Take A Chance On Me

[CALVIN HAGAN]

Cal’s stomach twisted unpleasantly at the way Erin frowned. Obviously his tone was lost on her. “I thought I’d made it pretty clear why I was, well, holding out.” She was pouring coffee and avoiding his stare. Was she really going to revert back now? After all the fun they had this evening? “What if we don’t work out? Do you know what that would do to Molly?” Oh no…there was the doubt again. His heart fell. He had so hoped they’d gotten past this! He took his mug, but he remained silent with a frown and a slightly creased brow. “And I know, one date, what hurt will that be? But one date leads to another and then another, and then…” So she could see their potential too. Cal knew they had chemistry—he’d felt that for weeks, maybe even months. Erin knew it too, but she was hiding behind her daughter. It was frustrating, yet Cal reminded himself that she hadn’t done this before. After so many years of avoiding this kind of interaction, it made sense that she wouldn’t budge easily. “I don’t know, Cal…I don’t know what’s the right thing to do. And besides…” Their eyes met again, his full of disappointment. “I’m a pain. I like things a certain way…I’d drive you nuts in a second, and you would most definitely drive me out of my mind.” She smiled but he didn’t. Her cup tapped against the counter and his did the same as he took a step towards her.

“You think you don’t already drive me nuts? Even now you’re still pushing back against the idea of dating me because you’re so damn stubborn. We had a great time tonight! And now you’re trying to shut me out. Again. You always make me crazy.” His tone wasn’t angry and his voice wasn’t raised, but it was clear he was frustrated. With a sigh, he took another step closer, making sure he had her attention. He even went so far as to grab her arm in a gentle, coaxing grip. “But I still want you to give me a chance, Erin. All of your quirks that get under my skin just make me think about you even more. I think about you scolding me and that turns into thinking about all the other things that annoyed me. And then that turns into thinking about all of the things that I like about you. Your smile, your laugh, your eyes, your banter…” Color crept into his cheeks but he refused to take his hazel eyes off the deep brown of hers. “It’s because you make me crazy that I’m begging you to give me a chance to show you that we can make this work. Molly doesn’t have to know until you’re ready for her to. You don’t have to lie to her either. Be honest that you’re dating someone, you’re just not ready for her to meet him. Parents do it all the time.” His desperation was clear in his eyes that kept flickering to her lips and back. Why did her mouth have to be so inviting?

His heart was pounding, his face and ears hot as he unconsciously moved closer. “I won’t stop asking. I can’t help it. I haven’t felt like this for any woman in ages and I’m not willing to give up on that. Especially not when I’m fairly certain you feel the same.” He could see the color in her cheeks now and it was all he could do not to pull her into him. It was too much. She was so close, so beautiful, so intoxicating…Before he could stop himself, he leaned down and pressed his lips to Erin’s. It was a gentle kiss but firmer than the last one he’d given her. And this time she tilted her chin up, pressing her mouth back into his just enough to let him know she wouldn’t object this time. Adrenaline rushed through him, emboldening him to part her lips with his as their kiss deepened. There was no tongue of course, but it wasn’t the shy, brief kiss he had given her before. It wasn’t until he pulled his lips back that he realized he’d been holding his breath and it left him feeling a little dizzy. His eyes opened and focused on Erin’s, keeping his face close. “And now I know you feel the same.” It was a confident statement, but he knew he wasn’t wrong. “Give me a chance, Erin. Please.”

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

Her eyes moved up to his as he stepped closer to her, her heart suddenly pounding at the look he was giving her. “You think you don’t already drive me nuts? Even now you’re still pushing back against the idea of dating me because you’re so damn stubborn." She felt her lips pursing as he spoke to her, the fingers on her mug tightening as she watched him. "We had a great time tonight! And now you’re trying to shut me out. Again. You always make me crazy.” She could tell he was frustrated, but he was doing a surprisingly good job of keeping himself under control. He stepped closer and Erin felt her body tense slightly. Why did he need to be so near? This would be easier if he could just stay put. His hand slipped onto her arm and she bit her lower lip a little, resisting the urge to pull away. It wasn't that she didn't like him touching her, it was more a fear of what that touch might make her feel.

“But I still want you to give me a chance, Erin. All of your quirks that get under my skin just make me think about you even more. I think about you scolding me and that turns into thinking about all the other things that annoyed me. And then that turns into thinking about all of the things that I like about you. Your smile, your laugh, your eyes, your banter…” She saw the pink blossom on his cheeks and knew her own were probably deep red. Did he really like all those things? Could this actually work out? “It’s because you make me crazy that I’m begging you to give me a chance to show you that we can make this work." Begging? "Molly doesn’t have to know until you’re ready for her to. You don’t have to lie to her either. Be honest that you’re dating someone, you’re just not ready for her to meet him. Parents do it all the time.” Did parents do it all the time? She felt shaky on her legs, her heart beating in her throat, which felt like sandpaper. Why was he so close? “I won’t stop asking. I can’t help it. I haven’t felt like this for any woman in ages and I’m not willing to give up on that. Especially not when I’m fairly certain you feel the same.” She knew he liked her, he'd made it clear, but she had no idea it was to this extent. She liked him well enough, but Erin was fairly certain that Cal felt for her more than she did for him. Did that make her a terrible person? She didn't have time mull it over before he was pushing his lips to hers again.

