I had planned to be ready before he arrived so that Quincy wouldn't have reason to  come into my, "shrine." But when the doorbell rang, I was still deciding which dress to wear. Slightly frazzled, I opened the door while sporting my satin robe, then waved him inside. He handed me flowers and a jewelry box.

"What is this?"

"You were only wearing one earring at the market."

I closed the door, lay down the flowers, then lifted the lid from the Tiffany blue box in the palm of my hand. The diamond stud inside was a perfect match to the one I had sadly placed onto my vanity table. Oddly enough, searching for the missing earring was the reason I was standing in front of Quincy jazzed up, yet still in my robe. It was after my shower, once I returned home, that I realized it was gone. They were the first "real" diamonds I decided to splurge on when I received my promotion, and I was disappointed that I couldn't find it.

"Thank you, but why would you do this, and how did you just get one earring?"

"My pleasure, and it's not complicated at all."

"And?"

"And at the bar, I noticed each time you spoke of your promotion you would tug at or rub your earlobe. This morning, I observed one was missing and figured you may have done the same thing, and had ended up losing it."

"Are you a real human?"

That smile....

"Yes, I am. I just have a habit of paying more attention to the details of people and things than the average person. It's my secret sauce, so don't tell anyone."

I replaced the lid, offered him a drink, then escaped into the bedroom to decide upon a dress and to call Marley

Her ass was overhear the moon. "Oh my God, that man is going to be the death of me. Who the hell and back is that damn thoughtful?"

"Marley, it's not thoughtful, it's weird."

"Say what you want, but I think it's sweet. The last thing Daniel bought me was a set of tires, and he thought he did something."

"I wouldn't want tires either, and I for sure don't want jewelry on a first date. Do you realize the amount of pressure this puts on me?"

"So, you weren't going to give him some?"

Shaking my head, I closed my eyes while pinching the bridge of my nose. "Why, Jesus."

"What?"

"I gotta go."

"So, you're not going to answer my question."

I hung up.

One wrap around black dress, red stilettos and red sequin clutch later, I made my re-entrance into the living room. Quincy was distracted by me and Mike's picture wall. It was odd, and maybe Marley was right, but I didn't have the heart to take them down.

"Ahem."

As he pivoted towards the sound of my voice, his brows raised and an engaging smile nearly covered his entire face. "Wow, you are exquisite."

"I know." I offered while giving him a Betty Boop pose, then blessing him with a twerk.

He laughed, then replied. "I'm certainly looking forward to having that plate of food now."

As I blushed, Quincy extended his arm. I slid mine under his, and we started a night I would never forget. During dinner, we enjoyed turbot and morels and an enticing, non-stop conversation. I learned his parents relocated to Jamaica, and his only sibling was a sister, a junior in college, who he absolutely adored. Real estate was a venture he entered into because of his father. He stayed because he excelled in it before growing to love it. But his real passion was art and travel.

"So, why are you holding up in little ole Axum?"

"I was on the verge of leaving. Priya runs the day to day operations anyway, but I was unexpectedly fortunate enough to come across a reason to stay." My pores opened, and my heart fluttered as the declared, "33rd and Paxton."

Wait. "What?"

"I purchased 33rd and Paxton, and it's a gold mine."

I wiped my mouth, then lay the napkin back onto my lap. Why were my feelings stung? I suddenly became the weird one. Quincy, savored a sip of wine, stared at me from across the table, then flashed  that million dollar smile before adding, "And then there's you."

Now we're talking. "Is that right?"

"It is, and I believe you understand why."

"In case I don't, please enlighten me."

"There's something between us. That something that led me to you at the bar, to your images on the camera footage, to the flea market and into my dreams."

Definitely guilty of the dreams scenario, I pursed my lips to release a discrete sigh as I dabbed my forehead and cheeks with the linen napkin. "You seemed convinced of this, "something."

He replied with certainty. "From the looks of things, as do you."

Unable to counter his claim, I excused myself, then scurried into the restroom. I had no clue how to handle what was unfolding at the dinner table, and calling Marley was out of the question. So, I calmed my nerves with a few deep breaths, touched up my dampened make-up, then returned to find Quincy standing when I re-entered the room.

"I've sent for the car."

Feeling bad about abruptly dismissing myself from his conversation, I offered, "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

"You didn't. I'm the one who owes you an apology."

"No... you don't, and I'm enjoying myself for the first time in a long while. I don't want the night to end this way."

He smiled, reached for my hand, leaned forward, then whispered. "Good because I feel the same."

After a quick drive to the beach, we spent hours walking and talking as we left footprints to be washed away from the frigid shore. The night became even more magical when I realized I had forgotten what it was like to get lost in time. It was the sun peeking from beneath the horizon that gave me a clue that a new day was beginning. Quincy had proven to be as intelligent as he was kind, and his sense of humor was as dark and witty as my own. It was liberating to let down my hair, take off my heels and twirl with juvenile delight on the sand. It was amazing to feel like... me. On the car ride home, I shivered slightly despite the heat and seat warmer. Quincy reached for my hand, and with the most innate capacity, I reached back.

"I can barely keep my eyes open." I confessed as I unlocked my front door. "Are you going to be okay getting home?"

"Yes, I'll be fine, night owl, remember."

"Oh, yeah, that's when you're at your best."

"And I'm going to have to add spending time with you to that list."

Standing in the warmth of the foyer, I turned to face him, then paused before asking, "Why are you so freaking pleasant?"

"Because that's the energy I desire in my life."

"Wow." I responded breathlessly. "How is it that I can find you amazing, yet still... weird."

"I'll take it." He laughed as he zipped his coat, then turned to leave.

"Quincy." I called out his name before I lost sight off his face and my nerve.

"Yes?"

I thought his smile was amazing. It was incomparable to his thick, soft lips. When we came up for air, he muttered. "You're the most astounding woman I've ever stalked."

My perplexed expression gave rise to an eruption of his laughter. "I'm kidding. Get some rest, and I look forward to talking to you later."

With that, he kissed my cheek, then trotted through the frosty morning air back to his car. I didn't realize I was grinning until I caught a glimpse of my dorky ass expression in the mirror. Laughing, I humbled myself, knowing I was now the one who was giddy when thinking about Quincy Winters.