Disclaimer: still not mine, sadly.
Author's note: Unashamed, unmitigated gloopiness and schmaltz ahead. If you want drama and conflict rather than two idiots being increasingly soppy around each other, it might be a good idea to skip this chapter. You have been warned…
Chapter 19: Summer Break - Part 1, three dates
(Day after Tranny Dance, 7:12AM, Jeff Winger's apartment)
Jeff had intended to have a lie in after the drama of the night before. His phone had other ideas as it buzzed loudly to indicate an incoming message.
Good morning, boyfriend:-) AExxxxxx
I get six kisses now? Jeff thought. It's too early for cute, Edison! He rubbed sleep out of his eyes anyway and smiled while he composed his reply. Annie replied almost immediately and it was another ten minutes of texted gloop before Jeff finally signed off with the excuse he needed to shower and have breakfast.
I lost so many guy points there. He thought to himself with a wry smile.
XXXXXX
(Gobi Nadir's Felafel shop, lunchtime the same day. Jeff Winger has just walked through the door.)
"Mr Nadir?" He addressed the older man behind the counter. "Can I speak to Abed?"
"He's working. He's not in a position to take social calls."
This was a game Jeff had played many times before as a lawyer.
"Then it's just as well I'm a customer." He smiled winningly. "I'd like to order -" He scanned the menu over the counter, saw a surprisingly wide variety of coffees on display "- Lebanese coffee for two and a selection of baklava, please." Jeff had never eaten at Abed's family restaurant before, but he had once got an Arab oil sheikh off a DUI and solicitation charge and he'd shown his gratitude by treating Jeff to an elaborate banquet prepared by a personal chef.
Gobi Nadir nodded. "He'll bring them out to you."
Ten minutes later, Abed came out with his order and sat opposite him. "Hi Jeff, my father said to serve you and then take my lunch break. What can I do for you?"
Jeff looked around to make sure nobody else was listening. "I never thought I'd ask you this question Abed, and if you tell anybody I'll deny it, but - I need your help with a date."
Abed actually managed to look surprised. "You need my help with a woman, Jeff?"
Jeff shook his head. "Women I can handle Abed - I need your help for a date with Annie."
Abed's expression changed to one of understanding. "I see. You want to know what to expect from somebody who's never had a proper relationship and has drawn everything she knows about romance from teen magazines, Disney channel sitcoms and Twilight novels?"
Way to make me sound like a creep, Abed. Jeff said to himself. "That's the idea." He said instead.
Abed looked serious. "I need to be brought up to speed. I think we need a flashback here, Jeff."
XXXXXX
(Night of the Tranny Dance)
"I take it that's a 'yes' then?" Jeff said, as the kiss finally came to an end.
Annie had the happiest smile on her face he'd ever seen. Jeff thought his probably matched it. "Of course it is, silly." She said.
"I so want to -" Jeff suddenly noticed the crowd that was staring at them. "Can we have some privacy, please?" He stared back at them until they started to disperse. He put a hand around Annie's - my girlfriend's - waist and steered her to an empty table at the back of the hall. Seeing the show was over, the Dean was desperately trying to restore order.
"As I was saying," said Jeff, "I so want to get you out of here and back to my place right now."
"Jeffrey Winger!" Annie said with an expression of stern disapproval on her face. "Do I look like the sort of girl who sleeps with a man five minutes after agreeing to be his girlfriend?"
But we already - fortunately, Jeff's sense of self-preservation kicked in and prevented him from saying that out loud.
"No." She continued. "You will ask me out on a date - a proper one, at an expensive restaurant - you will collect me from my front door, bring me back again, and if you have been very charming I may allow you a kiss on the cheek when I say goodnight."
"Is that everything?" Jeff was looking slightly stunned. Annie was sitting bolt upright with a triumphant grin on her face.
"Oh, no." She said. "When other guys look at me – and they will look at me, because I'm going to be awesome – you will get slightly jealous and warn them to back off because I'm with you."
"You're going to make me pay in blood for taking so long to make my mind up, aren't you?" Jeff said.
"I'm sure I've no idea what you're talking about, Jeff." If anything, Annie's smile got even more triumphant.
