfortunately, not quite soon enough. The girl in question had gotten the impression I was really interested, not just looking for a diversion for the night. She'd made herself known to me in various ways for a couple of weeks. I managed to shake her finally, but now it was coming back to haunt me, as were Dad's words, "Believe me when I tell you, Eric, getting drunk in public, especially if women are involved can cause you a world of trouble down the line. Just keep it in your pants, son."

He'd made his point, and I'd been more careful since then. I wanted to think there was nothing to this, but my mind just wouldn't let it go. Well after three o'clock, I finally fell asleep. When the alarm went off I pulled the covers over my head, and turned away from Sookie. I just had to get a few more minutes' rest before facing the day.

"You okay?" she asked softly, rubbing my head through the sheet. "Not sick are you?"

"Nnn, just sleepy. Give me thirty, okay?" I grunted. She kissed my head then, through the sheet again, and got up.

Thankfully, I fell back into a deep sleep, and in what seemed like only seconds, Sookie shook me, "Eric, wake up! I got busy and forgot. You have to get up, or you'll be late."

I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and looked at the clock. I could make it to the office in time if I skipped breakfast. That was easy enough. I pulled her in for a kiss. "Good morning, lover, don't worry, I'll make work on time."

"Didn't you sleep well, Eric? Something bothering you?" she quizzed me.

"Oh, just this situation at work. Nothing for you to worry about. You're having lunch with your friends today, right?" I tried to sound lighthearted.

"Yeah, looking forward to it. I need to call Mama too, let her know about Saturday night. Listen, I'm going to head out, if that's okay. Want to get a head start on work, so I can take a little extra time for lunch. I love you," she said, giving no indication of sensing the real reason for my insomnia, as she bent to kiss me.

"Sookie, I love you, too. I promise we'll have a better evening tonight, okay? Keep our early-to-bed date?" I held her hand to keep her from leaving, and looked up into her eyes. She winked back at me before pulling away and grabbing her purse.

When I got to the office, I swung by the break room to grab a cup of coffee and one of the kolaches I knew would be there. Stopping by Jean's desk, I got the disparaging news, "Russell called."

"Thanks, Jean, get him back for me, will you? But give me ten minutes," I asked, opening the door to my office. Maybe I hadn't been lying to Sookie this morning, after all. Maybe this New York thing was on my mind. I sure as Hell wasn't looking forward to dealing with Edgington again today. I managed to hide my distaste, I think, "Russell, so glad we could get started on this early," I said when Jean buzzed to tell me he was on Line 1. "I've looked over your email, and it does seem that you have some reason to be concerned. Dad's not in yet, but as soon as he is, I assure you we'll put our heads together and come up with something."

"Will you be getting back to me today? I mean, this is really throwing a kink into the whole works here," he replied, as impatient as ever.

"We'll do our best, Russell, I promise. Just try not to worry, and leave it to us, okay. Oh, I think I see Dad coming now," I lied for the second time this morning, "so I'll let you go, but I'll at least email later. Have a good day, Russell." The man is insufferable! He may just be the problem himself. I walked back out and poured another cup of coffee. I cruised by Dad's office, but the lights were out. I stopped by Jean once more and instructed, "Let me know as soon as he gets here, okay?"

I went back in my own office and worked on a more relaxing project while I waited for word on my father's arrival. When he did get in, Jean buzzed, saying, "He's back to normal, no smile. Got any good news to bring back yesterday's mood?"

"Afraid not, sorry to say. We need to handle this Russell thing. Ask him if we can talk, please," I told her, not relishing the thought of facing his business as usual persona again so soon.

Before I could pick up anything else to work on, Jean buzzed, "He'll see you now."

"Thanks, Jean," I said, grabbing the copy I'd printed of Russell's email in case Dad hadn't seen it, and walking the few feet to his bigger, more luxuriously appointed office. "Good morning, Dad. You and Mom okay?" I asked in hopes of starting off with a light note.

"Oh, sure, you know. Your mother likes to get her two cents worth in before I get here and caught up in other things, but we're good. What's the urgency?" he asked, not casually, but not hostilely either.

"Edgington's called again this morning, wanting action on the personnel matter. Did you see the email?" I thrust the copy forward for his perusal. "Do you think all this is real, or is he just making trouble?"

"Probably the latter, knowing Russell, but we have to address it either way. Tell you what, I'll call Talbot, another exec who will more likely have a neutral take on the situation. Try to get to the bottom of it," he reached for his phone, and asked Jean to get New York again, while dismissing me with a wave of his hand. Thank God, he was going to handle it. I knew Russell was way more bark than bite, but I just wasn't in the right temperament for facing this today.

SPOV

I was trying not to make trouble where there wasn't any, but the more I thought about Eric's behavior this morning, the more it bothered me. I know he said it was about work, and it probably was. After all, his father was wanting him to assume more responsibility now. Still...I decided to let sleeping dogs lie and get busy. I wanted to get plenty done before lunch, so Sophie wouldn't be too upset if I got back a little late. I hadn't seen my home girls in awhile, and I was looking forward to our meeting today. When the clock read eleven thirty, I was more than half through with the pile I'd faced when I came in this morning. I walked over to Sophie's door, going in when she acknowledged me and waved, "Sophie, I have a lunch date with some friends planned today. Could I take off now? I'll try not to be too late getting back, but I've gotten quite a bit done this morning."

