Four Weeks Ago

Friday Night

"Aria be careful. You came undone, girl. Out there. Unhinged. That rolling on a rock thing," Mia laughs. "Yeah, it was funny, but you need to think twice! I have never seen you like this before. It's like you're obsessed. You've got blinders on. You can't see anything but him and I can't believe he came back around, after that. He's either crazy right along with you, or he really does love you. Just be careful not to take things too far."

"Mia! Don't forget who's big sis." I rush to put the final touch on my lipstick. "That's behind us now. We talked, we're over it and we're on to better things. Listen, he's on his way right now. Call you later?"

"Sure. Where are you going?"

"To dinner at some fancy five-star restaurant downtown! I'm excited. I hear the food is heavenly!"

"Have fun," her tone is cautionary.

"Tonight will be perfect. Bye!"

"Bye."

Phoenix pulls up in front of my house in a black Dodge Viper with red trim. He gets out of the car dressed in a sleek grey suit, crisp white shirt, no tie.

"Don't you look handsome." I walk to the car unable to take my eyes off him.

Hands in his pockets, he stares with that brilliant, charming smile of his. "Beautiful," he whispers in my ear as he rests his hand on the small of my back.

He opens the door for me and closes it after I get in.

He gets into the Viper. "Red looks ravishing on you, Ms. Davenport." And he starts the car.

"Why, thank you, Mr. Prescott," I reply, anticipating the night ahead. Now that we've both revealed ourselves and our true feelings for each other are out in the open, I'm curious to know if anything will change. Not that I want it to. I actually want things to go back to normal. With me being calm and level-headed.

Moments later, we arrive at the House of Chopin. Phoenix pulls up in front and tosses the valet his key fob as he gets out and comes to the passenger side to open my door. We walk through one of the tall glass doors of the establishment. Inside, it's breathtaking. Satiny fleur-de-lis ivory tablecloths, centerpieces with fresh white orchids, a warm glow from candle lights and live classical piano music set the mood for an exceptional evening.

"Hello, Mr. Prescott. We have your table ready. Right this way." The hostess leads.

I can't help but look up and around in wonder, like a child seeing a fascinating new place for the first time. "So, this is your hangout, huh?"

"Been here a time or two," he says, with a grin.

Whenever something is a first for me, he always has this amused glint in his eye. He watches me with enthusiasm, as I marvel at the things he's come to take for granted. He waits for my reaction, like he gets some sort of satisfaction out of it.

"This place is even nicer than I thought."

The waiter presents our private booth. "Mr. Prescott, it's nice to have you for dinner again, sir."

Phoenix nods.

The waiter turns to me, "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Justin, I'll be your waiter tonight."

"Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Aria."

"Nice to meet you, Miss?"

"Davenport." I place my iPhone on the table and set my purse next to me.

"Yes. Ms. Davenport welcome to the House of Chopin. Your first time here, I take it?"

I nod.

"Trust me, it will be quite the experience. Here are your menus." He gives us tall, black leather, hardback menus. "I'll give you a few moments." Justin walks off like a professional butler dangling a white cloth on one arm and the other arm behind his back.

I roll my eyes at Phoenix. "You've been here a time or two? Liar, they all know you," I out him.

"What? You don't like it here?"

I laugh. "No, it's nice. Very nice."

Sensing the playfulness in my voice, he replies with an obvious question. "What? A guy can't take his girl out on a nice date?"

"It's not that but you don't have to always go out of your way for me. I just like spending time with you. I really don't care what we do."

"Well, let's leave then." He puts his white cloth napkin on the table and gets up. "Come on."

"Uh. OK." I slide to the edge of the booth.

He comes to my side of the table and takes my hand, then slides into the booth himself. Instead of face to face, we're seated side by side. He chuckles. "I didn't think you'd actually get up." He shakes his head in wonder. "You're not like anyone I know. None of this fazes you. I love that."

"It's nice, don't get me wrong but it's not the end all, be all. You know?" I caress his arm.

"I like going out of my way for you. It's how I show love. When I buy you things, that's my love. I know it sounds superficial, but my money is my time, my energy, it's my lifeline. I spend all day working hard to earn it. When I share it with someone, it's because I love them."

