A/N: I had to change things up and add an extra chapter here and there to get things flowing. There are just a few more chapters and an epilogue to this story. If there is enough interest I will start on a second story to this called "One day at a time." Which will be a more in depth story of the developing relationship between Tank and Angie and their daily lives together.

xxxxx

I did it. I finally said something to Tank. I thought he was going to kiss me back, but then his Mom came in to tell him guests were arriving. I think the ice that had formed over the topic of our relationship had finally been broken. I managed a small smile when Tank asked if we could talk later. I was surprised to realize that I was actually looking forward to talking with Tank, no matter the outcome it would be a relief to finally know one way or the other.

When Tank stood up to leave I turned to attend to last minute details, mostly to keep myself from blurting out something really stupid, like confessions of love. I took a deep breath and forced myself to focus on the task at hand. Getting through dinner with out making a fool of myself.

I had just finished putting together the salad in a large bowl, making sure it was ready to be dressed when Bobby came in the kitchen with the wine. I turned around and wiped my hands on my apron giving him a smile.

"Thank you!" I picked up the first bottle of wine and tested the glass on the inside of my wrist. This particular wine was better if it was not chilled, so I set it on the counter along with the lovely red I had chosen to go with the main course. I popped the dessert wine in the freezers ice bin to chill. It would have been better to have let it chill all day, but you work with what you've got.

"Angie, is everything ok? You seem tense." Bobby said as he leaned against the wall near he door.

"Oh, I'm fine, just running through last minute details is all." I dug through the drawers and finally came up with a corkscrew. I grabbed the bottle of wine off the counter handing it at the corkscrew to Bobby. "Here, take this with you."

"In a hurry to get rid of me?" he said, pretending to be wounded.

"Nope, just don't want your date to have to come looking for you."

Bobby laughed and pushed his way through the swinging kitchen door. I was just about to pour another cup of coffee when Steph pushed open the kitchen door and poked her head in.

"Hey Angie, everyone is here when ever you want to start. No hurries though ok?" She lowered her voice in almost a whisper. "So, how'd it go? You guys talk it out?"

I just rolled my eyes "I'll give you all the details later. I'll be out in a few minutes with the salads."

Steph just nodded and left me to get started. I quickly laid out the plates on the counter before grabbing the bottle of dressing and drizzling it over the salad. I tossed the bowl a few times then used my hands to toss the salad a little more. I grabbed a plastic fork from a cup of utensils on the counter and took a small bite of the salad before tossing the fork in the trash can. I added a little salt and pepper and repeated the process. Once everything was seasoned properly, I started plating. I looked at the plates when I was done and decided they looked good enough. I quickly washed and dried my hands before changing into the dress Stephanie had bought for me. I looked at the shoes she had brought, and really thought about just going stocking footed. I decided against it though and slipped the shoes on.

I was suddenly very grateful for all those years I spent waiting tables. It wasn't easy to balance that many plates, and it was made even harder by the fact I was terrified I was going to break an ankle, but I managed to make it out into the dining room with out mishap. I served Tank first because he was he guest of honor. When I placed the plate down in front of him I leaned into him slightly to whisper. "Steph made me dress up."

My heart skipped a beat when he smiled at me, and luckily I managed to serve the salads in two trips with out any mishaps. "I hope you all enjoy tonight's meal. I would like to know how you would like your streaks prepared."

I listened carefully, but it wasn't difficult, just as I suspected the guys wanted theirs medium rare, or medium, and the Ladies where more on the side of medium well to well done. I slipped back into the kitchen and grabbed pulled the apron on over my head. I know I told Steph I couldn't cook in this get up, and I was probably right, but I was going to give it my best shot. The costume changes were going to drive me insane. I did slip off the high heels and slipped on my crocs instead.

I pulled out the steaks and forced myself to focus, this was going to be the hard part. I had portioned the steaks for the ladies smaller than I had the ones for the guys, since I knew how my guys could eat. The timing on this had to be perfect. I put the first round of steaks on the grill and glanced at my watch. I climbed up on the step ladder to pull down another pot. I set it on the stove, I was going to need it to heat the mashed potatoes. I took another glance at my watch and picked up my coffee mug and took a sip of my now long cold coffee. I set down my coffee and got back to preparing the rest of the steak and Lobster. While everything was on the grill I set to heating the mashed potatoes.

