The Five

The Night Out

The rest of the week went by quickly and in almost a flash they were at the bar. They’d only been there about ten minutes and Felicity was waiting to order at the bar, talking with Devin who was probably her best friend at work, when Kelly almost shrieked. 

“Erik I’m so glad you could make it! When you didn’t meet up with us at the office I was sure you’d cancelled on poor Felicity”. Kelly could not help but to condescend. She was so incredibly jealous of Felicity somehow knowing this man, let alone his constant attention to her.

Erik looked taller than ever being surrounded by so many people despite being well over 6 feet already. He looked more stunning than she’d expected wearing his black suit and black shirt with the top two buttons undone. Casual and yet so distinguished. Felicity was happy he hadn’t come in a T-shirt but back in her mind she was worried about her outfit. She’d decided on a long, if not a little cheap, dress with a high collar. It was plain black and she always liked how it accentuated her figure when she was in a particularly feminine mood but she was outclassed on another level.

Ignoring Kelly he walked right up to Felicity, grabbed the small of her back, and whispered into her ear “I’m glad I made it in time”. Kelly was red in the face from anger and embarrassment but neither of them noticed. They were too busy eating each other up with their eyes.

He was just close enough not to touch but the electricity between them crackled you could almost see it. She turned her head, smiling ever so preciously.

Erik felt the shock Felicity shot out and both of them felt the wave of warmth that was coming from Erik.

“You could have come right as we were leaving and it would have been fine”. Felicity was hoping he wouldn’t show up so as not to deal with Kelly but having shown up she rippled with happiness. She did cherish him; it was written across her face. She realized she’d deal with anyone, anything, to spend time with him. It wouldn’t matter.

Breaking out of the otherworld they were in, Felicity realized Devin was still sitting next to her.

“Oh my god I almost forgot to make introductions. Erik, this is Devin. She’s my office favorite”.

“Devin, what a pleasure to meet you. Anyone who Felicity speaks so highly of must be worth knowing.”

Devin had wide eyes and quickly turned her open mouth into a smile. She’d had to listen to the gossip going around the office but this man was something else. Reaching her hand out to shake his she warmly said,

“It’s so nice to meet you Erik. Anyone who’s a friend of Felicity must be nice”. Internally she shreiked at how stupid that came out but Erik, tactful as ever, moved right along.

“So what will you two fine lady’s be having?” Erik asked with a coy smile

“I was about to order for us. Would you like me to grab something for you too?” Felicity had just gotten the attention of the bartender and was happy to include the two of them in her order.

“No need, I’ll pick up the tab for you two. Consider it a thank you for inviting me out”.

Before Felicity could decline Devin spat out, “You don’t have to ask us twice. I’ll have a whiskey sour. Lis usually gets a double whiskey, neat. Er or maybe we should just get a glass of wine”. Devin changed her tune when she saw the horror hidden behind Felicity’s eyes. She did not want to look like a, well she didn’t know what, but she thought ordering hard liquor, a double on top of that, was a bad move her first time out with Erik.

He didn’t skip a beat and had already ordered the drinks, getting himself the same as Felicity.

Both of them were a little taken aback when they saw he’d ordered from the top shelf. Which really, for the bar they were at, wasn’t really top shelf but still. Devin felt that he was trying to show off a little but she didn’t mind. Let him show off all he wants.

They went back to the table and Erik was introduced to everyone who had come out. He was kind and courteous to everyone and spent little time talking about himself. He asked a lot of questions and though he’d seemed intimidating from his looks and that intense stare coming from his bright turquoise eyes, they all warmed up to him quickly.

As the night wore on Erik was roped to Felicity’s side, only leaving to pick up another round for her and her friend. She could feel his closeness even when she wasn’t looking at him. It wasn’t tension that was building, it was more of a connection growing. She’d feel that wave crash over her anytime they’d brush one another just as he felt that static. It was crowded so it couldn’t be helped but Felicity was unusually happy that there were so many people so she could feel that closeness.

