Hers for the Holidays

Chapter Eight

Vincent led Emily towards the small diner, their purchases stored carefully in the saddlebags on his motorcycle.  He slid into the booth across from her as he picked up one of the laminated menus that rested on the smooth tabletop.  

“So tell me about your family, I mean besides being CIA operatives,”  Emily asked in a teasing voice.

“Wrong again, I’m an only child.  Standard stuff, two loving parents who spoiled me a little.”  He said peeking at her over the menu. “What about you?”

“Hmmm, well I’ve got two sisters and a younger brother.  I fall into the middle with Amber, she’s a few years older than me, my oldest sister’s name is Hannah, and my brother is Bradley.”  Emily said as she studied the menu unsure of what to get or if Vincent would be freaked out that she liked to eat.

“Ignored middle child?”  He said his voice light and playful.

“Not really, our parents had their hands full, but we knew they loved us,”  Emily said nodding to herself as she decided what she wanted. She set the menu down and caught Vincent’s eye as he was watching her, she blushed.  “What is it?” She asked.

“Nothing,” Vincent said as he cleared his throat. He liked the way she looked when she blushed like that.  “Do you know what you want?”  

“I think I’ll get the BLT with fries and a coke, what about you?”  She asked curiously.

“The burgers here are really amazing, so what do you do?” he said setting the menu down.

“I wait tables at Ethan’s, what do you do?”  Emily asked as she rested her elbows on the table and settled her chin on her palm.

“What can I get you two started with?”  A cheery voice interrupted as an older blonde woman pulled out a small notepad and pen.  They gave their orders and then Vincent turned back towards Emily, she was watching him as the index finger on her left hand traced the pattern that was on the tabletop.

“So will any extended family be there?”  Vincent asked as turned back towards Emily.

“No, are you avoiding the question?”  Emily asked with a teasing smile.

“I might be,” Vincent smirked back at her.

“Fine, I’ll let you keep your secrets for now.”  She said as the waitress sat their drinks down in front of them.  She watched as he took a sip of his iced tea, he was handsome and she was beginning to like him not just for his looks but his personality as well.  He caught her looking at him and smirked as she blushed. He moved his hand across the table and tapped her nose.

“It’s cute when you blush,” He teased as her blush darkened and spread to her hairline.  

“You’re making it worse,”  She said peering at him through lowered lashes, his smile was honest and she liked the way it reached his eyes lighting up his whole face.  She watched as he leaned back in the booth, his fingers combing through his hair leaving it tousled in a way that made her want to run her fingers through it.  

Emily shook her head. She needed to avoid thinking about him this way.  What was going on between them wasn’t real, she needed to stop this before it started.

“Congratulations on the bracers you got last night,”  Emily said changing the subject.

“Thanks, I’m pretty excited to try them out,”  Vincent answered passionately. He had been searching for those particular bracers for his character for a while now so he was excited when they were a loot drop the previous night.

“I felt the same way when I got my staff,”  Emily said with a smile as she took a sip of her soda.  It felt nice to able to chat about gaming with Vincent, normally if she were out with a guy she would try not to talk about gaming.  The waitress brought over their food and Emily nodded her thanks as she and Vincent made small talk about gaming and what they wanted to do with their characters and gear.

“I’m debating on leveling herbs, so I can start working on alchemy,”  Emily said as she picked up a fry, the meal and the conversation had been enjoyable and she was hoping they could do this again soon.  

“Oh, I like that.  I’m working on my blacksmithing.”  Vincent said after he had finished after he swallowed the food in his mouth, this had probably been the most fun date he had been on.  Talking with Emily was something he didn’t think he would ever tire of. He was looking forward to the holidays for once. Not just for the massive amounts of food but to be able to spend time with her.  

“Nice, let me know if you want someone to talk to later while you're grinding away,”  Emily said with a small smile as she toyed with her straw.  

“I’d like that,”  Vincent said as he watched her, his eyes glued to the straw and the way her lips moved around it.  He felt his breath catch in his throat at her innocent gesture. It had been too long for him. How was he supposed to spend all that time with her and not kiss her like he wanted to do right now?

Emily sat her drink down and leaned back in the booth. She was full and content.  She wished all of her dates could be like this, the easy way they talked was nice, and she didn’t feel pressured into being someone she wasn’t.  She leaned over and grabbed her wallet, planning to pay for dinner since Vincent had paid for her groceries.

“Let me,”  He said, placing his hand over hers.  Emily let out a little gasp, she hadn’t even seen him move he was so fast.  She bit her lower lip as she peeked up at him, his warm hand against her skin made her feel something she didn’t have a name for right now.  

Vincent pulled his hand away, shocked at the sparks he had felt, he stretched his fingers out and looked between their hands.  He wondered if she was purely human, had she bewitched him?