Grinning Lena reached down to hug her. She was a virtual stranger to her but at the same time she was the most familiar person in the world.

“Thanks again Catherine. Same time, same place?”

“Always dear, always.”

Lena paid her the money then walked outside back to her car. As she got in she thought to herself, why on earth would Langley be delivering flowers for Catherine? Oh well, pushing that thought aside she turned on the engine, maybe she’d ask them on their next date, turning cautiously into the street she headed home.


Wednesday morning rolled around and Mason was standing in the walk in fridge, taking inventory of what he needed to order for the weekend, when he heard Rachel come in behind him. “So why do you need the night off tonight huh? Got another 15 minute date up your sleeve?”

He grinned at her then responded as any brother would. “Screw you.”

She laughed and pushed past him reaching for the strawberries on the top shelf. “So what are you going to do to impress the pants suit?”

“Her name is Lena.”

Rachel rolled her eyes popping a strawberry into her mouth. “I know, I know. Dr Magdalena O’Donnell. I’m impressed. Even for you a doctor is impressive.” she paused and cocked her head to the side, “Is she a psychiatrist?”

“No you pain in the ass.” he said snatching a strawberry for himself. “She’s a Pediatrician.”

Rachel’s laugh was loud and obnoxious she even snorted at the end.

“What?”

“Well I guess that seems about right. She’s use to dealing with people as mature as you are. Now it all makes sense.”

Sticking his tongue out to prove his maturity she laughed even harder. “Thanks a lot Rach.”

“Well I was starting to wonder. I mean come on. The girls you date wouldn’t even be able to spell her name.”

Mason shooed her out of the fridge. “Don’t you have some work to do? Cakes to bake? Plus they’re the girls I use to date.”

She stopped, “Really?”

He nodded, “Really. Now scram.” Turning he stopped when he saw a box of ripe peaches on the shelf. He grinned as he heard Rachel mutter. “Wow.”

“Wow indeed.” he murmured pulling the box down.


Lena stared at the clock willing it to hit 3pm. She’d blocked off her afternoon so she could go home and panic without witnesses. It was 2.15pm when Shelly strolled in holding a small box. She shut the door then sat down in front of Lena with a huge grin across her face.

“What?” Lena asked when Shelly sat silently.

“I’m waiting for a thank you.”

Laughing Lena replied. “Well you’ll be waiting awhile.”

“I got you a date with one of Chicago’s most eligible bachelor’s.”

Grinning at her friend she shook her head. “No as I recall you set me up and left me alone with a man who wanted to stalk me.”

“Oh.” Shelly sighed dramatically putting her hand on her heart. “If only we could all be so unlucky.”

“Shut it Shelly. You still aren’t forgiven. What’s in the box?”

She shook her head and slid the small white box over to her. “I have no idea. Brandy said it just got here for you. So I thought I’d be a pal and bring it in.”

Lena frowned as she looked at it. There was nothing on the outside just a small envelope on top.

“Well aren’t you going to open it?” Shelly demanded sitting forward. Lena took the card off the box and went straight to the tape holding the sides down. As she battled with it Shelly sat back and asked. “So what time’s the big date.”

Lena looked over at her. “You make it sound like it is my first date, ever.”

“Well come on Lena. It kind of is and look who it’s with?”

As Lena thought back to Monday she succeeded in flipping the lid of the box up. Nestled inside under some orange tissue paper was the ripest, juiciest peach she’d ever seen. Feeling a grin tug at the corner of her mouth she sat back with the envelope and opened it. Shelly sat forward and pulled out the succulent looking piece of fruit. She spun it in her hand from left to right then looked over at Lena with an expression that could have been accompanied by an imaginary question mark.

“I don’t get it, he sent you a peach?”

Lena pulled the card out then glanced down still grinning. Immediately she felt her grin drop and her cheeks heat as a blush crawled all the way up her neck and onto her face. Shelly must’ve noticed because she sprung up put the peach in the box and swiped the card off of her. She took a moment to read the note while Lena still hadn’t budged, then she whispered, “Holy shit. You lucky bitch.”

