Carrie's POV

My day at work is going by quickly. Samuel included me in the meeting with several senior copywriters, and I even had a chance to contribute some of my ideas during the roundtable brainstorming discussion. I've managed to avoid running into Kenneth, and I have a feeling that Leona is consciously staying away from me. I really wish I could forget what I witnessed in the copy room.

I get a text from Alex reminding of me of our lunch date, and I am very excited to see him. Especially since I decided to come clean about my shameful secret. It's going to feel so liberating to just talk about it.

When I leave the Ruby World building, I see Alex standing on the curb, he's on the phone. I can tell he's talking to Tiffany because he's smiling from ear to ear.

"I'll see in you in a bit," he says, and ends the phone call.

"Is there a change of plans?" I ask, hoping he didn't invite Tiffany along for our lunch.

"Well, I hope you don't mind, but when I told Tiffany you and I were going to lunch, she insisted we come to Slate. It's just up the block, the food is supposed to be amazing, and Tiffany is the chef! We gotta go, Carrie."

For a moment I feel a rush of excitement...what if Tyler is there. Would I be able to keep my cool? If I am being truthful with myself then I'll have to admit that I do want to see him again. And I am curious about his restaurant. Even if he's not there, I'd learn more about him by going. Curiosity wins again.

"Um, well, I mean if you really want to, I guess..."

"She's busy working, so it's still just you and me having lunch," he's convincing me.

"Okay. But I'm not spending twenty bucks on a salad," I warn him.

"Tiffany said it's gonna be all taken care of," he winks at me.

"Well, I am not one to turn down free lunch," I say, and we head toward Union Square.

When we enter Slate, I am instantly feeling out of place. This place is extremely posh. The decor is super modern and sleek, the bar is made out of dark wood and grey granite. There's a variety of geometric glass light fixtures hanging over the tables, and the art on the walls is very abstract.

"Welcome to Slate," the hostess greets us. I immediately recognize her from the night at the Tavern. It's Shelly, Tyler's non-date.

She doesn't seem to remember me, but she smiles vacantly at Alex, picks up two menus, and gestures for us to follow her.

We are seated at a table that's next to a giant fireplace. As I look around, I notice that most people eating here are dressed in professional attire. I guess this is an impressive way to woo new business clients, and then just write off the bill as company expenses. It's pretty packed, with only a couple of empty tables available, and from what I can tell, Alex and I got the best table in the house.

"Nice place, right?" says Alex, unfolding his linen napkin and placing it in his lap.

I open the menu. "Holy crap," I gasp. "Good thing this meal is on the house," I say, noticing the high prices.

"Tiffany said the truffle soup is really good, and also the steak tartar," Alex suggests.

"I don't eat raw beef, but I'll try the soup," I say, and close the menu.

"That's all you're gonna have?"

"I'm not that hungry," I say, and look around the restaurant, silently wondering if Tyler participated in the interior design selections.

A young blonde waitress comes over and asks us about our drink order. I assess her from head to toe and again wonder if Tyler personally chose to hire her. She is very pretty.

"You're here!" I hear Tiffany, as she walks over to our table, clad in her immaculate white chef's attire.

Alex rises out of his seat and embraces Tiffany. "Hey beautiful," he says to her, and kisses her cheek. She blushes a little.

"I'm so glad you came, Carrie," she says, as I greet her. "Tyler mentioned that you didn't feel well last night."

"Oh, well, I'm all better now," I say, trying to ignore my ridiculous excitement at hearing Tyler's name.

"Did you guys order already?" she asks.

"I'll try the truffle soup on your recommendation," I say.

"And I guess I'll have the lobster risotto," says Alex.

"Great choices. I'll send over some appetizers for you to try out too," she adds, and walks back to the kitchen.

"So, did you really feel sick last night, or were you trying to avoid a certain someone?" Alex asks me, and I nearly spit out the sip of water I just took.

"What? What do you mean?" I ask, wondering whether my reaction to Tyler's presence was obvious to everyone.

"I'm just saying, you seemed fine at the Tavern, but then suddenly you just took off... I think I know what's really going on, Carrie," says Alex with a knowing look.

For a moment I think that this is a perfect opportunity for me to tell Alex the truth, but then he continues to speak.

"Not that I blame you, I thought the way he was behaving was a little too aggressive. It made me a little uncomfortable just watching it," he says.

Was it really so bad? I begin to wonder. He did stare at me a lot, but it wasn't in a creepy way...

"I mean, when I saw him put his arm around you, I was like, whoa, way too handsy, am I right?"

"What? When?" I ask, and then it hits me. He's talking about Daniel.

"Oh, that? No, no, that was... I mean whatever. It was a little too forward, I guess, but that's not the person I was trying to avoid," I clarify.

"Oh?" Alex looks at me with a confused expression. "So you were trying to avoid someone...just not Daniel. Then whom? God, please don't say," he switches to a whisper and covers one side of his mouth with his hand, mouthing "Tiffany." His expression is anxious.

"No, of course not. I really like Tiffany. God, no, it's her brother, actually," I say, mimicking his whispering.

