The restaurant was beautiful. At first it looked simple and unassuming but as soon as Candy and Hunt walked in she could tell that everything about it oozed class and luxury.
As they were led to their table, Hunt pulled out a seat for Lacey and she smiled bashfully as she settled in her seat.
"You look wonderful."
He said as he settled in his own seat and Lacey smiled. It was the second time he was complimenting her.
When he came to pick her up he had said the same thing.
"Like you've just stepped out of my dreams. I didn't want to say anything earlier so I wouldn't freak you out."
Lacey smiled.
"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."
Hunt chuckled. It was true, he looked utterly inviting in his dark red shirt and grey pants. His blond hair was slicked back and his emerald green eyes seemed to glow in the light.
And his gash was gone.
Lacey didn't know how he did it but it wasn't on his face anymore.
They ordered a bottle of the restaurant's finest white wines before going over the menu.
As they chose their meals, she used the time to relax and enjoy the ambience.
"So, would you like to tell me a bit about yourself?"
Lacey raised her eyebrow.
"I think I've answered this question before."
She replied and Hunt smiled.
"I think the last time it was work related. I'd like to learn about the real you this time."
"Hmmmm... Really?"
Lacey asked as she took a sip out of her wine.
"You see, actually I have a confession to make. I looked you up on social media. But I found nothing."
Lacey's heart skipped a beat.
It was because Candy Holmes did not exist, but Hunt didn't have to know that.
"There's not much to say..."
She said as she chuckled nervously, settling down her drink back on the table clumsily.
"My life isn't something I'm proud of. I'm not exactly where I planned to be."
"What do you mean?"
"I had to struggle a lot. Especially in college and I've nothing but a series of dead end job after that. And then my Dad got cancer. He's better now."
"I'm so sorry about that. But you should be proud."
Lacey scoffed.
"Proud?"
She repeated and Hunt nodded.
"To pull through tough situations like that, the way you did, it takes courage and strength. I admire you."
Lacey stared at him speechless.
She had been completely honest, thinking it was best not to lie... And he was still impressed with the real her?
"That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me in a while."
She replied honestly and Hunt gave her a warm smile.
"Maybe you've been hanging out with the wrong people."
"Yes... I suppose I have."
Her mind went to Aidas and she couldn't help but wonder if he was the real villain in the story.
He could have lied about Hunt. And there was so much he wasn't telling her. She didn't know the full story.
"Tell me, is there anyone special in your life?"
Hunt asked and Lacey blushed furiously.
"No, there's none."
She answered honestly and Hunt's eyes widened.
"I should call the police."
"What? Why?"
She asked startled and Hunt shook his head wearily.
"A woman like you? Single? It's a crime!"
He pretended to be outraged and she bursted into laughter.
She really was enjoying his company.
"You know, if all men were this fun to talk to, I'd date more often."
"But I bet you're one of a kind."
She added.
She tried very hard not to think about the kind of men she met at the club. The ones who would leer at her, stare at her body and try to touch her. They almost ruined her perception of men because it seemed they all wanted the same thing.
Her body. None of them bothered to ask for more, or saw past that.
"What about you? How come you're still single?"
She asked slowly. She knew his ex girlfriend was dead, but the last time they had talked about her, he certainly made it look like their relationship was forced.
"Well, there are two reasons..."
He paused and studied her for a second before proceeding.
"For starters, I've spent most of my life surrounded by a certain social circle. It feels like I've met everyone there is to meet and dated everyone there is to date. The second is I'm way too busy to have time for a relationship."
Lacey raised her eyebrows as she smirked at him. Being busy might be an excuse when it came to him but she made no comments about it.
"Hnmm... Interesting."
She said as the waiter came with their food. Their hands touched while they were both reaching for the same plate and Lacey was startled for a moment.
"Are you okay?"
Hunt asked with concern in his voice and Lacey nodded.
"Yes, I am. Think I might be feeling a bit hot."
He smiled and held her gaze. It was an intense moment and it only made her feel hotter. He noticed this and his gorgeous smile grew even wider.
"Let's dig in."
For the next hour, they slowly enjoy their food and make pleasant small talk. They talked briefly about the company and their interests. Lacey noticed Hunt was careful not to talk about his achievements, so as not to come off as bragging and she admired him more for it.
"The thing is... I have a question."
He said as the waiter cleared their dessert.
Lacey smiled freely, the wine seemed to have loosened her up a bit.
"Shoot."
She said as she swirled her wine in her glass.
"I must ask you this. I only hope you don't take it the wrong way. But I am feeling a bit spontaneous and I don't want this date to end."
"Do you?"
He asked and she shook her head.
"No! I'm having way too much fun."
She said and Hunt nodded.
"Me too. I hope you don't mind going back to my place then?"
Lacey had expected the question, the date was going well, they were drinking copious amounts of wine and lightly flirting. She knew the question would come up sooner.
"I'd love to."
"Great! We can continue the conversation at my place. Unless you want to order another round of dessert?"
Lacey quickly shook her head.
She was full.
Way too full to even stomach another bite.
"God no! I can't even eat another bite."
"Me either."
He sighed in relief as he stood up from his chair.
"Sorry I have to take this."
Lacey said as she felt her phone vibrating in her purse.
She had a feeling it was Aidas calling to check on her.
Who else would it be but him?
She checked the Caller ID and sighed noticing it was him.
"Okay. Let me just go to the men's room real quick. I'll be right back."
"Alright."
Lacey nodded as she watched Hunt walk away.
"What?!"
She said impatiently into the phone and Aidas scoffed.
"I just wanted to know how the date was going."
"It's going well. By the way you shouldn't be calling. It'll be too suspicious."
Lacey warned.
"Yea well I figured you'd be able to handle that. So what are you guys doing now?"
He asked and she rolled her eyes.
Is that all he wanted to ask?
Really?
"We're going over to his place."
There was a small pause on the line before Aidas replied.
"Okay. Whatever you do, make it memorable."
"What do you mean?"
Lacey asked.
"You know what I mean. Whatever time you two spend together, make it memorable. And try to get something out of him, about his ex-girlfriend's death maybe."
"You know I can't ask about that! It's too sensitive a topic!"
"I don't care! That's what I'm paying you to do. Find a way to ask him. And whatever you do don't give up everything."
"What does that mean?"
"You'll find out soon enough. Don't call me without information."
He said and he ended the call. Lacey groaned in frustration.
Sometimes he made her so angry. But that didn't stop her from wanting him, she thought as her mind went back to when he was touching her earlier.
She had let him, she had let him kiss her.
She could almost feel his lips on hers as she closed her eyes.
What was he doing to her?
She should have stopped him when she had the chance to. She shouldn't have allowed him go any further. She blamed herself as her eyes darted around looking for Hunt.
She spotted him a few seconds later, with his phone to his ear and a sour expression on his face.
She could tell something bad had happened.
It was written all over his face.
"What's wrong?"
She asked as he reached their table with an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry Candy. Something came up I have to go."