Chapter Text
Carrie had to admit, she was beyond nervous for her upcoming date with the stranger from Bludhaven.
Unlike meeting Hunter at Trivia Night, with Eddie and Iris and Felicity there and the casual atmosphere...this was different.
It turned out, this wasn't a double date.
It was just going to be her....and him. At a nice restaurant.
This was a nightmare!
She didn't even know his name, the reservations were under 'West'! Iris was trying to keep the mystery going all the longer.
Iris, who was smiling at her with a cat that ate the canary grin.
“You are terrible for enjoying my suffering,” she growled.
“I am indeed,” that grin should not be able to get wider; it did.
As Carrie went for her shower, Iris pulled out the pretty pale pink dress that Carrie had worn almost a month ago at the party for Stagg Industries. It had already been proven she could run in it so even though she'd be 'off-duty' if she needed to use her abilities she could.
Iris made a mental note to keep that in mind when they went on their next girls' day – she seriously needed more skirts and dresses then what she had.
-----
She felt awkward and out of place as she stood before the hostess. This place was nice. Expensive looking. How had they seriously gotten reservations here?! “Um. I'm here for a party of two, under the name of West?”
“Hi there!” The voice was not the hostess. Definitely not. It was deep and smooth like velvet.
She whirled to find herself looking at a man who had been sitting, waiting for the rest of his party. He stood up and she actually had to look up. That was a nice difference. And then he stepped into the light and she felt a blush burn its way up from her belly all the way to her hairline.
Holy hell he was....oh wow. She put him right up there with Hunter Zolomon levels of attractive.
Maybe even hotter.
And she didn't think that was possible.
His shoulders were broad but tapered into a lean, athletic body that his – tailored? - dark blue suit clung to in all the nicest ways. And he had the bluest, kindest eyes, full of humor and she was almost jealous of how thick and long his eyelashes were.
And his mouth...
Oh boy.
“I've been waiting for you.” he said, reaching a hand out.
She placed her hand in his, squeaking stupidly. No way. This beautiful sexy man had been waiting--- “F-for me?” Her eyes were wide in dismay. “I'm not that late am I, I mean--”
“Its only been a few minutes, you're on time. I was just early,” he reassure her with a friendly smile.
“I'm Dick Grayson, Eddie's friend. You must be Iris's.”
“I-I am! I'm Carrie Allen...” she stammered as he bowed over her hand. He didn't kiss it, but that probably would have made her faint – she was already feeling lightheaded.
She was going to murder Iris. And Eddie.
And then he tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and she was aware that the Hostess was waiting to lead them to their table.
After dinner.
She'd kill them after dinner.
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He was used to being set up on blind dates but this was the first time Eddie had ever done it. Then again, this was the first time Eddie had truly started to seriously date anyone.
Bruce had trained him to arrive early, to observe his surroundings and the people there.
He'd only been waiting a few minutes when she walked in; she looked nervous, uncertain and he wondered if this was his date. She was tall for a woman, the top of her head would come level his lips.
She wore sensible white flats – plain and unadorned. Good for walking or even running in if she had to, he thought with a twinge of approval that sounded faintly like Bruce.
Her legs were long and surprisingly well muscled.
Runner's legs.
And rear, from what he could tell with how the pale pink fabric of her short, sleeveless dress clung in very flattering ways to her hips and the swell of her buttocks. Her shoulders and arms were well toned...but not probably from her work in the forensics lab. She exercised, from Eddie told him – preferred to walk and take public transport for where she needed to go.
From what he could see of her hair, it was a dark blonde – short and swept back. Professional and easy to manage. Another twinge of approval for the young CSI and he hadn't even seen her face.
What if this wasn't her? He wondered right until she spoke, her voice soft and shy as she asked about the party of two under the name of West.
He smiled. “Hi there.”
She spun around, the hem of the short dress swirling high on those toned thighs.
Oh.
She was a pretty one, he thought as he stood. Wide, soft round blue eyes with thick, long eyelashes and a pretty lush pink mouth... Her make up was subtle, which was very nice. It accented her heart shaped face very nicely.
At least Eddie hadn't been exaggerating. Which was good, he decided as he stepped forward.
Oh...look at that blush.
“I've been waiting for you.” he said, reaching a hand out.
Her hand was trembling as she placed it in his; he wondered if she was aware of that? Probably not.
And then she made the most adorable squeak. “F-for me?” Her eyes went wide, as though dismayed. “I'm not that late am I, I mean--”
“Its only been a few minutes, you're on time. I was just early,” he reassure her with a friendly smile. Oh she was easy to read, open and genuine. That was...nice. Very nice. More often than not, his dates knew who he was and had dollar signs in their eyes.
She only had awe and surprise in hers, but certainly no recognition.
“I'm Dick Grayson, Eddie's friend. You must be Iris's.”
Still no recognition in her eyes at his name. Maybe she was one of the rare types that didn't read tabloids? That was...nice.
“I-I am! I'm Carrie Allen...” she stammered as he bowed over her hand. He thought about kissing her hand, but refrained; she looked overwhelmed by everything already.
He straightened, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm – manners, always remember the manners Bruce and Alfred had taught him. Dick glanced to the Hostess and gave her a charming smile, allowing her to lead them to their waiting table.