I listened at the door, and when I didn't hear the sounds of clinking silverware I figured they were done. I grabbed the bottle of wine from the counter, and slipped out of the kitchen. I gave the bottle of wine to Tank and cleared the salad plates. When I got back to the kitchen I stacked the plates on the counter, and went back to finishing off the main course.

I got everything plated, and picked up the plates. I made a face as I realized I wasn't going to be able to get these out in two trips. I made my way out to the dining room, and started serving. On my third trip around the table Tank reached up and grabbed my wrist. I leaned over a little to see if he needed anything. I felt myself blush when he told me I looked wonderful, and he thought I was doing an amazing job. I think I told him thanks before I hurried back into the kitchen before anyone could notice how red my face was.

I hurried to grab my cup of coffee. The hard part of tonight was over, I had a few minutes to relax. I had to laugh to myself when I heard one of the girls ask Steph for her caterers number. I hadn't thought about catering, maybe I could specialize in intimate romantic dinners. I was letting my mind wander and look over the possibilities of that when I heard Tank's voice.

"She's not a caterer, she's my girlfriend." I was so shocked I actually dropped my coffee cup. I cursed under my breath as it shattered on the tile floor. I quickly grabbed a roll of paper towels and knelt on the floor to mop up the mess. I couldn't believe he said I was his girlfriend. I loved the idea, but there was still so much up in the air. What was going to happen when the trial was over, would we even still be together. I just didn't know. I stood up after I finished gathering the pieces of my coffee cup and tossed them in the trash.

I mentally sighed as I heard the kitchen door open, I forced myself to take a deep breath before I could turn around and see Hal standing in the kitchen.

"Hey Hal, whats up? Is your steak ok?"

"I just wanted to make sure you didn't need any help. We heard something break." He told me.

I liked Hal, he was such a shy quiet guy. "I'm good, Go sit eat and try to relax Hal." I gave him a small smile as I walked over and turned him a round with a playful push out the door. "Shoo!"

Hal walked out the door and I turned to start putting batter on the cookie sheets. I decided this afternoon that a nice crunchy little cookie would go well with the ice cream. I thought I would make sure I had enough time to bake the cookies, I didn't want to rush dessert, but I didn't want there to be a long stretch of time between courses either. I opened the door to peek out, I wanted to estimate how much time I had.

I saw Tank turn to look at me when I opened the door. He held his hand out to me, so I walked over and grabbed his hand. When he stood up and pulled me to him I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest. Then he lowered his lips to mine, and suddenly I couldn't think. I just placed my hands on his shoulders to steady myself as the rest of the world just faded away.

I came crashing back to reality when I heard Miss Cici talking. I pulled away, and I could feel the heat creeping up my face, and I knew I had to be about as red as those lobster I cooked earlier. "Wow. It's really warm in here I think we need ice cream. Who wants ice cream?" I didn't even wait for an answer before I made my escape to the kitchen.

I wanted to get everyone served and out of here as soon as politely possible. I turned off the oven. Fuck the cookies. It would take too long. I yanked open the freezer and started pulling out the iced glasses I had planned to use to serve dessert in.

I relaxed immediately when I felt Tank's arms wrap around me. I leaned back against him with a soft sigh. This just felt so good. So natural, I just closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment. I couldn't help but laugh when Tank repeated my earlier words on relaxing. He had a point though, I wasn't exactly zen tonight.

I finally convinced Tank he couldn't just go out there and tell everyone to go home. He reluctantly agreed, and returned to the dining room. I turned my attention back to getting the desserts ready. A small amount of blueberries went in the bottom of each glass, followed by a scoop of the berry ice cream and a sprinkling of granola for texture. I set down a large beverage tray on the counter and arranged the glasses carefully. I picked up the tray and made my way to the dining room. I served dessert with as much grace as I possibly could, and I had to smile when Steph moaned her way through the first few bites.

I leaned the tray against the wall and looked at each of the guys in turn. "Don't be afraid to eat it, it's made with yogurt and honey. No artificial flavors or sugar." I told them all with a smile. I knew they all had ridiculous self imposed dietary restrictions. I got cranky when I dieted, and I figured I could live a long time skinny and bitchy, or take the shorter time being fat and happy. I choose fat and happy. I bent down to pick up the tray that had slid down the wall to the floor. Just as I started to stand up I felt like someone the size of Tank had punched me in the shoulder. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't manage even that. My legs crumpled, and I didn't even remember hitting the floor.