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The anger, already simmering after his confrontation with the head waiter, spikes when Sesshoumaru finally sees the message from Kagura. Though their affair has never been one of a serious nature, it is Christmas. He’s saved the evening for her well in advance. If their plans now have changed, he’d have liked to have ampler prior warning. Or at the very least a proper phone call instead of a curt message calling things over. Finding out from a head waiter that the dinner reservation had been cancelled was the most humiliating way to receive the news.
“Excuse me?”
He looks up from his phone. A young woman stands hesitantly in front of him, her hair in black tumbling curls, her lips red to match the dress hugging her curves. The anger stills as his interest piques. “Yes?”
“If you don’t have any plans for tonight, you could join me. The dinner’s on me.”
His eyebrow arches. He has the whole evening free now and he’s tempted —by more than just her offer.
“That’s a very generous offer,” he replies, flattered. “But I do not wish to impose.”
She bites her lip, and his gaze gets caught by those small white teeth. “Please. It’s Christmas. It would be good to have some company.”
His waning resolve shatters at the look in her eyes. Her breath catches when he inclines his head.
“Very well. I'd be honoured.”
The head waiter gives them a stare but guides them to a table. They’re seated and settle in their places, casting side-long glances across the table at one another.
She picks up the menu, fiddles with it for a moment, and then sets it down again. “Thank you for agreeing to this. It was good of you.”
Sesshoumaru makes an attempt at levity. “I had a sudden opening in my schedule.”
Her smile flashes at him. And to his fascination, dimples. He picks up his own menu, to keep himself from staring.
Silence settles over them as they study the menus. It's a themed couple’s menu, but there are a few options. Sesshoumaru lingers over the drinks section. Maybe some alcohol would help cut through the tension.
His companion seems to agree. When the waiter arrives, her first order from the menu is a bottle of wine. She slants a glance his way.
“I hope that’s all right?”
“I’m here for the company,” he replied. “It’s the lady’s prerogative.”
Another smile follows, a softer one. Such a simple expression, yet he’s charmed. The anger is fully gone by now, replaced by curiosity and captivation. He doesn’t even know this woman, but something about her tugs at his heartstrings. It’s a feeling he’s never experienced before, and it leaves him eager for more.
The waiter comes with the wine and pours each of them a glass. Once it’s just the two of them again, Sesshoumaru picks up his glass and meets her eyes. Their stares connect and hold.
“I’m Nishimura Sesshoumaru, by the way.”
“Higurashi Kagome,” she introduces herself. She holds out her glass in an invitation.
Sesshoumaru smiles and clinks his glass against hers. “Nice to meet you, Kagome.”
The exchange of names finally breaks through the nerves that have been fluttering in the air between them. The conversation begins to flow between them, natural and easy. He’s usually not the most outgoing person out there so he’s surprised how much he’s enjoying himself. How readily he’s chatting with Kagome.
Their food arrives. It’s as delicious as one might expect from such a high-class restaurant. But even that pales in comparison to his companion.
They talk and laugh and eat and joke and share so many smiles that Sesshoumaru’s cheeks are threatening to ache. Which was not a problem he suffered from too often.
By the time dessert arrives, he’s almost wistful. Their conversation finally hits a lull as they carve out spoonfuls of the shared chocolate mousse. When he looks up, she’s looking at him from under her lashes. Her teeth catch her lip again and Sesshoumaru’s eyes snag, his throat drying a little.
“I love Christmas,” she says at last. “I had the whole evening planned. And decided to stick to the plan, even after my boyfriend broke up with me last week.”
“I’m glad you did,” he says in a low voice.
Her dimples flicker at him and he’s mesmerised. Higurashi Kagome is an enchantress, he’s fairly sure of that.
“I’m glad I did, too,” she admits and brushes a curl behind her ear. “Though my plans didn’t stop with the dinner.”
A slow smile spreads on Sesshoumaru’s lips. “Oh? And what would come after dinner?”
“A walk to go see the Christmas lights.” A smile flirts in the corners of her mouth as she licks her spoon. “Maybe you’d like to join me?”
“I would be delighted,” he says.
They settle the bill — it takes some arguing but Kagome does finally agree to let him pay for his half — and leave their table. He helps her coat on and as they head out the door, the back of her hand brushes against his. Silent and soft snowflakes greet them as they step out onto the street. Their hands brush together a second time and intertwine.