Frozen. Erin was frozen, but unlike the last time he did this, she soon found herself easing up. It had been over a decade since she'd kissed anyone. Her chin turned upwards, allowing him to kiss her and even returning it on some level, but truth was she was mostly clueless. She followed his lead though, finding it all suddenly thrilling. This wasn't the end of the world.. she'd devoted twelve years to her daughter. Didn't she deserve someone taking care of her? Especially someone so willing? He liked her, he adored Molly.. he had no major baggage of his own, and he had a good job. He was a bit older but he kept his youthful looks, and being a cop had certainly aided in his physique. All in all she knew she could do a whole lot worse than Cal.

When he finally pulled back her dark eyes fluttered open to look up at him, feeling dizzy. They had kissed for real this time, and she had allowed it to happen. She'd actually participated. “And now I know you feel the same.” Her brows furrowed suddenly as she gave a little pout, not appreciated being called out like that. “Give me a chance, Erin. Please.” Twelve. At twelve she could handle some disappointment.. If things didn't go as intended, Molly would be fine. She would be fine.. wouldn't she? "Alright." She finally said in a soft, raspy voice sounding almost child like as she stood so close to him. "We'll try it out." The look he gave her, the way he smiled, made her stomach twist again. How was it possible she could make him that happy with just five stupid words? He kissed her again and she felt herself laugh a little against his mouth, not entirely sure what to make of his enthusiasm. She kissed him back before putting her hands on his chest and pushing him back a little. "But we're going to need to ease into this whole kissing thing. It's been a while.." She bit the inside of her lip and smiled shyly before turning back to her coffee, rolling her eyes at his response. "So, what.. are you my boyfriend now?" She taunted, turning to look up at him again, a flirty sort of spark in her eyes. This was so so surreal.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“Alright.” Cal’s breath caught in his chest as he stared at Erin in shock. Had he heard that right? Her voice was so soft, even with the small distance between them he couldn’t be sure of what he’d heard. “We’ll try it out.” That was clear enough. As his smile grew across his face, Cal let out the breath he was holding. He couldn’t stop his smile from stretching almost to his ears. After all the questioning, all of the long hours he’d spent trying to push her out of his mind, all of the kicking himself for giving into his feelings for her, Erin was finally agreeing to let him in. He had a real chance at a relationship with the woman he couldn’t get out of his head. How long had it been since he felt this kind of elation? Without thinking, he brought his mouth to hers again and kissed her passionately. It wasn’t a deep kiss, but he held her face still so that there would be no doubt as to how happy he was to have her. She let out a sound like a laugh against his lips and it pull the smile back to his mouth. Her hands came to his chest and he was forced to separate their liplock to look into her eyes. “But we’re going to need to ease into this whole kissing thing. It’s been a while…” He grinned mischievously. “Oh, we can practice all you want. I don’t mind.” The way she rolled her eyes made him chuckle before letting her finally slip away from him. He was satisfied for the moment.

Turning back to his coffee as she did, Cal reached for some sugar and pulled it closer to their coffee mugs. “So, what…are you my boyfriend now?” He looked down at Erin and couldn’t deny that his heart skipped a beat to see the flirty look on her face. Had she ever given him a look like that before? A sly smile creased his lips before he shrugged. “Well, I thought we were just dating now. But I can be your boyfriend if you want.” He grinned with his tease, realizing that maybe she didn’t know the steps to this whole dating thing. Wasn’t he the first guy she’d ever dated? Scooping some sugar into his coffee, he stirred it with a thoughtful look up to the ceiling. “Actually…I kinda like the sound of that. My girlfriend the baker. My girlfriend Erin.” He looked back down at her with a wide smile. “I can even write it in my diary tonight. Then write our initials inside a heart.” He mimicked the action in the air before grinning at her response. She finished fixing her coffee and moved towards the table and he did the same.

“Seriously though, do you want to just skip all the pleasantries and make it official? It doesn’t really change anything. If it doesn’t work out we have to do the whole break-up thing anyway. And if does work out, it saves a conversation later.” He shrugged, taking his seat at the table before sipping his coffee. “Whatever makes you comfortable. I’m just happy I get to take you out again next weekend.” Smiling wide, he took another sip of his coffee. He felt like he could fly he was so happy. He was officially dating Erin and that was all that mattered.

[ERIN O'BRIEN]

“Well, I thought we were just dating now. But I can be your boyfriend if you want.” she let out a small laugh as her eyes rolled playfully, reaching for the creamer. “Actually…I kinda like the sound of that. My girlfriend the baker. My girlfriend Erin.” She cocked a brow up at him, offering an incredulous sort of look not entirely sure if he was messing with her. “I can even write it in my diary tonight. Then write our initials inside a heart.” Her eyes rolled and she shook her head. "What would your officers think if they knew you kept a diary with hearts?" She taunted, smiling at the way his face lit in a sweet grin. She could do a lot worse, that was for sure.

