Eric's cautious yet honest question caught Amber by surprise. She hadn't thought anything wrong with Eric's banter; for all that she disliked the implication they'd go straight to his as if they were just as carefree and horny as a week ago, she'd known it was just a joke. "No," she replied quickly, and then, more gently, "No, you didn't. I'm just-- coffee would be perfect. I want to take it slower, today."

Strange how so simple a question could disarm her suspicions. Amber spoke normally, not even thinking of how to change her voice and movements to best convey the impression she wanted to give. She extended her hand over the desk and over the dropped documents. "Okay, let's start over." While it wasn't an apology, it was acknowledgment that they'd gotten off on the wrong foot. Eric's amusement had switched to doubt in a second and Amber found she didn't like the raised eyebrow and faltering smile more than that first bit of joy she'd walked into. "Now that we've gotten the drudge work out of the way, Eric, let's go out for a nice bit of coffee and gigantic stakes of pancakes." And hand-holding. Maybe a kiss or two, depending on how things went.