Jeff sat upright, learned forward and looked Annie straight in the eyes. Annie suddenly flushed slightly at the intensity of Jeff's concentration.
"Annie Edison," he said. "Will you have dinner with me on Saturday night?"
Annie was smiling again. "Pick me up at seven, Jeff."
XXXXXX
"It sounds like Annie was fairly clear, Jeff." Abed said.
"She wants dinner at an expensive restaurant and she wants me to get slightly jealous because she's going to be so hot. It's actually not a huge amount to go on, Abed."
Abed nodded. "I think I see your problem, Jeff. Annie had a miserable high school experience which drove her into a breakdown and a spell in rehab, something from which she's only just emerging from. During that time, to distract her from all the pain and loneliness, she constructed the fantasy of the perfect first date. Now you have to live up to that fantasy."
Jeff nodded. "That's what I thought. I can be a guy meeting a girl in the bar when both sides know the rules, but how do I be a Disney princess's idea of Prince Charming?"
"Fortunately," Abed said. "I think I can help you."
XXXXXX
(Saturday evening)
Jeff knew he looked good – damn good. His suit was Italian and midnight black, his shirt was finest Egyptian cotton and so white it almost shone, and his tie was silk and the exact same shade of greyish blue as his eyes. He had spent the afternoon in a beauty parlour having his hair styled and his nails manicured and he had flossed and moisturised. She had better appreciate the effort,he thought. Tonight I'm her Knight in Shining Armani. He shifted the bunch of flowers he was carrying to his right arm, and knocked on the door of Annie's apartment. To his surprise, it was opened by Abed.
"So you're the derelict who thinks he's good enough to take our Annie to dinner." Abed said in a gruff, threatening tone. He was wearing an old man's cardigan and slicked back hair. Over his shoulder Joelle was also there, looking equally grim.
What the heck is going on, are they pretending to be her parents? Jeff thought to himself. "Erm, yes sir?" He said while trying to catch up. Now thoroughly confused, he turned to Joelle, who still hadn't said anything. "Erm, Ma'am?" Jeff said, hoping for the best. "Would you like to take care of these?" He flashed his brightest smile and passed her the flowers. Despite herself, Joelle flushed slightly, thanked him and took the flowers. Abed made a disapproving grumbling noise behind him. Did I just hit on my date's mother? - Jeff had actually done that once, it didn't end well - I wish somebody would tell me what the rules of this game are!
"Come in and sit down boy," Abed growled at him as he opened the door fully and pointed at the sofa. Jeff did as he was told. "Now there are some rules -" Abed said, as Joelle put a vase containing the flowers on the coffee table and took a seat next to him. They took it in turns to lay down a set of guidelines that could have come out of a fifties sitcom, and probably had - back by eleven; no touching exposed skin (though handholding was permitted); no taking to establishments of ill repute; and so on. In order to avoid going crazy, Jeff approached the rules as a lawyer and swiftly identified some potentially useful loopholes.
He was still profoundly relieved however when he heard a slightly nervous "Jeff..." come from behind him - Annie had finally made an appearance. Jeff stood up and turned around. The smile on his face froze with shock. There is a God, and he loves me - was Jeff's first thought as he saw Annie for the first time that evening. Her dress - deep blue, just short of knee length, tight waist and more than a hint of cleavage - managed to be both elegant and deeply sexy, or maybe that was just Jeff's response to it. It's not the dress it's the girl, he thought. Add in the effect of heels, discreet but effective make-up and a new, looser hairstyle and Jeff found himself having a thought he'd had more than once recently - he'd simply never seen Annie look more beautiful.
"You look perfect." Jeff said after an awestruck moment.
Annie smiled broadly. "You're not bad yourself, Jeff. Just let me get a jacket and we'll be on our way."
They bid farewell to Abed and Joelle and headed out the door. As soon as it was closed Jeff finally let out what he'd been holding in since he arrived.
"What on earth was the deal with those two?"
"They turned up a couple of hours ago. Joelle helped me pick an outfit and sort out my hair and makeup and Abed announced that to be a proper date I needed somebody to vet my boyfriend, then he watched 'Meet the Parents'."
