For legalelite

[youngestrose]

It has been so long since Margaery went on a date - at least one that she was excited about and had the potential go to somewhere. At least, she hopes it does. It might surprise Cole to learn that she has remarkably little experience with dating. Her family are very discerning. She can't be seen out with just anyone. Opportunities to choose her own suitor have been few and far between, leaving the rest of her experience limited to blind dates and men perfect on paper but nowhere close in reality.

This date is different. Though the plans were made last-minute, she's rather proud that she's pulled herself together and gotten a reservation at one of Manhattan's most exclusive restaurants. Their privacy, and the staff's discretion, is the hallmark of what this place offers, on top of food practically to die for. The views of Central Park, though fall is just starting to show itself on the trees, should be amazing.

As she steps out of the car into the sidewalk, she is surprised to discover that she's trembling ever so slightly. She doesn't do that. She doesn't get nervous or anxious. Poise is a family trait that's shaped and honed from an early age. She takes a deep breath and walks inside, not entirely ready for whatever is about to happen, but certain that whatever it is, she'll look good doing it.

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[legalelite]

Cole has his own nerves when he arrives shortly thereafter, though for different reasons. This is the first time he'll have been on a date since splitting with Katelyn eight months ago, and it wasn't something he was necessarily looking for either. Ending their engagement had come with a resolution that he needed to figure himself out first before approaching someone else. He was definitely looking at relationships more seriously than he had before all of that.

But he's optimistic at the same time, because he remembers that Margaery already knows all the things about him that might be potential turnoffs. She's aware that he's bisexual and aware of his broken engagement and his close relationship with his adoptive sister. None of those things had bothered her when they met, so he has hope that she's not going to turn around and quiz him on how much time he spends with Natalie. Which is bound to be a little less, anyway, now that she's dating Tommy Baxter. A fact that Cole has slowly started to accept after seeing them at dinner together. Seeing that Tommy has also grown and changed since they were law students wanting to fight each other for stupid reasons.

He finishes at the office and goes home to shower and change into a different suit; a dark blue one with a grey dress shirt underneath, sans tie. He never wears a tie unless he's in court; it's just not his style. His newly repaired Porsche purrs up to the valet and he's escorted to the table, giving her a warm smile when he lays eyes on her. "You look lovely," he says honestly, leaning in to kiss her politely on the cheek. "Thanks for making time for this. And... making all this."

He's aware that she has her own obligations, and she knows how crushing his schedule has been in the last few months. Luckily with Marla about to return from her medical leave Cole is expecting to have some time off. And he knows that it's needed. A chance to breathe, and to spend time with someone whom he likes, who also seems very fond of him.

[youngestrose]

She likes his honesty and openness and that he's seeming completely embraced who he is. In her world, such qualities are rare. In her experience, both personal and professional (and everything in between), everyone has ulterior motives. They have something they want to achieve, or change, or get from you. A part of her is still waiting for that shoe to drop with Cole, too. The more time they spend together, the closer she gets to believing that it won't. That he's different.

He looks great. Not wearing a tie suits him. She smiles brightly when she sees him, and she waves off his compliment.

"This old thing? Just something I dug out of my closet." It had only been the tenth outfit she tried. Normally she would have gone shopping for a new dress, but time had been short.

"It was no trouble at all. I just hope the view isn't too distracting." She's teasing - mostly. He is refined enough to not let his attention stray too far from her. She's not conceited by any means, but she's confident there are few views in the world that can rival her.

"How was work? Feeling ready for trial yet?"

[legalelite]

"Work's good. No trials on the horizon right now, but like I mentioned before, my godmother is coming back to the office next week. Which means my stint as deputy managing partner is over," he says, and it comes with a relieved chuckle. Cole has been working himself way too hard for the last few months filling in for Marla and keeping the firm running. Between the extended hours and butting heads with his father over business decisions that he normally isn't involved in, it's been a trying time. Not one he regrets because the firm is his family and his family needed him but he's glad to get back to focusing on doing what he does best. "We're having that party for her this weekend, and then when she starts on Monday, hopefully by Tuesday I'll be on vacation."

