A/N: Ahem, hello :)

I know I keep doing plus sides and minuses but it is an update (+) even though it's shorter than I wanted (-)

It's not the whole date (-) but it's the lead up (+)

I will update the rest of date night more quickly (+) and then things really start to get interesting (+). Look at those two pluses, got to be good :)

Anyway, I hope you like it and please keep reading and reviewing (+++)

p.s trailers for Skins 2013, lily loveless with brown hair, anyone else think it's a bit wrong?

Emily

"Thanks very much, see you again soon." I called out as the last of the customers left the shop.

I checked my watch, I still had tons to do. I ran through the list in my head. Pick up Dan, meet Mum and drop him off, get my hair cut, have a bath, shave my legs, put on most of my wardrobe before picking the outfit I tried on first, sit nervously and don't panic too much.

Up until now I'd been working, it was easy not to get agitated with a shop full of customers to serve and when there was no time to think. But now the shop was empty the fear was kicking in. I'd been on cloud nine since Naomi asked me on a date but now it was only a few hours before she was due to pick me up I was absolutely bricking it. This was a big step for both of us and I wanted it to feel right.

In terms of our friendship it felt like we were almost back to the way we were before she found out about Danny, but tonight wasn't about that, it had romantic overtones and that definitely felt like a game changer. Don't get me wrong, I really, really, wanted it to happen, I'd barely thought about anything else. I was just worried in case I did or said anything to mess it up or freak Naomi out. Hence the constantly churning stomach and slight nausea.

Part of me was sorry that she hadn't called in this lunchtime, she tried to every day if she could and I always looked forward to seeing her, even if it was brief. Another part of me was quite glad she couldn't see the mess I was in and I liked the fact her first glimpse of me today would be when I was glammed up for our date.

I wanted Naomi to know that this was a big deal even if we'd been to the restaurant before so I'd made a special effort with my outfit. I'd even bought some new, very expensive, underwear. Oy! Get your minds out of the gutter please. I knew the chances of Naomi seeing it were nil, it wasn't the point. It gave me confidence and that was something I really needed tonight. I wanted it to be light and flirty, obviously a date but not an evening shackled with the weight of expectation that it would lead anywhere else.

Oh for fuck's sake Emily, put a bloody sock in it will you? I thumped my palm against my forehead, there I go again, over thinking everything and tying myself in knots. Why couldn't I just chill out and think of it as a nice night with a drop dead gorgeous woman?

"Punching yourself in the face is a bit extreme, are you trying to get out of our date?" Naomi asked as my head shot up.

I looked up into the twinkling eyes and I knew exactly why I was stressing, nothing to do with Naomi would ever just be nice.

"No of course not. I didn't expect to see you until tonight." I said with a smile.

She pulled up a stool and sat at the counter, "Got to have my lunchtime fix Em."

I blushed, "Of me or the sandwiches?"

"The sandwiches of course, what's on offer today?" She replied with a grin.

"Are we still talking about food?" I quipped back.

Naomi laughed, "Touché Fitch. But seriously, I'm starving, I haven't eaten all day."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine, I'll make you something. What would her majesty like?"

She wiggled her eyebrows, "Why does the thought of you waiting on me hand and foot sound so appealing?"

"Mainly because you're a bossy egomaniac." I responded wryly as I cut the bread.

Naomi gripped her chest, "I'm hurt. What happened to being a loyal subject?"

I tutted, "Hmmm, I'm a republican. Come the revolution you'll be lined up against the wall and shot."

"Will I be able to see the whites of your eyes as you do it, or will I be blindfolded?" Naomi asked suggestively.

I placed the sandwich in front of her, "Blindfolded and probably handcuffed I expect."

We held each other's gaze slightly too long, it was obvious both our thoughts had moved on from the harmless flirting stage to something far less innocent. Naomi blinked and looked at the plate in front of her before she took a bite of the sandwich. Oh God, even watching her lips move as she chewed was driving me crazy. She glanced up and caught me staring.

A smile appeared on her face, "So tonight should be fun, the table's booked for 8, so I'll be over around 7.30?"

I snapped out of my Naomi induced haze, "That'll be great. Was it much hassle getting Matt to fit us in at short notice?"

Naomi began bouncing in her seat, "Oh my God, I can't believe I nearly forgot to tell you, you'll never guess what?"

I smiled at her childlike excitement, she was so cute sometimes, "What?"

Her eyes lit up, "We're not the only ones going on a date tonight."

"Really? Who else is?" I asked curiously.

"Effy has finally given in to Matt's advances and agreed to go out with him." Naomi replied triumphantly.

My mouth formed an O, "No way, what changed her mind?"

Naomi shrugged, "I'm not really sure, she didn't even really want to tell me in the first place."

My brow furrowed, "So how did you find out?"