Something suddenly clicked inside Jeff. "So that's why he's been doing a Robert de Niro impression all night!" Annie nodded. "I swear, if a polygraph machine comes out I am so outta here!"
"He didn't bring one with him. I think." Annie was smiling mischievously at him.
"You are aware they'll be making out in there while we're on our date, aren't you?"
Annie suddenly grinned hugely. "You said the 'D' word, Jeff! And no, I'm sure they won't be making out - they're pretending to be parents after all and parents never do that."
"Annie, I think somebody needs to have a good, long chat with you about how parents get that way."
Annie shoved him lightly with her shoulder. As it temporarily increased the amount of body contact, Jeff didn't mind.
XXXXXX
Jeff led Annie outside. She gasped slightly as she saw the limo he had hired for the evening. You'd better be impressed given how much this is costing me, Jeff thought to himself. They settled down in the back seat as the driver pulled away and Annie gasped again as Jeff fetched a bottle of champagne from the built in icebox, popped it and poured two glasses. He proposed a toast to the two of them, she blushed slightly and returned it.
After a fifteen minute drive they arrived at Les Nuits de Paris, the classiest French restaurant in the Greendale area. Annie's mouth fell open slightly as she realised where they were.
"What did you get the maitre d' off of to get a table here?" She whispered as Jeff offered her his arm to help her out of the car.
"It wasn't him, it was his wife and it was a shoplifting charge. Not usually my sort of case, but I thought it might come in handy if I ever needed to get a table here at short notice."
Annie was looking awestruck. "Jeff, you shouldn't have!"
"Annie, you did specify an expensive restaurant." Jeff had a wry smile on his face.
Annie was spared the need to reply as the door opened just as they walked up to it. Jeff was a greeted with a delighted smile and a kiss on each cheek from the Frenchman who opened it.
"Monsieur Winger, such a pleasure to see you again! And who is your charming companion?"
"This is my girlfriend-" Annie's face lit up, she still hadn't got used to hearing Jeff say that "-Miss Edison, Gaston. I would regard it as a personal favour if you could ensure she is shamelessly spoiled tonight."
"Of course, Monsieur." He smiled and turned to Annie. "Bonsoir Madamoiselle, welcome to my humble establishment." He bowed and kissed Annie's hand. Only Jeff had ever done that before, and she had blushed then. The Frenchman was so much more expert at it that she blushed again now.
He showed them to a table near the middle of the restaurant, fussed over them for a moment while they were seated, then asked if they wanted aperitifs before ordering. Jeff took one look at Annie, smiled, and ordered two Kir Royals. When Annie questioned his smile, he simply said "It's a purple drink Annie, your favourite colour." She smiled back.
The rest of the evening proceeded in similar vein - when the menus were brought, Jeff told the waiter not to give one to Annie as he would be ordering for both of them. When Annie objected to this, Jeff's response was straightforward -
"I know you, Annie - as soon as you see the prices on the menu you will spend ages searching it for whatever is the cheapest thing on it regardless of whether you like it or not. That is so not the point of this evening that it wouldn't even be funny. So I'll pick something for both of us."
Annie thought for a moment about arguing, but chose to smile instead. When the food arrived, it was exquisite and the conversation was light, fun and flirtatious - even if Annie's eyes were the size of dishplates all evening as she kept looking around. Jeff teased her occasionally about it, but only enough to make her blush prettily - and yes, he did make a point of growling gruffly at a couple of guys who seemed to be eyeing her up slightly too keenly.
As the evening slowly and companionably wound down through desserts, coffees and digestifs Annie felt increasingly like she was dreaming and didn't want to wake up.
"Is this what your life was like back when you were a lawyer?" She asked Jeff suddenly.
Jeff was temporarily surprised at the nature of the question. He thought for a moment. "Yes, and no."
"That's not the most helpful of answers, Jeff."
He acknowledged her point with a rueful nod. "Yes, in that it was not unknown for me to eat in places like this - Gaston was able to ask me to represent his wife for a reason - but no in that when I did eat here it wasn't with a date of my choice. It would usually be with clients and we would be on their expense accounts. Simply being able to relax and enjoy the company instead of having to worry about how I was benefitting the firm was not usually part of the evening back then."
"So you never brought women here then?"