"Go, have a good time. I know you, Sookie, your work will be done before you leave here this afternoon. If all my employees were as responsible as you...," she answered, looking down and shaking her head. "I just hope that man of yours doesn't want you to stay at home once your married!"

"He wouldn't dare!" I laughed. "Thanks, Sophie, see you later."

I arrived at the restaurant first, but only had to wait a few minutes for Tara and Amelia. Without the slightest hesitation, we fell into our customary easy conversation, talking, laughing, and enjoying each other thoroughly. It was so good to have close friends so nearby! Of course, the girls were full of questions about the ranch, Eric's parents, the whole nine yards, and I eagerly gave them all the details. After carefully considering, I decided to get a little more serious, "Can I run something by you girls? Something that happened last night has me perplexed. I'd like to get your take on it."

"Shoot!" answered Tara, taking a big bite of her salad as Amelia nodded her agreement.

"Last night Jason brought over his new girl, one he thinks he could really get serious about," I started.

"Oh, boy, here we go," interjected Tara, but I waved a hand to indicate that wasn't the salient point.

"The thing is, this girl, Crystal, knew Eric, and spent the whole night watching him, almost ignoring me and Jason. Eric told me the story of how they knew each other, but it sounds fishy. He'd flirted, or maybe a little more than just flirted, with a friend of hers at a party. The friend basically stalked him for a couple of weeks, and Crystal tagged along. I just don't know whether to be worried about this situation or not. What do ya'll think?" I looked to each of them for opinions.

"Do you trust Eric's explanation?" Amelia asked, cocking her head slightly.

"Of course!" I answered, sounding a little too anxious even to myself. "We don't lie to each other. I know he's telling me everything."

Tara looked deep in thought, "Then we definitely need to investigate this Crystal broad, learn her motivation." She spoke matter-of-factually, looking down at her plate.

"Tara Thornton, sometimes I wish you'd never taken that Criminology course, but today, I think I'm glad. How do we proceed?" I dove back into my lunch, waiting to hear her plan of action.

By the time lunch was over, we had a plan in place. Amelia and Tara had volunteered to take the lead, since Crystal didn't know who they were, but she did know me. Of course, Jason knew them, but that shouldn't pose much of a problem. While they were conducting their "clandestine surveillance" (how is that different than stalking?), they might end up at the same venues, but such an occurrence wasn't so unusual. We'd all hung at the same bars for years anyway. The two girls had no problem having another excuse to party, let me tell you! I felt relieved to maybe find out more about the whole situation, but they were positively giddy at the prospect. They thought they'd have something to report by the end of the week.

When I got back to the office, I called Mama to fill her in on the plans for this weekend. She was excited to meet Eric's parents and get started with planning the wedding. I wanted to be just as excited, and I was sure as soon as I got some kind of handle on this Crystal thing I would be. She couldn't see a fake smile through the phone, but I tried to put that same smile in my voice. I didn't stay on the phone long, though, telling her I needed to get back to work, but actually not wanting to risk her detecting my worry.

I had to stay about thirty minutes late finishing the day's work, so Eric beat me home for a change. My heart soared at the thought of his waiting for me, especially when I remembered his last words to me this morning. I wasn't disappointed. As I had the night before, Eric had set up dinner on the patio table. Candles, plates, and chilling wine all were in place, waiting only for my return. He greeted me with open arms, lifting me off the floor and kissing me passionately.

"I missed you so much today, lover," he whispered close to my cheek, his eyes closed, "I'm glad you're home."

"I think I am too," I giggled. "You are in a good mood, better day at work?"

"No, but I know you'll take my mind off of it," he said, raising his eyebrow. "I've got supper ready, if you're hungry."

"I am, actually, a little. I can't believe it since I had such a big lunch, but anyway...Let me go change right quick, and I'll be back. Open the wine!" I commanded as I walked toward the bedroom, loosening clothing as I walked.

When I returned, Eric handed me a glass of wine before I even sat down. "Sookie, I called Jason today. We're meeting for lunch tomorrow."

"You are?" I sounded like a child who's been told her mother had called the teacher for a meeting.

"Just get a little more bonding time in, you know?" he looked at me from beneath lowered eyes.

"And to ask about Crystal?" I said quietly.

"Yeah, but I'll try to be discreet, just interested, you know, not suspicious. I hope she is with him just because she likes him, but I want to know for sure." His face told me he was basically asking my blessing in this endeavor.

"I'm glad, Eric. We're probably both just being paranoid, but I told Tara and Ames about it today, and they are going to play detective, try to find out what they can about Crystal," I put my hand over his in a reassuring gesture, so he'd know we really were on the same page.

"You may be right, we're seeing something sinister that's not really there, but we've found such happiness, I don't want anything to fuck it up! Now let's eat, I've got plans for tonight—big plans!" he said with a wink.

He didn't have to ask me twice. I wanted to finish supper and get on to "dessert."