A/N: Howdy. I have a little baby chapter for you. If you are reading Cheating Death, the next chapter is well on its way.
Chapter 11
Sookie looked at herself in the mirror. She knew she looked good, with her hair tied up in a ponytail and a pretty yellow dress that really showed off her tan. She put on a pair of sandals and sat down on the couch to wait.
When she heard Sam's tires crunching on the gravel, she got up and grabbed her purse. She didn't wait for him to knock and went outside while he was climbing out of his truck.
"Hey, Sookie."
"Hey, Sam. It's nice to see you."
He ran his fingers through his hair, which was sticking up every which way again. The last of the evening's sunshine made it almost seem to glow in a halo around his head, matching the reddish-gold streaks in the sky.
God, she looks so pretty.
Sookie bit her lip. She hadn't meant to listen in on Sam's thoughts but that one had rung out loud and clear. A few butterflies took flight in her stomach.
She didn't have to read his mind to know he was a little nervous. It was a big difference from Eric's confidence the night before. Right up until she'd told him no, anyway. She was a little nervous herself.
Sam's smile was wide and genuine. It lit up his whole face.
"Well, it's nice to see you, too. Are you all ready to go?"
"Yup. I sure am."
She locked the front door behind her and stepped off the porch. He met her there.
"You hungry? I thought we could grab a bite before we go to the movie theatre."
"Sounds great."
He helped her up into his truck and they headed back up the long driveway. There was a country station on the radio and one of her favourite songs was playing. After the unpleasantness of his visit on Sunday afternoon, the date was starting out just fine. She hoped it stayed that way. The conversation was easy and the trip to Clarice seemed to take almost no time at all.
He pulled into the parking lot of an Italian chain restaurant.
"This okay?"
She smiled.
"Sure. I like the food here."
He got out and opened her door for her while she was gathering up her purse, pausing a little on purpose to give him time to walk around the truck. It was a big step and she let him help her down.
"Thanks, Sam."
"It was my pleasure."
Eric was cool as a cucumber and hot as a Bon Temps afternoon in July, but that wasn't Sam. Sam was warm. Welcoming. She wouldn't get lost in his eyes the way she had in Eric's more than once, but she liked the way Sam's crinkled in the corners when he smiled. He didn't take her hand on the walk to the restaurant entrance.
He did pull her chair out for her once they got inside and asked for a bottle of wine when they placed their orders. After the server brought them some bread sticks, he cleared his throat.
"How was your date Sunday night?"
She frowned.
"That really isn't any of your business, Sam."
Her voice had cooled considerably. He sighed.
"I'm sorry, Chére. I'm just worried about you, is all."
Worried and jealous, maybe.
"Well, you don't have to be. Eric was a perfect gentleman."
Except when he wasn't. Still, she wasn't going to hold it against him. She had mostly enjoyed it.
It was a little awkward until the food arrived and Sam poured her a glass of wine. She took a small taste and then a long drink.
"Good?"
She smiled back at him.
"Very good. Thanks, Sam. Are you going to have some?"
"Maybe just a little. I still have to drive."
"Of course."
He poured himself half a glass and topped hers up. She hadn't planned on getting drunk, so she decided to take it slow.
They chatted a little while they ate. She had a bit more wine that came close to emptying the bottle. She was almost tipsy by the time she finished her pasta.
He smiled at her.
"Dessert?"
"Nope. I'm saving some room for that big bag of popcorn you promised me."
He laughed.
"Come on, then. We better get there soon in case they run out."
True to his word, Sam bought the biggest popcorn they had, along with a couple of drinks, and they made their way into the theatre. He led them to a row near the back and sat down in the middle. She sat next to him. He looked at her.
"This okay?"
Sookie shrugged.
"Sure. I can see just fine."
They watched the trailers and then the movie started. It was a romantic comedy and she was quite sure that that wasn't an accident. His fingers kept brushing hers whenever she reached for a handful of popcorn and she didn't think that was an accident, either. When they were down to the dregs and a few unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bag, he took her hand and held it.
Their fingers were greasy from the butter and she wanted to wipe her hands clean, but she also kind of didn't. The salt scratched a little between their fingers but she didn't mind.
She was able to hold her shields up pretty well and they stayed that way until the end of the movie, which was okay but nothing special. She went to the bathroom before they left to wash up. He didn't take her hand again. The drive back to Bon Temps seemed to fly by as much as it had on the way to Clarice.
When they got to the old farmhouse, he walked her up onto the porch. She wondered if he would kiss her. She kind of hoped so. And she hoped her shields held up so she could enjoy it.
"I had a really good time tonight, Sookie."
She smiled at him.
"I did, too. Thanks for inviting me."
"Thanks for agreeing to come. Can I see you again? Other than tomorrow at work, I mean."
She laughed.
"I would like that."
"Well, how about Saturday night?"
She was relieved he didn't say Friday.
"That sounds real nice."
She was charmed when he let out a small sigh of relief.
He leaned forward and kissed her softly. He pulled back, but then kissed her again, deepening it a little. His thoughts were red and snarly and too tangled up to make any sense of and she almost didn't notice them. It was nowhere near as hot as the make out session with Eric had been but she enjoyed it all the same.
She knew Sam wanted to come in every bit as much as Eric had. She heard that thought clearly just before she pulled away. She was afraid he wasn't going to be too happy, either.
"I guess I should go on in. Thanks again, Sam. I really enjoyed myself."
He tried not to look disappointed.
"Me, too. 'Night, Chère."
"Good night, Sam. I'll see you tomorrow."
She watched him climb back into his truck. He waited until she unlocked the door before he turned around and headed back up the driveway. She waved and then went inside.
She'd really had a good time. Eric had been a lot more touchy-feely, but he also had a quiet mind. She didn't really know that she'd have wanted more physical contact with Sam. At least not yet. Maybe she could work up to it.
She changed into her old Tweety Bird nightshirt and climbed into bed. Sam wasn't the one she thought about when she touched herself shortly after.
Later that night, after she drifted off to sleep, she dreamt about Eric. He was outside the burnt shack in the forest and she was looking at him through a different pair of eyes that weren't really different at all.