"Do you really want me to talk about other women tonight, Annie?" But Annie was sitting upright and she had her challenging face on - not easy to do with the warm glow she was feeling.
Jeff sighed. "No, you're the first. There was nobody else I liked enough before you to bring here on my own dime." Annie did a happy bounce in her seat and flashed a huge smile.
"Don't expect it be a regular thing, though." This time it was Jeff who smiled.
As Annie had already broached the subject of other women though - and frankly, was relaxed enough to be off her guard - Jeff decided to bring up something he'd been sitting on since the morning. He fished out his cell phone.
"Jeff - you're not seriously going to start playing with that are you?"
Jeff ignored her, instead he called up the first message he'd received that morning and passed it over.
"Yes, what about it?" Annie had a puzzled expression on her face.
Jeff had a fake-serious expression. "How many girlfriends do you think I have, that you would need to sign it to stand out from the crowd?"
Annie tried to be fake-serious back. "Well, you did have three women say they loved you last night..."
Jeff's memory flashed back to the night before, he grinned suddenly. "Actually only two women said they loved me, the third was concentrating on trying to suck my wisdom teeth out."
There was suddenly an appalled expression on her face. It's waaay too early for the L-Word! He'll freak again! She thought to herself.
"Annie, did you just say-"
"No! I didn't mean that at all! Forget I said anything!" Annie was panicking now.
Jeff is slightly shocked at how scared Annie looked. I'm really going to have to work at this trust and commitment thing, aren't I?
"It's a deal Annie. I went too far, sorry." He reached over the table, took her hand and squeezed it. She visibly relaxed at the contact.
"Anyway-" Jeff looked at his watch "-It's half past ten. We need to start moving if I'm going to get you home by eleven and not have your dad kill me."
Jeff signalled the waiter, and while his bill was being prepared texted the limo driver to come and pick them up. By the time he'd settled up and left a tip it was almost ten minutes later and the limo was outside waiting for them. After a florid round of farewells and see-you-agains from Gaston, Jeff showed Annie back to the car. Once they were inside, she kicked her shoes off - with a sigh of relief - and curled up against him on the back seat. Jeff draped his arm across her shoulders and gently stroked her arm.
"Thanks Jeff, it's been a really nice evening. Everything I wanted a first date to be but never thought I'd ever have."
"Well, you're my Disney princess. The least I could do is try to be Prince Charming for an evening. Don't expect it to become a habit though." Annie turned her head and smiled up at Jeff. Just as Jeff was wondering if she was expecting him to kiss her, she turned her head back down and snuggled into his chest.
Jeff didn't feel conversation was needed, so he let her make herself comfortable and tried to relax himself as the limo took them on their journey. He sighed as they came to a halt outside Dildopolis. If we're going to be serious about this Annie, we are so going to have a talk about you moving away from here. He looked down at her as she sat up and put her shoes back on, and caught the expression of perfect happiness on her face. Just not tonight.
He helped her out of the limo, tipped the driver and asked him to wait fifteen minutes before leaving. Then he took Annie's arm and walked her up the dingy flight of stairs to the front door of her tiny apartment.
Somehow, Annie had gone from being by his side to in his arms, looking up at him with a shy smile on her face.
"I'd invite you in Jeff, but…"
"I know, your folks will go nuts." He smiled back at her. She was still looking up at him. Jeff caught a discreet glance at his watch - 10:57 it said, Jeff knew Abed well enough to know that the door would open at 11:00 exactly. Jeff looked down again at Annie. I've got three minutes, he said to himself. Forget about a kiss on the cheek.
He took hold of the tip of her chin between his thumb and forefinger and gently tipped her face upwards. Her eyes grew even wider, if possible. Jeff leaned forwards slightly, Annie's lips parted slightly in response as he closed the distance. The kiss started soft and gentle, but grew hungry as Annie responded and wrapped her arms around Jeff's back. He wrapped his around her in return and straightened up, lifting her off her feet with effortless ease. He held her in that position, simply enjoying the kiss, until his arms started to protest and he let her slide gently down to the floor. The kiss came to an end just as they heard the first bolt go. Annie's face was flushed and wild.
"I can tell them to leave -" she said suddenly.