She dropped the card on the table and grabbed the peach again. Lena picked the note up and doubled checked what she’d read was right, yep there it was in bold masculine handwriting;

8.30pm, Exquisite

I’ve got the peaches, you bring the cream.

Holy shit was right.


Mason was unsure how Lena would react to his invitation, but he was hoping it made her as hot as it’d made him when the inspiration had struck. He’d decided that for tonight he would do as he’d said, he would cook for her. He was going to prepare a basic Italian Fettuccini with his special Alfredo Sauce and for dessert, well that was still up in the air at this point. After setting everything up in the private dining room upstairs he stood at the small bar and looked around. The smaller dining room was outfitted with a scaled back version of the commercial kitchen downstairs and it had the capacity to seat fifty, however, tonight it was set up for two and everyone was under strict instructions not to venture upstairs unless the place was on fire. For all intense purposes, he was not here. It was just about to hit 8.30pm when the phone on the wall rang. Picking it up he heard Wendy’s voice, “Your date just walked in.” she paused then added quickly, “You must’ve done something right, she dressed up for you tonight.”

With that parting remark from Wendy, Mason rubbed his hands together and walked to the stairs leading down to the main entrance. The side stairs brought him out behind the crowd and he spotted Lena straight away. Her long curls were clipped up on top of her head in a knot of some sort and several little ones were escaping down around her ears. From behind he could tell she was in either a dress or a skirt and he looked down her long legs to be surprised by the bright red spiked heels she was wearing. Oh shit, they were hot. He couldn’t wait to get around the front of her. So he called her name.

“Lena.”


Lena heard her name and turned to see Mason standing in a doorway off to the left. Leaning his left shoulder against the frame he had his legs crossed casually. He exuded confidence and had every right to. He looked sexy as hell. Dressed tonight in a white v-neck shirt that looked to be made of the softest cotton you could find she noticed it was so snug she could see the outline of his biceps where his arms were crossed over his chest. Her eyes traveled past that magnificent sight and zeroed in on the black belt with the silver buckle at his waist. Unconsciously she licked her lips as she continued down his long legs which were wrapped in some designer charcoal colored pants, that hugged perfect thighs and she was sure, a perfect ass. Finally, when she was about to overheat, she looked back at him as he smirked at her. Taking a deep breath she walked over to him, reached into her bag then smiled as she handed him a small white carton. He took it and looked down then laughed so loud everyone turned to look at them. He lifted his laughing eyes from his hand to her.

“You brought the cream.”

Smiling she nodded, “I did.”

Moving to the side he motioned for her to follow. “We’re going to be eating up here tonight.”

Brushing past him she inhaled that amazing smell of his and started up the stairs. She’d picked out a black pencil skirt with a flare around the knees, since he seemed so fond of them, and had paired it with a siren red sleeveless blouse that dipped down between her cleavage. When she hit the top step she opened the door and walked in then stopped in her tracks. Wow, when the man went all out, he went all out. The room was dimmed and there were lights sprinkled around the eves giving it a night time effect. However, what made it so spectacular was the floor to ceiling windows at the far end that showed off the night sky and melded it in with the lights inside, making it seem like one. In the center of the room sat an elegant table with a candle and off to her left she noticed there was a bar with swinging doors that led into a kitchen she presumed. It was simply breathtaking. She looked over her shoulder to where he’d stopped and spoke softly. “It’s amazing up here.”

“Thanks.”

He placed a warm hand on her back and ushered her inside then moved around to the bar.

“Bring all your dates here?” It wasn’t a conscious question on her behalf, and she actually winced when he stopped to look at her, but instead of being angry he grinned.

“Not a single one of the thirty three.”

Lena swallowed then bit her bottom lip looking around wondering what he wanted her to do.

“Why don’t you put your bag down then come back here and tell me what you want to drink.”

Moving away to the table she placed her purse on the edge. When she turned to walk back to him she noticed he was standing with his hip leaning against the bar watching her. She made a conscious decision right then not to let him intimidate her. She was who she was, he knew that and had still asked her out. So she was just going to be herself and see what happened and that started with finding some of that damn confidence she knew she had. Locking her eyes with his she walked back over to him.