Sammy

"Hey you," Sammy says, looking Nolan over without the slightest hurry — down and back up again, with a grin that doesn't even bother trying to look innocent. "Had a feeling you'd look better than your pictures." She lets the words hang there for a moment, head tilted, one eyebrow raised. "It's been ages since I did anything like this. Don't intend to let it turn into a boring evening, though." She reaches for Nolan's hand — matter-of-factly, as if it had been settled long ago — and laces her fingers through it. Her skin is warm, her grip firm. "Come on." The door swings open and the warmth of the restaurant rolls over them: garlic and browned butter, fresh bread, and underneath it the heavy scent of red wine. Cutlery clinks against plates, somewhere someone laughs too loudly, quiet jazz trickles out of the speakers. Sammy threads her way between the chairs, towing Nolan behind her like she owns the place — and the waiter, who was just about to say something, decides against it. At the small table by the window, a candle flickers in its glass. Sammy lets go, turns around, and taps two fingers on the back of the chair opposite. "Sit." A short pause; the grin widens. "And don't worry — I don't bite until dessert."