"Tyler?" Alex looks more confused than ever. "But why? He's not so bad, is he?"

"No, Alex. He's not bad. He's not bad at all," I say, and feel the blush creep up on my face.

"No way," says Alex, his mouth is agape. "You mean, you like him?"

I find it hard to look at him as I say, "Sort of."

"When did this even happen? I mean, you spoke like two words to him at the Tavern, and then you shared a cab ride... am I missing something?" he asks.

I am starting to feel the embarrassment of it all threatening to swallow me up, and I can't bring myself to tell Alex that I fooled around with Tyler at his party.

"I just find him attractive," I say, and look away.

"So attractive that you couldn't even go to the movies with him?"

"Look, I know it sounds ridiculous, especially in light of the fact that I have a boyfriend, but that's just the honest truth. Am I not allowed to be attracted to anyone else? I'm not doing anything about it, I mean yes, I kissed him, but--"

"You what?!" Alex practically screams, as his eyes bulge out of his head.

"Shh! Well, technically, he kissed me, and I kissed him back," I say, as if that is some kind of defence.

"When..how did this happen?" Alex asks, disbelief etched on his face.

"In the car, on the way to the movies," I confess.

"Wow, that guy must have some major game. I mean, that ride was, what, like ten minutes long? What did he say to you?"

"I'm not going to share every single detail with you," I roll my eyes at him. "The point is that it's not going to happen again, and I just need to avoid him from now on."

"Why?"

"What do you mean, why? Because I have a boyfriend, and Tyler is just out to score," I explain, as if it's not already obvious.

"And you don't trust yourself. You think you'd allow it to happen again if he came around?"

"Is that pathetic?" I ask, wanting to cover my face with the napkin.

"I don't think so," says Alex. "But I also don't think it's a coincidence that you're finding someone else attractive at the same time as you and Jonah are going through a rough patch in your relationship."

I try to digest Alex psychoanalysis as the waitress brings over a platter filled with a variety of appetisers.

"This looks amazing," I say, feeling like I don't want to continue my way too personal conversation any more.

"Carrie, look, I care about you, and I am your friend, so I'm just gonna put it out there... Jonah is a douchebag, and he doesn't deserve you. From what I know of Tyler he's a pretty decent guy. I mean, I know that he's her brother, but Tiffany adores him and says nothing but good things about him. Maybe he could be more than just a fling."

My mouth falls open. "What are you suggesting? That I dump Jonah, and hook up with Tyler?"

Alex shrugs. "Far be it for me to tell you what to do, but if I have to hear about you and fucking Jonah having another god damn fight, I'll go into a blind fucking rage."

"Okay, jeez. Is it really that bad?"

"You get into a fight at least once a week, and then complain about it to me, and I am sick of trying to look for the silver lining, Carrie. Because the truth is, there isn't any. The guy is a dick."

Alex takes a crostini and bites it angrily.

"Wow, I didn't know you felt so strongly about it," I say. "I am sorry if I've been too whiny."

"No, it's not that," Alex is quick to assure me. "I'm always here for you. You know that. It's just that I want you to be happy, Carrie. And Jonah isn't making you happy. If you are honest with yourself, you know that that's the truth."

"He makes me happy sometimes," I say pathetically, feeling my appetite disappearing.

"Like when was the last time?" Alex asks me, popping a piece of fried calamari into his mouth.

I bite my lip, racking my mind for a decent enough example, but my search turns up blank.

"That's what I thought," Alex says smugly.

When the waitress brings over our entrees I am barely able to eat my food. I thought talking to Alex would make me feel better, but I now I feel more confused than ever. We finish our meal in silence.

"I'm sorry if I made you feel bad," Alex says after the waitress clears our plates.

"It's okay," I say, "I know you're just looking out for me."

Tiffany brings out a dessert for us, and we shower her with thanks and compliments.

"The food was delicious. I can see why Slate gets so many accolades. It really is impressive in every way," I say.

"Thank you. I think a lot of it is Tyler's doing actually," she says, and I can feel Alex staring at me. "I make the food, but he's got a really good head for business, and in this competitive market, it's all about marketing and networking. He's the brains behind this whole thing," she says waving her hand around.

"Yeah, but if you weren't in the kitchen, this place wouldn't be what it is," says Alex, taking her hand, and kissing her knuckles.

"True. But there are a lot of talented chefs out there. The restaurant business is tough," she says. "If it weren't for Tyler, I'd probably be serving my meals out of a food truck."

"Is Tyler here?" Alex asks, and looks innocently at me. I shoot him a glare, hoping Tiffany won't notice.

"He left for Napa this morning. We're looking to partner with a winery up there, and he's doing some wine tasting to figure it out. Like I said, he's always looking for new ways to grow and expand. I just think about the menu."

"Well, when he gets back, let's all get together again," Alex says, ignoring my nudging foot under the table.

"Sure. He's coming back in two days, so, let's shoot for doing something this weekend," Tiffany suggests.

My heart is beating hard, and I can't decide if I'm pissed at Alex, or extremely grateful.