Date night pt 1

As Chris finishes recording the results, Amy begins to detach the electrodes. I always help calibrate their equipment, and even though I'm not the only one trained, I somehow always end up being the first test subject after every software update.

David slips silently into the room. Chris turns toward him just as he walks in, and for a brief moment, something strange passes between them. David glances at the screen, then at Chris, there's something unreadable in his expression. I have no idea what he saw, but the way they look at each other... it's weird. Off. Tensed, maybe. But they don't really know each other. What is it ?

"Amy, if you're done with her, I'm stealing her for the evening," David says casually.

My heart nearly launches out of my chest.

He says it out loud, in front of everyone. Amy knows, of course, but Chris doesn't. Did he just openly announced we're going on a date? Just like that? I can't tell if it's bold, serious, or just… impulsive. Amy grins like she's been waiting her whole life for this moment, then finishes removing the last few electrodes and gives me a dramatic little shove out of the chair.

"Be good, you two! And text me when you're home, kiddos!" she jokes.

David doesn't miss a beat. "Don't wait up. We'll be on time for work tomorrow."

Chris blinks, looking between the three of us. His expression is... unreadable. Not angry, not shocked, but distant and perplex. Blank. I can't tell if he's just confused or quietly losing his mind. Either way, it makes the heat in my cheeks flare tenfold.

David places a hand around my waist and gently guides me toward the hallway. We head down to our office to grab our things. I'm still trying to slow my pulse, unsure what any of this means, what he means.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"Thought we'd take a little walk… then dinner at my place."

I nod, a smile pulling at my lips. I don't care what we do. Honestly, just sitting in a chair in his living room sounds like a perfect evening to me.