Getting into her car and starting up the engine, Lucy couldn't wait to be back on the road and in her apartment. What an infuriating man! Ugh, maybe I really shouldn't come tomorrow, thought Lucy. But then he wins! No way. He doesn't get to ruin this for me.

Lucy turned up the radio, and sang "Roar" along with Katy Perry at the top of her lungs.

Soon she was in her apartment, which appeared even more cramped after the luxurious chambers of George's mansion, but that's just how she liked it. Small, and cozy. Just right for her.

Lucy was about to turn on her laptop and research a new recipe, when her phone vibrated.

"Hey Jeremy," she answered. "Yeah, I'd love to see you. When are you getting in? Ok. I'll meet you at La Rue at seven. Bye!"

Lucy was so happy to hear from Jeremy, this was just the distraction she needed to get her mind off the rude, obnoxious... I'm not even going to think about him, thought Lucy to herself.

Lucy arrived at her favorite French cafe, La Rue, precisely at seven o'clock. It was a casual place, and it had sensational french cuisine. She quickly spotted Jeremy sitting in a booth. He rose up to greet her when he saw her enter.

"Lucy, you look great," said Jeremy and embraced Lucy in a tight hug.

"So good to see you, Jeremy. It's been too long."

They sat down in the booth, opposite each other. "I ordered us iced teas, I hope you don't mind," he said, smiling at her.

"Great! I'm ravenous." Lucy began perusing the menu. "I'll have the coq a vin," she said, and closed the menu, looking at Jeremy.

"That's what I was going to order too," he said smiling.

Jeremy knew Lucy from college, and they kept in touch since graduation even though he now worked and lived in New York.

"So are you in town for business or pleasure?" asked Lucy.

"A bit of both," said Jeremy. "God, I've missed you. New York is so hectic. I'm doing well, but it's a lot of work."

"Well, I'd imagine Wall Street never sleeps," commented Lucy, taking a sip of her iced tea. "How's Amanda? Is she enjoying the publishing internship?"

Jeremy looked down for a moment, and not meeting Lucy's eyes said, "We broke up."

"Oh, no. Jeremy, I'm sorry. What happened? I mean, do you want to talk about it?"

"At first I thought that it was because our schedules are so crazy, you know? Like, she'd come home and just be in the worst mood. And we'd fight, a lot, but then we'd make up, for like a day. And then it would just keep happening. I don't know. I think moving in together right after college was not a good idea."

"Wow, I thought you guys were solid. I mean, you were inseparable senior year."

"I know. It all changed once we moved to New York though. I can't really explain it. Maybe it just ran its course."

Lucy never really liked Amanda, but she would never say that to Jeremy. He was such a good guy. Sweet natured, caring, smart, and cute. His eyes deep blue, and his hair dirty blond. Lucy remembered meeting him in sociology class sophomore year, and they just hit it off. He introduced her to his group of friends, and Lucy was beginning to feel normal. Not like high school, which was a nightmare. An elite private school for girls, where she learned that her supposed friends were everything she never wanted to be. Pretentious, mean, spoiled, narcissistic brats who had everything handed to them. In college she met down to earth people, who had part-time jobs, lived on a budget, and didn't rely on their parents for everything.

Jeremy was there on a baseball scholarship, and even entertained the possibility of going pro. But he wanted to pursue a more realistic goal, in order to be able to support his struggling family. So, he went into finance.

After the waitress came and took their order, Jeremy started asking Lucy about her plans for the summer.

"I was really hoping to just work at the restaurant, you know? But then, I guess you can't plan everything. I do have this little side gig, though," said Lucy, not feeling sure if she should share it or not.

"Oh yeah? What?"

"I'm sort of a private chef."

"Wow, Luce, that's great. You've always been such a great cook. Is it a big family?"

"No, it's actually just one older gentleman."

"Oh? And you like it?"

"Yeah, I really do. I mean, George is great. But there's this guy..." Lucy trailed off, not knowing whether to continue. Does Jeremy really need to hear all this drama?

"A guy?"

"Yeah, his grandson. He's a pain in the ass. He doesn't really want me there. But whatever."

"Why not?"

"This is going to sound ridiculous, so try not laugh. He thinks that I am not really a cook, but some hussy out to swindle his grandfather out of money."

"Wow. That's crazy. Is he, like, mental?"

"He said he's had to deal with 'the likes of me' before. So, I'm guessing maybe something bad happened in the past, with some opportunistic woman, and now he's super paranoid."

"Man, that's gotta suck to have to defend and justify yourself when you've done nothing wrong," said Jeremy, sympathy in his eyes.

"I know, right? And of course I can't very well tell him, 'if you only knew who my dad is', but I really wanted to."

"Ha! I know. If he only knew."

The waitress brought over the order, and the two friends dug in with gusto.

"I have to learn how to make this dish," said Lucy in between bites. "So good."

"I bet yours would be even better," said Jeremy, and wiped his mouth with the napkin.

Lucy looked at him, his t-shirt clinging to his bulging biceps, his large forearms flexing as he placed the napkin back on his lap. Being a baseball player definitely kept his body in top form. Athletic physique, combined with a cute face, and a sweet personality, Lucy began to wonder why she never thought about Jeremy in a romantic sense. And now that he was single, she couldn't help but think that maybe, these were the same thoughts Jeremy was having also.

Lucy smiled, and took another sip of her iced tea.

"I'm staying here for two weeks, so I really hope we get to spend more time together," said Jeremy returning her smile.

"Great. I'd like that too."

They finished their dinner, and ordered a chocolate lava cake for dessert.

"I love how the chocolate oozes out," said Lucy, collecting the decadent sauce with her spoon.

"Can I see you tomorrow?" asked Jeremy.

Lucy felt caught off guard. She didn't expect him be so eager to spend more time with her.

"Oh, well, I have to go to George's tomorrow, but I am free for dinner," she answered.

"Great, you pick the restaurant this time."

"Ok. But this meal is going to be hard to beat," said Lucy, taking another spoonful into her mouth.