The rest of the hour passes by quickly as Brooke and Patrick finalize the contract, wrapping up the meeting when all parties had signed on the dotted line. Everyone says there goodbyes and Matt congratulates Brooke once more on a swift negotiation. Then Eric taking Brooke by the arm leads her outside.
No sooner then the outside air tickles theirs skins Eric is scooping Brooke up into a bear hug. Causing all the air to whoosh out of her lungs. "That was impressive," He exclaims has he continues to squeeze her. Brooke manages to suck in enough air to choke out, "Mr. Matthews I can't breath." With a sheepish grin Eric lets her slide back down to the ground but still keeps his arms around her. The intimacy of the gesture has Brooke's cheeks flaming up.
Quickly she steps back out of arms reach and adjusts her outfit which has ridden up slightly from the contact. Regaining her self composure she flashes her business smile, "I'm glad I could help Mr. Matthews." Reaching back into her bag she pulls out a list with names and numbers on them and hands them to Eric. Explaining them as she does so, "I took the liberty of writing down some local agents who have excellent reputations. I suggest calling James Pierce first. He's Maxine's rival for very good reasons. His clients all love him. He helped Pratt Myers gain a half a million more in renegotiations with the Falcons last quarter."
Eric looks at the list shaking his head. Then with swift ease he rips the paper in half tossing the pieces behind, "I appreciate your efforts Brooke but I've all ready found Maxine's replacement."
Startled Brooke asks, "Who? When you phoned this morning I was under the impression you still hadn't found one."
"I haven't signed with one. I was waiting till after her first successful negotiation to ask her."
Brooke's eyes grow wide at his insinuation.
Stepping back into her personal space Eric gazes down at her with the sexiest grin Brooke has ever seen, "How's about we go out to lunch? We can talk about my contact and celebrate your accomplishment?" He tilts his head to the side making his expression even more drop dead gorgeous as the early afternoon sunlight beats off his tanned features.
Brooke has to swallow the lump in her throat before she can respond, "Lunch would be great."
Exhaling as if he'd been holding his breath in, Eric says, "Excellent!" Turning he walks towards the passenger side of a red mustang parked a few spaces away, tossing over his shoulder, "I'll drive. I know this great little hole-in-the-wall place not too far from here." He holds the passenger side door open for her looking at her expectantly. Quickly squelching the panic attack that threatens to consume her Brooke rushes to get in.
The entire situation seems unreal. She has her first client. Eric is her first client.
The fact she that she is going to lunch with Eric Matthews, Atlanta's number one bachelor hadn't escaped her notice either. No, this is strictly a business lunch she mentally scolds herself. There shall be no fantasizing about the way his polo clings to the hard muscles of his chest and abs or his bulging biceps. This is strictly business she reiterates to herself.
Eric has just fired his last agent for sexual harassment and here she was entering negotiations with him and harboring sexual thoughts about him. Shaking her head she pushes aside all non professional thoughts about Eric. Unlike Maxine she was a professional through and through. She would do the job Eric - Mr. Matthews was hiring her to do without overstepping the boundaries of their professional relationship.
Eric parks the car out front of a little restaurant called Tony's. Brooke scrambles out of the car gulping down the fresh air to clear Eric's tantalizing cologne from her nose and immediately makes a beeline for the door. Giving Eric no choice but to follow her.
Inside Brooke scans the little space for a private yet non intimate table for them and winds up snagging one near the empty bar.
No sooner then they sit down a young perky waitress bounds over to them. Her brown eyes go all wide and bright as she takes in who has just sat down at her table. The poor girl looses all control of her motor functions more specifically her vocal cords. Words just start tumbling out of her mouth like water gushing out of a broken pipe, "Oh my God! You're Eric Matthews!" Her high pitched squeal causes Brooke to wince. "I am such a huge fan! My dad and I go to all your games."
Eric just plasters on a bright smile that doesn't quite meet his eyes and says, "Well it's always nice to run into a fan." With eyes only for Eric she asks, "What can I get y'all to drink?"
Eric looks beseechingly at Brooke, motioning for her to go first. "I'll have a Dr Pepper please," the waitress never even glances at Brooke just jots her drink order down on her little pad while keeping her eyes glued to Eric.
Unfortunately for their waitress Eric doesn't seem to be as interested. He merely says that he'll have the same as Brooke and sends her on her way. The girl sighs as she backs away, not wanting to take her eyes off Eric till she absolutely has to. She nearly knocks into a bus boy coming around the corner of the bar because of it.
Eric groans, "I'm sorry Brooke. I chose this place cause I know the owner. Usually the staff here knows I like to keep a low profile." He shrugs apologetically.
Brooke waves off his apology, "Please don't apologize Mr. Matthews. You're a player for the Atlanta Braves. Starting pitcher for the Braves," she adds with a wink, "Her reaction is hardly an uncommon one. Now about your contract. Are there any questions you'd like to ask regarding my qualifications or how I might be able to benefit your career?"
A boisterous laugh erupts from Eric's beautiful mouth as he asks, "Do you ever lighten up?"
Confused Brooke shoots back, "I beg your pardon?"
Eric's voice is much calmer now, almost tender, as he clarifies himself, "I've known you Brooke, ever since you started working for Maxine. I know your qualifications and background. After what you did for me with me Maxine and today during my negotiations, I know you're loyal to your clients. You've all ready got the job." Leaning back in his chair, with his hands behind his silky brown locks as if to emphasizes his next point he says, "So how about you and I sit back and enjoy a celebratory lunch after a great first day? No talks about business or contracts. Whatever you decide to draw up I'll sign. For now how's about you and I just get to know one another huh?"
"All right if that's what you want Mr. Matthews," Brooke acquiesces.
"And another thing how's about calling me Eric. It's not fair everyone else gets to hear you say it and I don't."
Before Brooke can ask him what exactly he means by that their perky blonde waitress is back with their drinks. Distracting Brooke just enough to where she soon forgets the way his eyes had darkened as he asked her to call him Eric.