Jeff had the mock serious expression back on his face. "No Annie - you were right. You're not the sort of girl who would sleep with a guy on the first date, and I need to learn to respect you enough to understand that."
Her sigh had a distinct note of disappointment to it, Jeff let go of her just as the door opened. Abed was staring at him with a theatrically stern expression on his face.
"Goodnight, Annie - it was an amazing evening. Good to see you again, sir." He said to Abed. He hugged Annie again, then turned around and headed for the stairs as she went inside.
XXXXXX
"Yes Abed," I can see how a night like that would work. Jeff said as he took another sip of his coffee and a bite of baklava. I'm going to need to do at least another hundred crunches after this.
"Good, Jeff. Because once you've successfully navigated the first date and impressed her with what a debonair, sophisticated man of the world you are-" Jeff had no idea if Abed was being sarcastic or not "-you need to show the fun side of yourself, show her that you're just as at home in her world, so to speak."
"Abed, this is Annie - fun for her is a trip to the library to see a rare book exhibit!"
"You know what I mean Jeff - you'll will just have done the fantasy serious date, now you will need to do the fantasy fun date."
XXXXXX
Annie had followed the instructions Jeff had texted her for their second date -
Dress casual and sensible. I'll be there at six. xxx
She had made a bit of an effort - her shorts and t-shirt were coordinated and a good fit, though she had left off the knee length socks as being a bit too anime. She had tied her hair back in a ponytail, then untied it when she thought it made her look ridiculously young and did it in a bun and put a baseball cap over it instead, she topped the whole thing off with her favorite pink windcheater. She felt she'd succeeded when Jeff had stopped suddenly as he was halfway through her front door and grinned as he slowly scanned her.
"You'll do," he said. He was in jeans and had a t-shirt on underneath a full sleeved shirt which looked as though it'd been sprayed on to his chest and arms.
Jeff led her down to his car and drove her to the big retail park on the outskirts of Greendale. Annie's eyes opened in surprise as she saw where they were parking.
"Laser tag Jeff, seriously?" She said, as he helped her out of the Lexus.
"We have unfinished business from paintball night, Annie."
Annie squeaked in shock.
"Not that! Thanks to Chang, we never resolved who would win when we went head to head."
Annie suddenly grinned hugely. "Oh, I am so going to own your ass tonight, Winger!" She turned around and started skipping towards the entrance to the game centre.
We'll see about that, honeybuns. Jeff thought to himself with a smile as he strode after Annie.
XXXXXX
Annie was leading Jeff by three points with ten minutes to go on their allotted time period when the game arena was invaded by a high school football team and cheerleading squad and they found themselves forced to team up and fight for their lives against a storm of hyperactive teenagers. They solemnly agreed to call it a draw as their time ran out and Jeff offered to take Annie to the movie theatre instead of booking another session.
They got to the theatre, loaded up on nachos, dips, popcorn and cola and then had a discussion about what film to see.
"Romcom?"
"Over my dead body. Action flick?"
"That would be over mine. SciFi?"
"Deal."
Then they looked at what was actually available. "Iron Man 2?" Jeff said uncertainly.
"Well…" Annie didn't sound any more excited than he did. Jeff decided to take the plunge.
"Not another one of those boring ass Marvel movies..."
Annie gasped with relief. "I know! They're so flavourless and unremarkable! They are so not a big deal!" She looked up happily at Jeff.
"Do you know how long I've wanted to be able to say that without worrying about being stoned?"
Jeff threw his arm around her shoulders and gave her a big squeeze. He looked again at the listings. "Shrek Forever After?"
She nodded. "Shrek it is."
The film was a somewhat derivative rehash of the earlier episodes in the series, but they laughed in all the right places. Annie allowed Jeff to put his arm across her shoulders, but when he tried to make out with her she slapped him on the chest and told him he was blocking the screen. Somewhat miffed, Jeff relaxed back into his seat and grabbed a handful of nachos. Second place to a green oaf who makes candles out of his own earwax? You're losing your touch, Winger. But then he looked at the expression on Annie's face and the mood passed. You are in so much trouble.