Give or take. He doesn't know where he's going, and he isn't sure he won't need to hang around a day or two to ensure nothing has piled up in his actual department. But he wants a few days off and he knows from various talks that everyone else wants him to take a few days off.

He orders a beer when the waiter arrives to take their drink requests and then leans forward, keeping his elbows off the table because he's been raised with table manners. "You didn't want me here to talk about my work though," he says with a more teasing smile. "You said you wanted to know more about me, so fire away. What do you want to know?"

[youngestrose]

She orders a glass of wine and sits back just as he leans forward. She's a little caught off guard by his question, but recovers quickly.

"I'm not going to sit here and grill you as if dating me is a job that you're interviewing for. What's the fun in that?" She can't blame him for getting right to the chase, though. From what she knows of him so far, he's not someone to beat around the bush or play games. He's refreshingly straight-forward. She probably should have expected him to just come out and ask her what she wanted to know. The difficult is that the only answer she can think of is 'everything'. And that's not helpful.

"I suppose I'm curious as to what you like to do in your free time. You seem to have a lot of responsibility with work and your family and best friend. How do you like to relax?"

[legalelite]

“I thought you might have something specific you were curious about,” he replies with a laugh. Some thing about him or his history that had interested her, or something important to her that she wanted to see what his thoughts on it were. But then she asks that follow-up question and it’s an easy answer. The same thing that’s interested him since he was a teenager in Dallas. “I go out every night after work, unless I’m busy or I’m tired. I find a bar or a club, order a few drinks and have some conversations. I like to meet new people and I like to talk.”

Which is probably not surprising for an attorney. But Cole and everyone around him would describe him as a people person. He had a large social circle and never minded striking up conversations with strangers. His charisma helped attract people to engage him, but he would take an interest in anything anyone wanted to tell him, from how their day was to more serious subjects. “If I’m at home, some nights I just lay out on my couch with a record on. But I’m usually out for a few hours before that, so you’ll never have to worry about twisting my arm to go anywhere.”

[youngestrose]

"I still might," she answers with a hint of her trademark crooked grin. She listens as he talks, watching the way his eyes light up. The drinks arrive and she takes a sip of her wine.

"It sounds like you have limitless energy. You go out every night? I have to talk to people so much for work and family matters that I can't imagine socializing as something recreational. I think I'd like to see that some time."

[legalelite]

"Not every night, but most of the time. It's not a big deal. Grab a drink, maybe an appetizer, and just people-watch. Strike up a conversation. I meet new people or run into people I've met before and I get to learn things. Usually I spend time for an hour or two, a bit longer if I'm having a good time, then make it back to the apartment in time to be ready for work the next morning."

Because despite his love of unwinding in clubs and bars, Cole was never late for work the following day and never hungover from the night before. He took his work seriously on top of the fact that he represented the firm by virtue of being the founder's son and therefore needed to set a good example for colleagues and clients. He could have all the fun he wanted as long as it didn't get in the way.

"Sometimes if it's a slow night or I'm not in the mood, I just come home, make myself dinner and relax on my couch," he continues. "I'm not on all the time."

[youngestrose]

It makes sense that he doesn't overdo it - she can't imagine he would be trusted with co-running an entire law firm if he was the kind of person who frequently showed up late and/or hung over. She watches as he takes a drink of his beer, noting how he holds his glass, the confidence in the way he holds his shoulders and her gaze. It's all very attractive.

"Do you have a favorite place or two that you like to go?"

[legalelite]

"A couple," he says. In truth there's not a bar or a club in the city that he doesn't know; he tends to move throughout them, depending on his mood or wherever he wants to end up that night. "There's a sports bar on the other side of town. I'm not really into sports, but it's got different games there so I can have dinner, a few drinks and play golf with a few people if I want to. Makes it easy to spend a few hours. What about you? Any places you enjoy more than others?"