Everyone there couldn’t help but be drawn to both of them the same way they were drawn to one another. Felicity never once realized she was just as much a subject of fascination as Erik was. Strangers would break up their group, not realizing they’d come out with friends, but Erik had a way of getting rid of them, or Devin would stand in between to talk about something mundane until they left.

“Devin, why don’t you tell Erik about the new litigation you’ve been assigned to. She’s working with one of the partners because of how high profile it is”.

“I wouldn’t want to bore him Lis”.

“No I’d really like to hear about it. Felicity mentioned how passionate you are at work and I always like to hear about what interests people most”.

Having had, perhaps, a little too much to drink Devin was quick to jump in, perhaps a little too loudly.

“Okay so company A owns a facility that historically doesn’t follow standard, legal practices when handling patients. I have to keep things vague for someone outside the firm”.

“Naturally,” Erik said with that intoxicating smile.

Ignoring her blush that may or may not have come from the alcohol, Devin dived back in.”Company B, supposedly for the first time, failed to ensure a patient was properly transferred over,” making air quotes when saying supposedly.

“Our client’s mother developed.. Well lets just say bodily issues for right now because it’s mmm a gross visual. Right now I have to go through every medical chart, which are all lacking crucial information, to prove that while Company B is at fault for the initial issues, Company A failed to resolve what,” Devin rolled her hand, “ is a simple fix at the stage she came in with”.

Erik was about to ask questions about what evidence she had to sort through when Kelly butted in.

“Oh my god I haven’t had a chance to talk to you all night!” The slurring in Kelly’s speech was obvious and the way she wobbled made it unquestionable she was already drunk. And Felicity had been nervous about a whiskey.

“So Erik,” Kelly rested her hand on his chest, both to get in between him and Felicity and Devin, and to stabilize herself.

“Why don’t you buy me a drink? I saw that you were getting Devin them and I think it’s rude to ignore the other,” hiccup, “prettier ladies”. She let out a strange, garbed laugh and Devin and Felicity just looked at each other and smiled. Kelly was notorious for getting slooshed at their bar runs and while they never talked about her antics they always got a smile seeing them.

Disdainfully, Erik grabbed a chair for Kelly to sit on.

“Sure thing why don’t you sit here”.

Devin was shocked he would so quickly respond to Kelly’s request, particularly after her snide remark. Felicity couldn’t be bothered. She just wanted him to come back as soon as possible.

Kelly couldn’t hide her delight especially in her inebriated state.

“Ha. He really knows how to treat a real woman. Are you sure he’s gay?”

Before Devin could snap at her Felicity said “Kelly I never said he was. You thought that. Yes he is a real gentleman. I’m so glad you’re having a… Great night”.

“Oh I’m sure it’ll get better,” hiccup, “once we leave for the night,” smiling sickly Felicity did want to give her a reality check but knew it wasn’t worth it. Thankfully Erik arrived back in time.

“Here Kelly, I thought you’d enjoy this”.

She took a big gulp before twisting her face. 

“This is water! I said I wanted a drink!”

“Water is a drink,” Erik said succinctly. “Besides it looked like you could use it”.

As Kelly started to seeth Erik looked over at Felicit, his sea blue eyes flashing.

“Dear we really should be heading out. Our reservation is coming up and I think we’ve had more than enough fun with your coworkers for one night” he said, emphasising ‘more’ towards Kelly but not taking his eyes off of Felicity.

“I almost forgot you’re right”.

“You can stay here and get all your things together while I go settle the tab,” and without another word walked away to the bar.

“We love a confident man,” Devin said, smirking at Felicity.

“I didn’t know you had dinner plans too. Looks like someone’s trying extra hard”.

“Oh stop it Devin,” Felicity huffed, “He just wanted a chance to talk that wasn’t during one of my breaks. Plus I owe him for putting up with you all night”. Felicity gave her a sarcastic smile as Devin pushed her arm, gently.

“You two kids have fun, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Devin said with a wink.

They were having so much fun pushing each others’ buttons they hadn’t noticed Kelly had slinked off behind Erik.