His attention leaves the table as he searches the room. "Where's the waiter?" He lifts his finger to call our waiter. "You hungry? Want an appetizer?" Phoenix waves Justin over.

I smile at his thoughtfulness. "Oh, sure. Surprise me."

Justin arrives at the table. "Yes, Sir. What can I do for you?"

"Please bring us your best bottle of Chateau Margaux, a cheese tasting selection, tuna tartare and an order of your shrimp cocktail for appetizers."

"Of course, sir." Justin walks off.

The urge to relieve myself takes precedence over everything else. "Where's the restroom?" I ask.

Phoenix points to the opposite end of the restaurant.

I excuse myself.

Moments later, I return to the table.

"I hope you don't mind, I ordered for you." He reaches for butter to spread on his bread. "Oh, and your phone went off."

I don't like his tone. "Oh." I pick it up.

"I need to see you."- Troy

"Hmm. Must be business-related."

"I bet." Phoenix doesn't look happy. He takes a bite of buttered bread. "Let me ask you this. Why did you start a business with this guy?"

My shoulders tense up. "It seemed like a good idea at the time. He's smart and one of my best friends. Why?" I ask, defensively.

"Best friends? The man is in love with you. I know. I read the text. 'I need to see you'?"

"You're reading my texts now?"

"It popped up on the screen. I couldn't ignore it. It was right in my face, Ari."

"Let's not go down this road. Please. Troy is just a friend. He knows that. I know that."

"I don't like him lingering around the way he does. Why don't you let me buy him out? I'll be your business partner. Let me make him an offer."

I scoot away to get a little space. "That's not how it works. You can't just buy my partner out. Listen, as generous as that sounds, I need something of my own. I already work for you at Prescott Realty. Which I'm grateful for. But —"

Justin props a stand and tray next to our table and picks up a vintage bottle of wine. "Here is our very best, taken from the owner's private Signature Collection. This is our 1996 Château Margaux. It's a classic red Bordeaux, with notes of blackberry and plums. Medium body and very elegant, if I say so myself." He happily opens the expensive bottle of wine and pours Phoenix a swig. "Try this. I think you'll love it."

Phoenix tastes the wine and approves. Justin pours us both a half glass. "Your appetizers." He sits them down. "Dinner will be ready shortly."

"Thank you, Justin."

He turns and walks away briskly, leaving us alone.

Phoenix turns to me. "But what? You were saying something."

"Nothing. It was nothing." I shake it off. "This looks delicious. Let's eat!" Hoping the worst is done, I try to relax and let the evening unfold.

Phoenix's phone rings. He excuses himself to take the call.

Here we go again!

I take a deep breath and exhale.

Don't! When things are good, let them be.

When he returns, he encourages me to try the different cheeses, crackers and spreads. I find there are some that are quite tasty. Others, I'll never try again. I learn that tuna tartare is not for me but the shrimp cocktail offers familiarity in this unfamiliar territory of exquisite, fine dining.

As the wine flows, so too does the conversation. By dinner's end, it feels like magic is in the air.

"That was delicious. I think I should let you order for me more often."

"Filet mignon. Classic. One of my favorite meals." He pats his belly lightly. "Ready?"

"Sure."

As we leave the restaurant, I'm curious where to next but moments later, Phoenix pulls up to my house.

"Good night." He leans over to kiss me.

I pull back. "Aren't we still on our date? Let's go somewhere. Do something."

He yawns.

But I get the impression it's just for show.

"Want to come in, then? I could work those yawns off or you could snooze and snuggle with me?"

"Babe, I'm tired. Had a long day today. I think I'll go home and get some rest. Let's catch up, tomorrow?" He kisses me but not in the usual way. His kiss feels detached. He thumbs the steering wheel as he waits for me to get out.

I hear his phone vibrate as I open the door to get out. I glance back at the screen, but he turns it over before I get the chance to see who's calling.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and a sick feeling takes residence in the pit of my stomach.

Something is off.

I play it off like everything is cool and let myself in. As soon as Phoenix drives off, I get in my car and follow.

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A/N: I swear every time I get a vote, I start glowing. I really, really love when you guys click that star. So we've at the end of chapter 42. Aria is suspicious again. Do you think her suspicions are warranted?