Because if they do continue seeing each other, he'll make sure to make note of her preferences. Being in a romantic relationship means no longer just doing things for himself.

"You certainly don't have to come out with me if you're not in the mood," he adds with a laugh so that's clear. "But you're welcome to join me whenever you want. I'm sure everyone's head would turn when you walked in."

[youngestrose]

She nods in response to his first question. "I have a few places I go to frequently, mostly because they provide privacy and the staff can be trusted to be discreet. I don't need every meal or drink I have - and who I had them with - to be reported in the paper the next day." Sometimes being the only daughter of one of the richest and most powerful men in the world is exhausting. She manages the best she can, though.

She smiles at his compliment, partially hiding it behind her wine glass. She can't make it that easy for him.

"They'd stare because I'd probably be overdressed and stick out like a sore thumb. That doesn't sound like my usual kind of place. It does sound like somewhere my brother, Garlan, would go, though. I wouldn't be surprised if he has been there. I wonder if you've met him before... he tends to stand out, too. He's very tall, very broad, and very blonde. I've heard the term 'meathead' thrown around in reference to him. Never by me, of course."

[legalelite]

"How many relatives do you have?" Cole asks. "You've mentioned at least two brothers to me. Sounds like a large family."

He tries to remember everything she's said to him, which is true of anyone he's close to. He's an active listener in most conversations. His own family was pretty small until they welcomed Natalie and Charlie into the fold, and he couldn't be happier. Although he still feels a certai namount of pressure knowing that he's the only biological son. The only one anyone really counts as a Sullivan.

"But no, I don't think I've met him. Also sounds like someone I'd remember if I had. Also not my type. He might crush me." He grins to indicate he's teasing. But the musclebound type is not what he goes for in a man. Not that it matters given the tone of this conversation.

[youngestrose]

"Quite a lot, actually, if you include the extended family. But immediately, besides my father and Gran, I have three older brothers - Willas, Garlan, and Loras. But Loras is the only one you have to worry about. As in, his opinion is the only one that really matters to me." She should probably start looking at the menu before the waiter comes back and she hasn't even picked it up yet. There's no rush, of course, and she's enjoying chatting with him, now that it seems to be flowing a little easier. Must be the alcohol. Or maybe, just maybe, he actually likes her.

She has to laugh at the mental image of Garlan crushing him. It would definitely happen, but probably not in the way that Cole imagines. Garlan is an uber-guy and wouldn't be caught dead showing affection to another guy. He was a champion wrestler in college, though.

"So you have a type? Tell me more."

[legalelite]

He should have a much harder time talking about this. Cole's sexuality is something that he's still figuring out sometimes on a day to day basis. But maybe because Margaery knows he's bisexual, he knows he's not saying anything she wouldn't expect, so it comes easier to tell her than it is anyone else. "There was a guy that I knew. In fact, still do, but we haven't talked in forever," he admits. Because as soon as Cole realized what was happening, he pulled back out of his own stupid fear.

"He's a college professor. Tall, blond, handsome but not overly macho or muscular. Apparently I have a thing for blondes," he quips considering who's sitting across from him. "Everyone kind of thinks because of where I come from that I have ridiculously high standards and I'm not that guy. I just want to meet someone I can be myself with. My idea of a good time is just having a conversation or a nice dinner. Nobody has to be a sexpot or impress me as long as they respect me, and hopefully I can make them happy."

[youngestrose]

Margaery is not your typical socialite. She is very open-minded and far from judgmental. If asked, she'd probably attribute it to having a gay brother/best friend who was staunchly and firmly in the closet for most of his life, to the point that it was detrimental to his mental health. She was with him through some very dark times while he struggled with his identity. She wouldn't wish that kind of struggle on anyone. Cole should never feel like he has to hide anything about himself from her.

"In that case, I consider myself lucky that I met you first. Loras and I are very similar. He isn't overly intelligent but can be quite charming and very pretty while still being masculine, which I'm told is a nearly irresistible combination." The number of times a closeted man has gotten close to her with the ulterior motive of being with Loras is higher than she will ever admit.