They walked out of the cinema arm in arm, talking and laughing about the movie. Jeff drove her back to her apartment and walked her up to the front door. Annie unlocked it, then turned. This time she was the one who kissed him until his blood boiled and he couldn't think.
She broke free suddenly. "I'm not the sort of girl who does it on a second date either," she said with a ridiculously naughty smile as Jeff was still gasping for air. "Speak to you tomorrow, Jeff." She slipped through the door and locked it behind her before he could respond.
XXXXXX
"Thanks Abed, I think I've got an idea how to play that." Jeff said as he took another sip of his coffee.
"That's good Jeff, because then we come to the crucial third date -"
"I know how to play a third date, Abed." Jeff said, draining the last of his coffee.
"I'm sure you do, Jeff. Just remember - this is still Annie."
"Understood." Jeff fished out two ten dollar bills. "Thanks for the advice Abed, it was useful. Keep the change." He got up and made ready to leave.
"Break a leg, Jeff. Don't mess it up."
"I know, Abed. The bright timeline still can't be taken for granted, right?"
"You've got it, Jeff."
XXXXXX
Annie looked at the text message Jeff had sent her for their third date.
Dinner my place, 7PM. I'm cooking, your call what to wear. xxx
Annie was sufficiently paralysed by indecision in response to this deceptively easygoing message that she'd texted Marcia in Texas for advice. The reply was typically Marcia however -
3rd date, his place? Anything that unfastens easily. Best of luck:-)
So Annie had asked Joelle to pop over to help instead.
"She's got a point, you know." Joelle had said when Annie showed her Marcia's text. "Guys start looking for sex from about the third date onwards. The outfit you choose will be your first opportunity to send a signal as to whether that's what you want too or not."
If anything, this answer stressed Annie out even more - she'd barely even had one successful date with a guy before Jeff, never mind three. "And what if I don't want to rule it out entirely, but I don't want it to be taken for granted either?"
Joelle rolled her eyes. "Lets see what you've got. We might have to get Marcia back on the line for this."
XXXXXX
Annie knocked on the door of Jeff's apartment, somewhat nervously. After a few seconds, the door opened and Jeff was standing there, in the shirt and trousers of his tuxedo, with a white cummerbund emphasising just how narrow and toned his waist was. There was nothing casual or lazy about the smile with which he greeted Annie, nor about the intoxicating and expensive cologne which she smelled on him.
"Erm, I brought salad." Her heart was suddenly in her mouth as she thrust the bowl she was holding at him.
Jeff's eyes seemed to acquire an amused glint as he saw how nervous Annie suddenly was. He took the salad off her and turned back inside the apartment.
"You can come in, you know." He said as she seemed to be rooted to the spot in the doorway. Jeff put the salad down in the kitchen area and came back to take Annie's coat. As he hung it up, he got his first good look at her choice of outfit - a sleeveless purple dress, just short of knee length, showing cleavage but with a frilly neckline obscuring the view somewhat and sensible heels. Going for pretty, but not take-me-right-now hot. Was his first thought.
Annie's first thoughts were somewhat different. Right from the moment she had seen how Jeff had dressed to show off his figure in the most flattering way possible to how the apartment was set up - ceiling lights off with candles providing a soft light instead, light jazz playing at a low enough volume not to inhibit conversation, and delicious smells coming out of the kitchen - she had had one thought: if you don't get out of here RIGHT NOW you are in so much trouble, Annie!
Something popped. She turned towards the kitchen area, where Jeff had opened a bottle of something fizzy and was pouring it into two glasses. He walked over and offered her one. Maybe a bit of trouble is what I need right now.
"To us," he said, and clinked their glasses.
Annie said something that was supposed to be a response but came out sounding like she was being strangled.
"What is this?" She tried again. "Champagne?"
"Cava." Jeff replied. We've done French, Italian and Mexican before, tonight we're going to try Spanish."
"That sounds nice," Annie squeaked slightly.
Jeff sat Annie down at the table and put the salad bowl in the middle, then fetched an ice bucket and put the opened bottle of Cava in it. He went back to the kitchen and fetched the pan that was resting on a low heat on the stove and brought it over to the table.
"Seafood paella," he said to Annie's questioning expression. He went back to the kitchen and returned with another bowl.
