Hailey felt heat rise in her cheeks, but she smiled back, unable to deny the truth in his words.
Before she could respond, a waiter appeared at their table.
He was young, probably close to Hailey's age, with the kind of eager professionalism that suggested he was new to the job.
"Good evening," he said, his voice bright and attentive. "What can I get you to drink?"
"Can you give me a moment?" Hailey asked, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by the menu and the situation. "I've never been to a place like this before. I don't know what to order."
The waiter opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Eric leaned over and kissed Hailey.
It was sudden and unexpected, and Hailey could taste the wine on his lips.
The waiter's eyes widened, and he took a step back, clearly unsure how to respond to the display.
"Don't be nervous," Eric said to Hailey, his voice low and reassuring.
Then he turned to the waiter, his expression hardening.
"What are you looking at?" he asked. "Get us some drinks."
The waiter's face flushed red, and he stammered something about returning in a few minutes before hurrying away.
Hailey sat frozen, her heart racing from the unexpected kiss and the uncomfortable interaction with the waiter.
"Eric," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "That was..."
"What?" Eric asked, leaning closer to her. "Amazing?"
The wine on his breath hit her like a wave, and she could see the slight glassiness coating his eyes.
"You're drunk, aren't you?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
"I'm perfectly fine," Eric slurred, proving her point. "Never been better, actually."
"Have you picked what you want?" he asked, as if the previous few minutes hadn't happened.
Hailey glanced around the restaurant. "I think maybe we should leave."
Several other diners were staring in their direction, some with expressions of disapproval, others with barely concealed amusement.
The hostess was speaking urgently to someone who looked like a manager, gesturing toward their table.
"Why would we leave?" Eric asked, his voice taking on a whining tone. "I like it here. The ambiance is... atmospheric."
"Because you're drunk," Hailey said, keeping her voice low. "And you're making a scene."
"I'm not making a scene," Eric protested, his voice rising slightly. "This is what normal people call having a good time."
"Normal people don't kiss their dates and then snap at waiters," Hailey whispered.
Eric looked around the restaurant as if seeing it for the first time. "Oh. Did I do that?"
"Yes, Eric," she said patiently. "You did that."
"Well," he said, standing up with the careful deliberation of someone trying very hard not to wobble. "In that case, fine. Let's go."
He reached for his wallet, fumbling with it for a moment before pulling out several bills without counting them.
Hailey gasped. "Eric, that's way too much —"
"Money is no object," he declared, tossing the bills on the table with theatrical flair. "We are people of means."
Hailey winced. "We're people who are about to be banned from this restaurant."
The walk to the exit felt like it took forever.
Eric moved slowly and deliberately, concentrating on each step like he was walking a tightrope.
"Left foot, right foot, left foot," he muttered under his breath.
"Are you seriously giving yourself walking instructions?" Hailey asked.
"It's called being responsible," Eric replied with dignity. "I'm being very responsible right now."
The hostess watched them leave with a mixture of relief and concern.
"Have a lovely evening," she called out, though her tone suggested she hoped they wouldn't be back anytime soon.
"You too!" Eric called back cheerfully, nearly stumbling over the threshold.
Once they were outside, Hailey took a deep breath of the cool evening air.
"Where is your car?" she asked.
"I took a cab," Eric said, swaying slightly. "Smart move, right? Very responsible of me."
"Surprisingly, yes," Hailey agreed, looking at him standing unsteadily on the sidewalk in his expensive clothes.
Despite everything, she felt a wave of protectiveness wash over her.
"Come on," she said, taking his arm. "I'm driving you home."
"Not home," Eric said, allowing her to guide him toward her car. "Your place."
She paused. "Eric..."
"Please," he said, and there was something in his voice that made her hesitate. The playful drunkenness faded for a moment, replaced by something more vulnerable. "I don't want to be alone right now."
"What happened today?" she asked gently. "You can tell me, you know."
Eric was quiet for a long moment. "Victoria happened. She always happens."
---
Getting Eric up the stairs to her apartment proved more challenging than Hailey had anticipated.
"Why are there so many steps?" Eric complained, gripping the banister. "Who designed this building? A mountain climber?"
"It's only two flights," Hailey said, trying not to laugh.
"That's two too many," Eric replied, stopping to lean against the wall. "I think I need a rest."
"Come on, Eric," Hailey said tiredly. "You can rest when we get inside."
"But I'm tired now," he said, sounding like a whining child.
"Eric, you cannot take a nap in the hallway."
"Watch me," he said, sliding down the wall slightly.
"Oh no, you don't." Hailey grabbed his arm, pulling him back up. "Come on, we're almost there."
Eric allowed himself to be carried up another few steps before stopping again.
"Your building has character," he said, running his hand along the slightly worn banister.
"It's old," Hailey said, unlocking her door. "But it's home."
"I like old things," Eric mused. "They have stories."
Hailey laughed. "Oh, yeah? And what story does this banister tell you?"
"That many hands have held it," he said solemnly. "Probably some of them were drunk too."
Once inside, Eric headed straight for her couch, dropping onto it with a dramatic sigh of relief.
"Finally," he declared. "Civilization."
"Be careful with that couch," Hailey warned. "The springs are temperamental."
As if to prove her point, the couch let out a loud creak of protest.
Eric froze. "Did I break it?"
"No," she laughed. "It always does that. It's like a grumpy old man."
"I can relate," Eric said, settling back more carefully. "We understand each other, this couch and I."
"And yet, you're still denying that you're drunk," Hailey said, setting her keys on the kitchen counter.
"I'm not drunk," Eric insisted, his voice slightly muffled by the couch cushions. "I'm just... relaxed. Very, very relaxed."
"Right," Hailey said, shaking her head. "I'm going to take a shower. Try not to break anything while I'm gone."
"Where are you going?" Eric asked, his voice suddenly alert, almost panicked.
"To take a shower," Hailey repeated, surprised by his reaction. "I'll be right back."
"How long is 'right back'?" he asked.
"Ten minutes, maybe fifteen. Why?"
"Just... don't be long," Eric said, settling back into the couch. "I might get lonely."
"You'll survive," Hailey said, gathering some clean clothes from her bedroom.