"I feel the same as you, about meeting someone. I don't care how wealthy or connected someone is. What's in their heart is more important to me. Take you, for example. Of all of the types of law you could be practicing, you've chosen to focus on pro bono work. Instead of charging thousands of dollars an hour, you're using your knowledge and skills to help those who can't afford but probably need your level of expertise on their side. That's honorable, and by far the most attractive thing about you so far. Aside from those eyes."

[legalelite]

"Well, thanks." Cole gives a bashful smile at that, only looking down to check the menu so that they can place their orders when the waiter arrives. He won't surprise her with his choice; he almost always goes with the steak in any fine dining establishment. "It wasn't a hard choice. Everyone goes into either corporate law or criminal law, and I wanted to do something different. Pro bono work appealed to me because of the wider range of topics it covers. It was that or constitutional law, and I wanted to be in a courtroom more often than just delivering oral arguments."

He leans back in his chair. "I know you mentioned doing a lot of charity work. Would you say that's your focus or how do you like to spend most of your time?"

[youngestrose]

That little nugget piques her curiosity. She wonders what it is about being in the courtroom that he enjoys so much. It feels like whatever the appeal is will be a significant clue about his personality. She makes a mental note to explore that more in the future. For the time being, she'll answer his question. She really doesn't want him to feel like he's being interrogated.

"Yes, running our family foundation is my full time job. I took over from my Gran a few years ago. I'm sad to say that despite having an MBA, my father feels a woman is better suited to planning parties and fundraising, as opposed to running an actual business. Willas is being groomed for that." It's clear from the tone of her voice that she finds her father's ideas positively medieval and immensely infuriating. There's little she can do about it, though. In some ways, she's lucky she's being entrusted to run anything.

"That said, I do enjoy what I do. I know it's rare to have a career dedicated to helping others. It can be very rewarding."

[legalelite]

"The paramount thing is that you're happy. No one should be stuck in a job they hate if it can be helped. Not only is it miserable, it's not getting the best out of people," he says, with the knowledge that he's lucky to have had the freedom to choose. Not only in his father not placing expectations on him but having the financial cache to go to college, to graduate, to not have to worry about making ends meet. Even now, he budgets well so that he lives within his means, knowing that his department brings in only a fraction of the money that the other lawyers do. His paychecks are more modest than people think when they see his car and the way he dresses.

"For what it's worth, I'm happy to help your charitable efforts again if I can be helpful," he adds. "I don't mind fundraisers and parties. I just think of them as really expensive nights out. Just better because they are for a good cause. And at least if we do see each other again, our schedules are reasonably matched up, so we can ensure the other gets out of the office now and then." And he doubted she'd complain if he had to work late and he knew he wouldn't if she did.

[youngestrose]

She tilts her head a little. "There's a big spectrum between happy and hate. I don't know that happy is how I would describe my work life, but it at least skews toward that end of the spectrum. And some days are worse than others, as I'm sure is true for you as well." She used to think that she would be happier running the profitable side of things, but now she's not so sure. She's also not sure if she could be happier doing something else, something completely unrelated to her family or business. That's one of those deep down, private dreams that she doesn't share with anyone because it'll never happen.

"I appreciate that offer, and I might take you up on it. Though you're really helping me more than my efforts. These functions become so monotonous, having you there really spiced things up for me. It was the first time I've enjoyed myself in a long time. If I haven't already, I need to thank you for that."

[legalelite]

"I'm glad to have been useful. I'm good with parties, but conversational skills run in my family and they're also a career requirement." Cole chuckled. He'd inherited his father's charisma but it was also a major tool in his professional arsenal. Whether it was making an argument in court, or trying to negotiate a settlement between clients, his ability to converse was something he used every day. He considered it a blessing that what he had to do for large parts of his job was also something he genuinely enjoyed, although some conversations were much harder or more frustrating than others.