"Steamed vegetables, feel free to help yourself."
Annie watched cautiously as Jeff scooped out a generous helping of the rice dish, added some vegetables and put some salad in a side bowl, then copied him. She could tell from the amused expression on Jeff's face that he could tell what she was doing.
An outsider - from Mars, for example - who watched the meal might only have seen two people eating, engaging in pleasant conversation and sipping from glasses that were occasionally topped up. A particularly alert outsider might even have noticed the way Annie blushed slightly when Jeff brushed against her as he tidied away the plates and brought the dessert course - fresh fruits and cream - out and followed it with coffee and liqueurs. The less than observant observer probably would not have noticed anything unusual about the conversation - if anything, it was less flirtatious and more mundane than when they had eaten out on their first date - but what not even the most observant observer would have noticed was the way Annie's heart was constantly in her mouth and they way she felt pinned under Jeff's cool regard.
That's your I'm imagining you naked and I like what I see face, isn't it? Her own imagination said to her.
"So, what have you got planned next, Jeff?" Annie said as they sipped their liqueurs at the end of the meal.
He smiled at her. "Well, I thought maybe we could find something on Netflix worth watching…"
Are you really going to force me to make the first move? You arrogant son of a… Even in her own mind Annie hesitated on the insult. It would so serve you right if I thanked you for dinner and went home now. But Annie was honest enough with herself to admit there was no realistic possibility of that - the evening had been a non-stop assault on her emotions, she had never felt so intensely desired in her life, nor had she ever felt such desire for another - by comparison, Troy was the merest crush, Vaughn an absurd fantasy, and she barely thought of her high school boyfriend at all. Instead, she gathered all her courage and stood up from the table.
"Actually, I'm feeling a bit tired." She said, and proceeded to sashay over to the bedroom. She didn't look back, but she was convinced she could feel the heat of Jeff's gaze as she put an extra swing into her hips. At the door of the bedroom, she paused for a moment, slipped her shoes off and stepped inside.
Jeff was still at the dining table, all his attention focussed on her. In fairness, Annie had misread him - whereas part of him was indeed amused and gratified that he was able to induce such a state of nervous anticipation in Annie, another part of him was wary and on guard and unwilling to risk making a move she was not ready for. He was therefore more than happy to allow her to take as much control of events as she wanted.
Only when she was fully inside the bedroom did Jeff get up from the table. He went into the bathroom, gargled with mouthwash - he wanted his breath to be fresh when they kissed - refreshed his cologne and went back into the apartment. He fought down every instinct demanding he run to the bedroom and instead went to the kitchen, where he refreshed the ice bucket and took a bottle of champagne out of the fridge and stood it up in the bucket. He then got two clean flutes, and only then did he walk to the bedroom.
He open the door, and took a good, long look. Annie was in bed, resting her head on one hand with a sheet pulled up to her armpits. Her expression suddenly changed from seductive to puzzled.
"What's that Jeff?"
"Champagne."
"You want to have a drink first?" Her expression was heading rapidly towards annoyed.
Jeff grinned at her. "Not immediately. Though I don't know about you, but I'm fully expecting to want to celebrate something shortly."
Annie's smile returned, Jeff closed the bedroom door with his foot as he stepped inside.
XXXXXX
(The next morning.)
Jeff woke first. He cautiously stretched himself in bed, feeling all the aches and twinges of muscles that had been subjected to intense and prolonged exertion the night before. Then he admired the way the sunlight was streaming in through the window, and only then did he turn over to where Annie was still sleeping. She was naked, with her back to him and the bedsheet had slipped down to her waist.
He looked at her, drinking in every inch of her, and waited for the usual feeling to come up - the urge to either run or find some way to hustle her out of the apartment - but it didn't come. Instead he felt himself relax as he looked at her and a warm feeling spread through him. This must be what it feels like to be happy, He said to himself with some astonishment. Why did I never try this before?
As he continued looking at her - there was a part of him now that felt he could look at Annie forever without getting bored - he noticed something odd about her back. There was a random scattering of faint, white lines, ranging in size from less than an inch long to over four inches in length. About a dozen or so such lines he thought. As he shifted position to get a better look he must have disturbed Annie, because she rolled over and opened her eyes. Sadly for Jeff, she also pulled the bed sheet back up.