"I told her about our dinner plans and she kept trying to persuade me to go somewhere else. At first I just thought she was being annoying but she kept getting more and more insistent that we couldn't go to Matt's restaurant. In the end I just told her it was tough as I'd already made the reservation. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head and I know I'm not always brilliant at reading these things I could tell she was hiding something. I pushed a bit and she admitted Matt was talking her out to dinner too." Naomi explained.

I smiled, "I'm glad, he seemed like a nice bloke. How long has it been since Effy had a date? Not since Freddie I guess?"

Naomi snorted, "I'm not even sure they exactly dated. Effy usually misses out that stage and tends to jump straight to the part where they fuck. Apparently there's no point wasting time on all that romance bollocks if a guy is a crap shag at the end of it, she likes to establish it's worth the effort first."

I tutted, "I shouldn't be surprised but how cynical. I love the wooing stage, the bit where your palms go clammy and butterflies erupt in your stomach as soon as you see someone. When you get tongue tied in their presence, where you could spend all day just studying their features and never get bored of looking. It's amazing..."

I stopped abruptly, oh Christ, what did I say that for? I glanced shyly at Naomi to see if she was uncomfortable but she was smiling at me.

"Sorry, I don't know where that came from. I mean we weren't even talking about us, we were talking about Effy." I stammered.

Naomi finished the last of her sandwich, "Don't apologise and it's ok you know?"

I stared at her in confusion, "What is?"

"Tonight, nothing's off limits. If you want to talk about..." She waved her hand between us, "where this is going, it's fine by me. I think it's about time we did, don't you?"

I nodded, "I'd like that, but nothing too heavy ok? I don't want tonight to be all angst ridden and soul searchy."

Naomi laughed, "Definitely no navel gazing. I'd better get back."

I checked the time, "Shit, I need to pick Danny up. I'll see you later."

Just as she was about to leave Naomi turned to me with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "I might need to up my game tonight now you've thrown the gauntlet down."

I stared in puzzlement, "Eh?"

She winked, "Be ready at 7.30 and be prepared for the wooing of your life."

Naomi

I stood outside the front door and took a deep breath. I double checked my appearance, held up the flowers and with a shaking hand rang the doorbell.

"Aw, are those for me?"

I peeked from behind the bouquet, "Piss off Cook, what are you doing here?"

"Katie's making me dinner and then we're going to have a DVD marathon." Cook said with a grin.

I glared at him, "Couldn't you have done that at your place?"

He shrugged, "Katie's is nicer, more space ya know?"

"Funny how you decided that on the same night I'm taking Emily to dinner." I responded sarcastically.

He nodded, "It is a bit of a coincidence now you mention it. Why don't you come in?"

I narrowed my eyes and entered the house, he must think I'm an idiot. The only reason they were here was to snoop on the start of our date. Normally they preferred the privacy of Cook's and Emily had told me that Katie admitted they often didn't even bother getting dressed properly when she stayed over.

I heard a chuckle behind me, I turned sharply, "What?"

Cook held his hands up, "Nothing, I'd just forgotten what you looked like in a dress."

I self consciously pulled the hem down, "Do I look ok?"

Cook winked, "Fit as a butcher's dog mate, Emily'll be impressed."

Katie poked her head out of the kitchen, "Em won't be long, why don't you go into the lounge and wait?"

"What do you reckon babe? Scrubs up alright don't she?" Cook said with a grin.

I shifted under Katie's scrutiny as she carefully looked me up and down, "You've actually got quite a nice figure, good legs too. Nice touch wearing flat shoes as well."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't sound so surprised. Geez talk about damning with faint praise."

"It was a compliment! Em'll appreciate you making an effort." Katie responded.

I glared at her, "You make it sound like I wouldn't bother normally."

Katie grinned, "That's definitely not what I was trying to imply, not at all..."

I snorted, "this coming from the woman wearing an apron."

"Please! I've got more fashion sense in my little toe than you've got in your whole body." Katie retorted.

She had a point, "I wanted to show Emily this was important."

Katie smiled, "I know and you do look really nice. Besides you're not the only one, Em's pushed the boat out too, she's even bought herself brand new underwear."

I didn't know whether to panic at the implication or focus on the mental images that had just rushed into my brain. The lustful thoughts naturally won out and I'm sure the expression on my face gave me away.

Cook nudged Katie knowingly and pointed at the flowers "Do you want me to put them in water?"

I shook my head, "No thanks, I want to give them to Emily."

I'm sure I heard Katie whisper something about it not being the only thing I wanted to give Emily.

"No Danny?" I changed the subject.

Katie shook her head, "Dad's taking him to the football tomorrow so he's gone over there tonight."

"Oh right, I've got a surprise for him." I said in a slightly disappointed tone.

"I love surprises, what is it?" Katie said gleefully.

I stared at her, "If I tell you it's not a surprise anymore is it?"