"I'll have to return the favor and bring you by the office sometime," he commented with a small smile. "It's not my entire family, but my father, my godmother, my sister and now my potential brother-in-law all work in my office, so it only seems fair now that I've met so many of your family members."

[youngestrose]

"You don't have to introduce me to your family just because you've met mine." She would rather that happen organically; naturally. Because he actually wanted them to know her and not because of some sense of obligation or fairness.

"In a strange way, you're lucky you've met them already. It means they'll assume there's nothing going on between us and they'll leave us alone. When I'm seriously dating someone I try to keep them as far away from my family as possible." Except for Loras, of course. As her best friend, he had veto rights on any potential suitor.

[legalelite]

"I'll take that as a compliment then," Cole replied with a laugh. "Honestly, I love my family and I try to spend as much time with them as possible, so it's wanting to be fair but also wanting you to meet them. The joke is being the big brother is why I've started to go prematurely grey at the temples." He was aware he was a bit young for that, but he thought it just made him look more distinguished. "At the same time, I know that being a big brother and an advocate is just who I am. The pressure to do it exists but it's on top of my real interest in helping anyway, so it's not like anyone's twisting my arm."

A small smile. "Unless this date goes really well and you end up behind me," he quipped. Just because he could be fairly dirty in private, but mostly to make her laugh, too. She didn't invite him here for him to go on about his job.

[youngestrose]

Oh, so the conversation's heading in a more flirtatious direction. She grins and pulls up a demure blush though her feathers are nowhere close to being ruffled. The social manipulation "training" she received from her Gran included all manner of using sex as a tool, a weapon, a bargaining chip. She looks at him through her batting eyelashes.

"So you like a little arm-twisting, do you?" There's nothing wrong with liking a little pain with your pleasure, in her opinion. It takes a lot of trust, though, for her to give another person that much power over her. But she's more than happy to dole it out if that's what her partner wants.

"Lets see if I can push that mental image out of my mind long enough to pick what I want for dinner..."

[legalelite]

"Not the pain part, but I don't mind letting someone else be in charge. The best relationships are always a give and take," he comments with a smile as he leans back in his chair. At least that's what he knows from the experience he's seen. The strongest bonds are between the people who can appreciate each other equally, and while the relationships he's thinking of aren't romantic, it stands to reason that applies in the bedroom as well. "Besides, you already know I swing both ways. I'm open to trying different things."

After all, he may have come out as bi but he hasn't actually tested that theory. Once he realized he had a physical attraction to Scott, he backed off in a hurry. He wasn't going to cheat on the woman he was supposed to marry. Cole's principles were incredibly strict, coming from a household one might describe as old-fashioned and certainly ideal. His parents had been together since college and his father had moved to a whole other state for his mother.

[youngestrose]

"An open mind is a very attractive quality. As is a willingness to be in a true partnership. That's what I think a relationship should be. Mutual respect. A give and take, like you say." And just like that, she's not speaking strictly about the bedroom or romance, but both. She doesn't normally associate the two things together. Maybe that's because her actual experience, both with love and in bed, is more limited than she leads others to believe. Or at least she doesn't dissuade them of their assumptions. But in reality, her principles are actually closely aligned with his.

She closes her menu and takes another drink of wine, apparently a move that their waiter sees as their readiness to order. She orders the salmon - healthy, a good pairing with the wine she's already drinking, and relatively light. She waits for him to finish taking their orders and they're left alone again to continue.

"So do you have a preference - giving or taking?"

[legalelite]

Being a typical man, Cole orders the steak. He's not going to surprise her with his food choices. In a lot of ways, he's still very much a guy.

"I honestly haven't tried," he admits, shaking his head. That feels more embarrassing to say than it should. "You're the first person I've been on a date with since I ended my engagement three weeks before my wedding." And there's not a whole ton to say about that. Katelyn's attitude toward Natalie had suddenly shifted, and Cole will always wonder who got in her ear about his sister or if something went wrong between them that he wasn't privy to. But in his life it's family above everything.