CHAPTER 28: THE DATE (PART 1)

[Reid Enterprises — Alexander’s Office]

The morning sun slanted through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling gold over the glass table and neat stacks of files.

Alexander sat behind his desk with his jacket off and sleeves rolled to his elbows as he went through the Carter contract reports for the third time that morning.

The project between the Carter’s and the Reid’s was being handled by his father, but today when Benjamin handed Alexander him the report stating that he wanted him to be a part of it too, Alexander found it very suspicious.

He already knew that his father was plotting something but he also wasn’t sure what it was.

Keeping in mind how important the project was, he was rereading the same paragraph for the fifth time when a familiar voice cut through the silence.

"Please tell me you are not working on a Saturday again."

Alexander looked up, startled, as Lucas Hale, his best friend, leaned casually against the doorway, grinning from ear to ear.

"What are you doing here?" Alexander asked, setting down his pen.

"Visiting my overworked, emotionally constipated best friend, apparently." Lucas strolled in like he owned the place with hands in his pockets. "And before you ask — no, I didn’t make an appointment because I know you would have made me wait a week."

Alexander exhaled a quiet sigh but couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. "You always find a way to get past my assistant."

"Charm—" Lucas said simply, taking a seat opposite him. "Something you should use more often."

Alexander arched his brow. "I manage fine without it."

Lucas leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Do you, though? Because rumor has it, you asked Evelyn Carter out."

That made Alexander’s composure falter just slightly. "Rumor travels fast."

Lucas grinned. "It does when your grandmother is the source. She called my mother and told her she is ’single-handedly reviving romance in the family.’" He helplessly shook his head and chuckled, "Then my mother called me and now I am here, making sure you don’t screw it up."

Alexander groaned, rubbing his temples. "Of course she did." But he wasn’t shocked given the fact that he may have accidentally told his grandma that he had asked Evelyn out.

"So—" Lucas continued cheerfully, ignoring his friend’s suffering. "When’s the date?"

Alexander hesitated, then admitted, "Tomorrow evening."

Lucas’s grin widened. "Good. We have got time to plan it."

"We?" Alexander gave him a wary look.

"Yes, we," Lucas said, pulling out his phone as though he were about to organize a covert mission. "Okay, so hear me out. You should take her to The Velvet Room. It is quiet, private booths, dim lights and live jazz. Perfect for leaning in close and—"

"No," Alexander cut in flatly.

Lucas frowned. "Too intimate?"

"Too obvious," Alexander said, returning to his papers.

"Fine," Lucas said, scrolling again. "Then maybe something outdoorsy. You know, romantic but casual like a picnic by the lake or—"

"I am not seventeen."

Lucas snapped his fingers. "Right, then something classic." He thought for while before throwing in a suggestion again, "Dinner at your place. Home-cooked meal, candles—"

"Do you honestly think I can cook?" Alexander asked, deadpan.

Lucas leaned back with a shrug. "Fair point. You would probably burn the water if you could."

Alexander shot him a glare that only made Lucas laugh harder.

"Okay, okay, fine," Lucas said, still chuckling. "You are impossible and I really want to know what you are planning."

Alexander leaned back in his chair, expression thoughtful. "Something simple, quiet and just enough to make her comfortable."

Lucas studied him for a moment and the teasing faded slightly from his face. "You really like her, don’t you?"

Alexander didn’t answer right away. He stared out the window. There was nothing to tell other than the fact that he had always liked her.

"Now don’t overthink it," Lucas said, getting up. "Do something that feels like you and not what is expected of a Reid. She doesn’t strike me as the type who wants fancy gestures. I think she probably just wants sincerity."

Alexander looked up, meeting his friend’s gaze. "That is the first useful thing you have said today."

Lucas grinned. "I have my moments." He made his way to the door but he paused halfway. "Oh and one more thing—maybe lose the tie for once. Women like seeing men breathe."

"Get out," Alexander said but a faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed him.

He appreciated all of Lucas’ suggestions but he already had everything planned and he couldn’t wait to execute it.

.....

[Saturday Evening — Outside Carter Mansion]

The soft evening light spilled over the Carter estate gates as a sleek black car rolled to a stop.

Evelyn stepped out just as the front door closed with a click. She had her purse clutched nervously in one hand. It would be a lie if she said she wasn’t nervous.

The air carried the faint scent of rain, the kind that lingered right before dusk.

When Alexander stepped out of the car, she froze for a second.

He was dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark jeans and a charcoal-gray jacket that fit him effortlessly. His hair was slightly tousled and he looked more relaxed than she had ever seen him.

Nothing about him screamed the Reid heir right now. He looked almost ordinary in the most extraordinary way.

"You are early," Evelyn said, breaking the silence first, mostly to steady her own heartbeat.

"I was told punctuality makes a good impression," he replied with a faint, teasing curve tugging at his lips.

She smiled, just barely but he caught it.

When he opened the passenger door for her, she hesitated a second. It wasn’t nerves but more the quiet awareness of being alone with him again.

Then she slipped in.

As he walked around and slid into the driver’s seat, she glanced out the window.

"So," she began softly, "Are you going to tell me where we are going or should I start guessing?"

"You can guess," he said, starting the engine. "But I doubt you will get it right."

Her lips curved. "Challenge accepted."

.....