Erin made her way to the table, sliding into a chair and watching Cal sink into the one caddy corner to her. “Seriously though, do you want to just skip all the pleasantries and make it official? It doesn’t really change anything." Her brows raised and her lips parted slightly at his suggestion. She hadn't been serious! And it seemed until that moment he hadn't been either. "If it doesn’t work out we have to do the whole break-up thing anyway. And if does work out, it saves a conversation later.” Her lips pursed as she considered it. She'd already agreed to actually date him, but using real titles? Already? It all made her uneasy. She wasn't sure how she felt about the entire thing yet. What ever happened to taking things slow? Was she too old for that now? “Whatever makes you comfortable. I’m just happy I get to take you out again next weekend.” Next weekend!?

"You're pushing it, Hagan." She warned, pointing her mug at him before taking a sip. It was a lot to process and she needed to really consider it all. It wouldn't be the end of the world.. accepting this wouldn't be the worst thing, but moving too quickly scared the pants off of her. And she still had to consider Molly. "Let's compromise." She said after finally pulling her coffee from her lips, holding it on the table with her fingertips. "Let's do three dates, real dates where I call it a date because this one doesn't count, and assuming all goes well we can throw titles into the mix. I need to ease into this, it's not rocket science that this all makes me a bit uneasy." She reminded. He agreed and she was grateful for that, her eyes gazing across at him from above her steaming coffee. "As for next weekend, I'll have to get back to you. I know Cora or Julie will say yes, but I still need to double check." She pointed a warning finger at him, "And don't you go asking for me, I get the feeling you're both conspiring against me." She teased, not really thinking that, but knowing that Cora was on board with Erin dating the cop.

"Assuming all goes as planned, what did you have in mind?" She asked, bringing the mug back to her lips. Agreeing to a date with Cal over coffee in her house was the last thing she expected when she'd woken up that morning.

[CALVIN HAGAN]

“You’re pushing it, Hagan.” Erin brandished her mug at Cal and he simply raised his hands in surrender. It was worth a shot! For a moment she seemed to be thinking it over and Cal felt a slightly tightening in his stomach. Had he scared her off? “Let’s compromise.” She set her coffee down and he focused completely on her pretty face, ready to hear her terms. “Let’s do three dates, real dates where I call it a date because this one doesn’t count, and assuming all goes well we can throw titles into the mix. I need to ease into this, it’s not rocket science that this all makes me a bit uneasy.” Cal nodded, understanding. It wasn’t like he’d been totally serious. Sure, it would have been nice if she agreed, but he hadn’t been banking on it. “That’s a fair compromise.” She looked relieved. “As for next weekend, I’ll have to get back to you. I know Cora or Julie will say yes, but I still need to double check.” Suddenly she pointed at him and his eyes widened. “And don’t you go asking for me, I get the feeling you’re both conspiring against me.” He laughed as he gave her a curious and pleased look. “I had no idea she was trying to play matchmaker, but it’s good to know she’s rooting for me.” His grin widened. It was good to hear he had another ally among her small circle of trusted people.

“Assuming all goes as planned, what did you have in mind?” She brought her mug back to her plush lips and he was suddenly very aware of how much he wanted to kiss her again. He gave a shrug, snapping out of his thoughts to think of a first date. “We could do a traditional dinner and a movie first date.” What kinds of movies did she like? He knew she liked Harry Potter, but that didn’t say much. A lot of people liked Harry Potter—it didn’t mean they necessarily liked action or fantasy. Erin appeared to mull that over and Cal continued to think of something more original. With the chill in the air, it wouldn’t be smart to suggest wandering around the pier. “Or we could go to the museum. I’ve never actually been since I moved here, but I hear there’s some interesting exhibits there.” Thinking about the area of town around the museum, he suddenly remembered the ice skating rink nearby. “Or we can go ice skating. And yes, it’s a good excuse to hold your hand.” He grinned again, noting the pink in her cheeks.

They spent the next several minutes throwing around ideas and ultimately deciding they would do all three of those things for their first three dates. The next weekend, if he was lucky, he and Erin would go to the museum. It all seemed so surreal to be making plans for a real date with Erin. Cal was going to be on a cloud for the weekend and probably all of the next week. When they finished their coffee and chatting, Cal decided it would be best if he said good night. Erin walked him to the door and he took one more chance. “May I kiss you good night?” he asked, not wanting to surprise her this time. But asking seemed to fluster her as well, though much more subtly. To his delight, she agreed. He put his arm around her waist as he drew closer, leaning down slowly until their lips touched. His free hand lightly brushed her jaw with his knuckles as his fingers found their way to the nape of her neck. It wasn’t the same as the rushed, spur of the moment kisses he’d laid on her previously. This was patient, gentle and vaguely seductive. Cal may not have kissed many women since entering his thirties, but he was proud of the kissing technique he’d honed in his younger years. The man still had his charm. When he pulled away, his adrenaline was rushing through his limbs even as a calm smile curled his lips. “See you soon.” And with that, he left feeling incredibly triumphant.

--------------------------------THE END--------------------------------