Page 37 of Fierce-Colson

“Since I didn’t get to tell you much about what you wanted to know, unless you’re too tired to continue the night, maybe we can go back to one of our places and chat?”

“I’d like that,” she said. “I’d love a glass of wine, if you want to come to my place.”

He noticed she didn’t drink tonight and he was positive it had more to do with her position and being seen out, and that she drove here, than anything else.

He’d only had one beer in the ninety minutes they were here. Nothing to worry about, but he didn’t have an elected position either.

“A drink sounds good.”

“And I’m dying to hear what you’ve got to say.”

He was positive that played more into it.

There was no way he was getting ahead of himself on this.

She pulled her phone out, typed a message, then put it away. “My address. I trust that stays between us.”

“Of course.”

His phone vibrated in his pocket, but there was no reason to pull it out now. He’d follow her out as it was, but have it as a backup.

They said little more at that point, he got his credit card back, pulled out the paper, signed and returned it to his wallet, then they stood and walked out, a few glancing at the two of them.

“Does it bother you that people are looking?” she asked.

“No. Does it you? They are more interested in you than me.”

She smiled. “Don’t be so sure, but if it bothered me, I wouldn’t have agreed to dinner. I’m not going to live my life in a bubble. I conduct myself properly and always have, but I’m entitled to a personal life.”

“Does it get tiring to put on a show like this when you’re out?”

She turned to look at him, her smile forced. “I’m not putting on a show.”

“That came out wrong. I meant that in the booth, you were different in the beginning of dinner. Then once someone stopped over to talk, you weren’t as...free with your words.”

“Let’s say that is how I always am and maybe I just lost a bit of myself early on. I checked it though. Until we get back to my place.”

Which made more sense.

He got in his car, a boring sedan he used for work more than anything, and tried to keep it not as noticeable in black. More reliable than fancy, equipped with police-issued lights when needed.

Marly got into a white Mercedes. Classy just like her.

Making him wonder more than once why they were on this date.

Until she’d humbled him with her words.

Comfort and trust.

He’d felt the same with her.

He’d always been comfortable around her, and he trusted she wouldn’t judge him.

She hadn’t when they were younger and now he felt he was a better person.

He started his car up, his phone connected and he hit her text as he followed her out. When he got her address, he wasn’t surprised she was in a condo, a new building and one costing more than he’d be able to afford.

Close to downtown, which he was positive was for convenience.