"You'll tell me though won't you?" Came the flirty question behind me.

I turned round with a smile and almost dropped the flowers. I stood transfixed, unable to take my eyes off Emily. Katie's earlier comment came flooding back and I desperately tried not to picture what was under that dress. This is not how I imagined our date starting, with my mouth hanging open as I dribbled like a loony.

Emily twirled around, "You like it?"

I opened my mouth to say something but absolutely nothing came out. Great now I'd lost the ability to speak, some conversationalist I was going to be. I didn't have much choice so I simply nodded.

"You can roll your tongue back in now." Katie said in a loud stage whisper.

Emily smiled and I swear my stomach flipped inside out before righting itself. I mutely held out the bouquet. My brain was screaming at me, telling me not to behave like such a dumb prick, but I really didn't trust myself to say anything.

"Thank you," Emily said sniffing them, "They're beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you." I blurted out.

Oh great, at first you're struck dumb then that cheesy line slips out, no wonder I hadn't trusted myself to speak. I heard a snicker behind me, it had to be in front of them didn't it? I was afraid to even look at Emily so imagine my surprise when I felt a pair of soft lips brush mine.

"I forgot what a charmer you are when you're on a date." She said as she pulled away.

Oh Christ, did I really just sigh happily then? Further chuckles confirmed that yep, I almost certainly did.

"I ordered a cab." Oh God the inaneness gets worse.

"I'll put these in water then we can go." Emily replied as she went into the kitchen.

I turned round to find Cook and Katie smirking at me, "What?"

"Now I know why you don't go on dates." Cook responded.

I glared at him, "Fuck off."

"Is it like Sampson and his hair? Your ability to function like a normal human being disappears as soon as you put a dress on?" Katie chipped in.

"More like my ability to do anything is severely impaired when I'm around your sister." I shot back.

Emily came back through the doorway with a smile playing around her lips. Oh shit, she'd heard what I just said hadn't she?

"Come on you, I think that cab you expertly ordered is outside." Emily said with a wink.

I breathed a sigh of relief as we went outside, as usual it was premature.

"Enjoy dinner." Katie called out from the front door.

"And the underwear." Cook added with a giggle.

Go away evil mental images. I ushered Emily into the cab and told the driver the restaurant address. After a minute or so, when I felt more confident my facial expression was blank I risked a glance at Emily. She was already looking at me and she smiled. I returned it.

"What did Cook mean?" Emily asked.

Bollocks, I thought she hadn't noticed, "Hmmm?"

Her eyebrow raised, "his comment, something about underwear?"

I'd have to come clean, "Katie mentioned you'd bought some new underwear for our date and..."

"Oh great, thanks a million K." Emily interrupted.

A look of confusion appeared on my face, I hadn't even got to the bit where I admitted I was shamelessly fantasising about Emily with not a lot on. I expected her to laugh or tease me, not to get angry with Katie.

"Naomi, you have to believe me, it had nothing to do with me expecting anything from tonight, I wasn't assuming anything. It was just so I'd have more confidence." Emily implored.

I was still confused, "Why did you need more confidence?"

She smiled shyly, "because I thought it would help with the nerves."

Finally I understood, "It's not just me bricking it then?"

Emily shook her head, "I've been panicking all week."

"I couldn't tell, you seemed totally self assured while I felt like a bumbling idiot." I replied with a laugh.

"Underneath I was a quivering wreck." Her hand flew to her mouth, "Oh God, I didn't even tell you how gorgeous you looked. I just stood there, accepting your flowers and compliments like an arrogant tosser. I'm so sorry."

I took her hand, "Don't apologise for being so stunningly beautiful it reduced me to a pile of goo."

She blushed, "There you go again on the charm offensive."

"I keep telling you I'm just being honest. Most people would be flattered that they can render someone incapable of speech or thought just from the way they look." I teased.

Emily sighed, "I'm hugely flattered; please don't think I'm that conceited. I wanted everything to be perfect tonight and it's a total disaster."

"Em, I was joking. Besides I've hardly covered myself in glory have I? You asked to be wooed, shoving a bunch of flowers in your face and acting like the village idiot hardly fits the bill." I said gently.

She smiled, "Can we forget the start and concentrate on having a good time from now on?"

We pulled up outside the restaurant, "Wait here."

I paid the driver before I walked to the other side of the cab. I opened the door and motioned for the redhead to get out.

Emily giggled, "Thank you."

I took her hand as we walked towards the entrance, "the beginning wasn't a total disaster..."

"Suppose not. The flowers were lovely." Emily conceded with a smile.

I grinned at her, "And you look amazing."

She grinned back. "As do you."

I held open the door and ushered her inside. We were led to our table and I held out the chair for Emily to sit down. The waitress handed us our menus.

"I'm sure we can rescue something from tonight." I ventured with a bigger smile.

Emily held my gaze, "I think we already have..."