Chapter 1: First Date

"Graham! To what do I owe this honor?" I half-tease. He usually isn't there when I go to Granny's, so this is a pleasant surprise for me.

"Relax, Mara, I'm just here for some coffee, that's all." He says, chuckling.

"Well, you're in luck! It's my first day here so I'll be able to help you out with that." I smile, leading him inside. Granny welcomes both of us and Ruby throws me an apron. It hits my face as I catch it. "Gee, thanks Rub!" I say, muffled slightly by the fabric. Graham pretends not to have noticed, as I put my apron on and start to tie it behind my back.

"What can I get for you, Sheriff?" Ruby asks him.

"I apologize, Ruby, but Mara's helping me today." He replies. I finish tying my apron and take out a notepad and pen.

"Is that so? Well then, treat her well, Sheriff, or I'll have to report you." Ruby winks and goes into the back with Granny.

"So, what can I do for you, Graham?" I click my pen, prepared to take his order.

"I'll have a cup of coffee please." He smiles.

"Coming right up!" I write it down, smile and go to the back. I grab the coffee pot and a mug.

"You know, this is the first time that Sheriff Graham's come here for just coffee. Or so he says." Ruby gives me a look.

"What? Nothing's going on between us, I swear!" I say, pouring the coffee into the mug.

"Uh-huh, sure. It's not everyday that you get a man like him all to yourself." She smiles mischievously.

"Stop implying things, Rub, it's not good for business." I turn away from her and bring Graham his coffee. "Can I get you anything else?" I ask him.

"No, I'll be alright. Although … I've been meaning to ask you this for a while now… Mara, will you go out with me?" He looks into my eyes. I feel a blush creep across my cheeks.

"Oh, um… S-sure!" I giggle a little. "I get off at eight."

"Look forward to that!" He smiles and sips his coffee. I move on to other customers. The day flies by and eight o'clock rolls by.

"Alright, I'm off now, Granny!" I wave to her. "See ya tomorrow!"

"Have a nice time with Graham!" Ruby winks at me. I blush at her comment and hastily fix my hair. Graham is waiting in his sheriff car. I don't think he has another one because that's the only car he ever drives in, that I've seen at least. I smile and get in the car.

"You look beautiful, for someone just getting off work." He grins, driving somewhere.

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself, Sheriff!" I wrinkle my nose at him. He laughs. The radio fills the silence until we get to an abandoned drive-in movie theater. "Wow, I didn't know we had one of these here!" I'm impressed.

"I found it while I was driving back and I figured since you like hanging out outside and you like movies… You know… I just thought you'd like it…" He clears his throat, turning the car off.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I love it! But you didn't have to go through all this trouble just for me." I say.

"It was no trouble really." He blushes and gets out. I follow him, slightly confused. He has the keys and sits on top of the car. I do the same. Since it's kind of cold, I slide closer to him as the movie starts up. I don't pay attention to the movie because he has his arm around me. Sometime during the middle of the movie or something, he pulls me closer and kisses my cheek. I look at him as he pulls away from me. I can see the movie reflecting in his eyes and lean close to him. I kiss him before I realize what I'm doing.

"Sorry…" I say, leaning away from him.

"Don't be, I liked it." He smiles at me. I blush and look at the screen, just in time to see the end of it. The screen fades to black and the credits roll. My watch beeps at me, telling me that it's midnight. I bite my lip, knowing that Regina would be worried sick about me. I'm only 24 but she doesn't need to be so worried all the time.

"Ugh, I'm gonna get so chewed out." I sigh and slide off the roof.

"Is Regina really that bad?" Graham asks.

"Sometimes she can be, but I hope she'll understand." I get into the car and buckle up. He follows suit a few seconds later.

"I'll drop you off at home, then." He says, starting up the car.

"Thanks." I look out the window and smile softly. He pulls up to my house some time later. I open my door and he walks me to my door. "I had a really great time with you tonight, Graham. I hope we can do this again." I smile, unlocking the front door. He leans forward and kisses my cheek. My heart races as I look at him.

"Sorry… I think I missed…" He chuckles a bit, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah, you did." I quickly kiss him before I say goodnight again. He leaves after that. I close the door and lean against it, sighing happily. Suddenly, the lights turn on. Regina's sitting on the couch, with her arms folded. I wince.

"And where exactly have you been?" She says, arching an eyebrow.