Monday morning, Daphne appeared at his door, right on schedule. "Morning, Niles! How was your weekend? Busy?"
Does she know?
"Hello, Daphne. No, it was fairly typical." Lies, of course.
Daphne handed over the tea she had chosen for him this week; an English Breakfast. Niles smiled, placing it to once side as he thanked her. Daphne sat in her chair, and leaned forward, grinning. "How was the date on Friday?"
Niles tried to be coy. "It was fine."
"Just 'fine'?"
Just fine.
He shrugged. "It was nice. Sabrina makes for lovely company, and we had a wonderful time together."
"It was some fancy do, right?"
"That's right." He folded a loose piece of ribbon over and over as he spoke; a small nervous tick. "It's been a while since I'd attended something like that."
"How did it feel?" Niles looked up at her question, confused. Daphne rephrased it. "I mean, how did it feel to be out doing things you'd been avoiding?"
Terrifying. Liberating. Anxiety inducing.
"Not bad. We have plans again this Thursday evening to attend an art opening together."
Daphne pried more about the upcoming art show, and Niles started to share a little more. She seemed to listen to his every word, interested in what he was saying. Niles spoke about the artist - a moderately well known artist from upstate New York, his landscapes a masterclass in redefining modern artscapes. Again, Niles wasn't sure if she was really interested, but she appeared fairly engaged in the conversation, and asked several questions.
"You should check it out," he suggested. "The opening is this Thursday, but the art is on display until June."
"Sounds lovely. I might just do that." Daphne stood, stretching herself out. "I'm off to run my errands now. Same time next week?"
"Uh, actually..." Niles hesitated, suddenly nervous. Daphne looked at him, a slight confusion on her face. "I was thinking I might start taking Mondays off. So..."
So, what? Maybe I can tag along on your errands? Follow you around like a pathetic puppy, pleased to just be around you?
Daphne smiled, unaware of his inner thoughts. "That's great, Niles. You work so hard as it is." She seemed to think a moment. "How about we raincheck next Monday then - I'll let you fully enjoy your first official day off."
That wasn't what he wanted, but Niles smiled and shrugged. He had a couple of other days this week to try and convince Daphne otherwise.
Thursday evening went much the same as the other times he'd been out with Sabrina. She schmoozed with the attendees, promoting herself and her organisation. Niles acted the perfect wingman, expounding her achievements and her talents. The opening, made possible through the Hemmant Foundation, was particularly successful that evening.
Niles had, by now, learnt that when things like this went well for Sabrina, she was particularly affectionate afterwards. He returned to her apartment afterwards, but declined her invitation to stay the night, citing an early morning as the reason. She didn't bat an eye. Her own schedule was full, and early mornings were something she was similarly accustomed to. Niles already found himself extended three more invitations over the next two weeks to accompany her places.
Friday, Niles found himself discussing the gallery opening and the art with Daphne. "They're beautiful pieces. You really should check it out."
Daphne nodded, slightly distracted. Mother's Day was a couple of weeks away now, and she had already been booked out for the day - high teas and mothers apparently made a good pairing. Niles understood the increase in business as he had similarly been inundated with floral orders. Even his in store traffic had increased slightly.
She sighed. "I don't know how I'm going to manage all this by myself. It's doable, but..." Daphne tapped her pen, frustrated.
"Are you thinking of hiring someone?"
"Just for the morning. Maybe." She frowned, as if wrestling with an idea. "I might ask Joe... he doesn't work on Sundays usually, but he might help out for a couple of hours."
Niles nodded, mentally congratulating himself on how he was able to hear Daphne talk about Joe without wanting to curl up and cry. Maybe his crush was just because of his loneliness? Niles looked at her discreetly, as she stared at the notepad in front of her, furiously crossing out or adding things to what looked to be an ever growing to-do list.
He still could feel it though, the way his heart seemed to beat a little faster whenever he saw her. It didn't do that with Sabrina. But you can't have everything.
"Let me know if there's anything I can do to help, Daphne."
Daphne looked up, and smiled, her frustration vanishing for that moment. "Thank you, Niles. I appreciate that. Hopefully I'll get though it all okay."
Niles glanced at the clock. He'd stayed back with Daphne past her usual closing time talking, and it was nearly 4:30. "Do you want a hand, before I go?"
She shook her head. "No, I'm fine here. Go, enjoy your date."
"Oh, no date tonight. I'm having dinner with Dad and Frasier again."
"Oh?" A small smile crept on her face. "Tell them I said hello, then."
Frasier had become intensely interested in Niles' new relationship with Sabrina. Niles was more than happy to share that with his brother, and the majority of dinner that evening was Niles talking about her. Their dates, where they went, who they saw, where they ate. He was careful not to mention their encounter with Maris. It wasn't worth the agony of having Frasier dissect that.
After dinner, Frasier - who was now sufficiently jealous about Niles' new beau - disappeared to call Lilith about something related to his visit to Boston next month. Niles sat on the couch. Martin was in his chair, watching sports highlights, with Eddie sprawled on the floor beside his owner. Niles had noticed Martin hadn't commented much during dinner, although he was clearly listening to everything his sons said. Niles watched his father a moment, trying to work out what he might be thinking.
"Stop staring at me, Niles - it's creepy." Martin hadn't turned his head.
Niles looked away immediately, instead his attention was on the dog. Eddie gave a low whine as he rolled over, looking expectantly at his human brother for food. Niles looked away again, this time at the tv.
There was a montage of different sports clips - players either leaping towards, throwing, or catching balls of various sizes. It then changed to motor racing, and Martin hit mute, cutting the sportscaster's voice off mid sentence. "Just ask whatever it is you want to ask me, Niles."
"I don't know what you mean?" He was bluffing. Martin gave him a pointed look, and Niles caved. "All right. You were a bit quiet during dinner, and I just wanted to know if... what... uh..."
"You want to know what I think about your new girlfriend?"
Girlfriend makes it seem so serious. Niles wasn't sure if he would even categorize himself as a boyfriend yet. Maybe a... dinner companion? Event escort?
"Well, yes. I guess. Though I don't know if I would go as far as saying she's my-"
"She sounds nice enough." Martin had turned back to the tv. It was still on mute, but he was flicking through the channels, before finding the one that had a sports team in a locker room. "Can't say much more than that until I meet her."
"No, I suppose not." Niles was thoughtful. "You seemed to have a lot to say about Daphne, though. And you haven't met her."
"True." Martin shifted uncomfortably in his chair. This was unfamiliar territory for the both of them. "But, I dunno. You seemed to have some sort of... spark in your voice when you spoke about Daphne."
Niles absorbed that for a moment. "She just celebrated her one month anniversary with her own boyfriend. I don't think a spark can do much there."
"Sorry, son." Martin didn't know what else to say about that.
Neither did Niles.
They sat a moment in silence, until Martin turned the volume back up on the tv.