"Good morning, boyfriend." She said with a sleepy, happy smile.
"Good morning, girlfriend." At least there are no witnesses to see you turn into a teenage girl, Winger.
"Annie, can I ask you something?"
"What? Of course you can, Jeff."
"What are all those white lines on your back?"
Annie's face clouded slightly. "I ran through a plate glass window, Jeff."
Jeff suddenly had a horrifying mental image of Annie flat on the ground, shards of broken glass sticking out of her back and blood everywhere.
"Oh damn - I'm sorry, Annie."
"It's all right Jeff," she smiled at him. "It wasn't your fault and the surgeons did a very good job of putting me back together. It's just a reminder of who I am and what I've survived now. I just have to be careful not to wear anything backless or get too deep a suntan, that's all."
Every time I'm tempted to think of her as just another cute girl something comes along to remind me of just what she's had to survive to get this far, and that she refused to allow it to break her.
Jeff looked straight into her eyes. "I wouldn't wish your life story on anybody, but I wouldn't swap the girl you became because of it for anything either." He could tell by the way her face lit up he'd said the right thing.
"Well, maybe Scarlett Johansson, anyway." He said with a mischievous grin.
"Jeff!" She said, and tried to slap him in the chest. He caught her arm instead, which had the happy effect of causing the bedsheet to fall loose. He rolled over so she was pinned beneath him.
"Do you need breakfast yet?" He asked with a grin.
"I think I'm good for a while yet," she said with an even bigger grin.
XXXXXX
They did eventually get round to breakfast, even if it was closer to lunchtime. Jeff found himself thinking of the only other time Annie had spent the night at his place - the night after halloween - and found himself comparing and contrasting. After he'd had a shower, Annie had one while he prepared breakfast, and once again she ended up in one of his t-shirts and a pair of shorts that were both much too big for her while Jeff had on a muscle shirt and sweat pants. This time however she didn't wait to be offered before grabbing hold of the TV remote, and she also didn't try to impress Jeff with how grown up she was with her taste in viewing - she happily selected the Disney Channel, which was showing an old Hannah Montana episode. She's more comfortable just being herself around me now, Jeff suddenly realised and found himself smiling at the thought. He put two bowls of muesli, two mugs of coffee and a rack of toast and a pot of honey on a tray, put it on the coffee table in front of her and flopped down next to her.
"Thanks Jeff," she said with a smile as she picked up a bowl of muesli.
"The brunette's cute." Jeff said, around a mouthful of his own muesli.
"Jeeeffff…." Annie warned.
"What? She looks like you, of course she's going to be cute."
Annie swatted him lightly, but couldn't keep a smile of her face. "Oh, good save mister."
They settled down to watch the TV while eating breakfast and drinking coffee for an hour or so, then they got dressed properly. Annie's mood seemed to turn down a little after she put on the dress she had worn the night before.
"I need to go home Jeff."
"What?" Jeff looked stunned. Annie looked shocked too as she realised how it must have sounded.
"Oh! Nothing like that!" She blushed. "I just don't have anything clean to wear, I haven't brushed my teeth, I don't have a hairbrush, or makeup -"
"You're beautiful as you are."
She blushed and smiled. "Just for that -" and she closed in for another lingering kiss. "But I really do have to go - look, pick me up tonight and we'll go out for dinner." She leaned in close again and whispered in his ear. "And this time I'll pack an overnight bag."
This time, Jeff smiled at her. "See you later, Annie." He said as he hugged her goodbye.
"And you, Jeff." Annie said as she slipped out the door.
As the door closed, Jeff picked up his cell phone.
Abed, thanks for everything. I owe you big time buddy. JW
Two minutes later, his phone buzzed with a reply.
Cool. Coolcoolcool. AbedN
XXXXXX
Author's notes: "light jazz playing at a low enough volume not to inhibit conversation" - you may think this is "Daybreak." I couldn't possibly comment.
"She looks like you, of course she's going to be cute." Alison Brie's first TV role was as a crazy hairdresser on a 2006 episode of Hannah Montana. And yes, she did look cute.