CHAPTER 29: THE DATE (PART 2)

[Little Roma Pizzeria]

By the time they arrived, the city was glowing under strings of warm yellow lights.

Evelyn looked out the window and blinked in surprise. "A pizzeria?"

Alexander parked smoothly and glanced at her. "You said you wanted something simple. So, simple it is."

She smiled despite herself. "You actually listened."

"I always listen," he said as he unbuckled his seat belt. "This is where Lucas and I often satisfy our late night pizza cravings."

The restaurant was tucked into a quiet street corner. It was cozy and unpretentious.

String lights crisscrossed the outdoor patio, laughter drifted from the tables and the smell of fresh dough and basil hung in the air.

It was nothing like the grand dinners she used to attend with Jack and yet it already felt infinitely better. She could already say that this dinner was going to be the best one in months.

When he held the door open for her, she murmured a soft, "Thank you," and tried to ignore how effortlessly charming he looked even when he wasn’t trying.

....

[Inside the Restaurant]

Inside, the place buzzed with soft music and chatter. The hostess led them to a small table near the window. It was intimate but not imposing.

Evelyn sat opposite him and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "This is lovely, Alexander."

He smiled. "Surprising, isn’t it?"

"Extremely," she said, smiling.

He smiled faintly in return and the silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable. It was easy.

Once they ordered, conversation flowed better than either had expected. It started with the small things like the coffee she couldn’t function without, the cat his grandmother had once tried to smuggle into the boardroom and the worst outfits they had ever been forced to wear at family events.

"I still can’t believe you wore a bow tie at twelve," Evelyn said between laughs. "You don’t strike me as the type."

"It wasn’t a choice," Alexander admitted dryly. "My grandmother said it made me look ’distinguished.’ But I ended up looking like a waiter."

Evelyn burst into laughter. It was so loud and genuine that people at the next table turned briefly to smile.

And for a moment, Alexander forgot how to breathe. It had been so long since he had seen her laugh like that.

Realizing that she was pretty loud, she threw her hand on her mouth and gasped. "Oh my God, that was really loud."

When she noticed him looking at her, Evelyn’s cheeks turned red in embarrassment. "I am sorry, I didn’t mean to be so loud."

He looked down quickly, smirking faintly. "You don’t have to be sorry. It’s good to see you smile."

Her voice softened. "It’s been a while."

"I know," he said quietly. "You deserve to."

The words were simple but they hit something tender in her chest. She turned away, tucking her hair behind her ear, trying to hide the faint warmth on her face.

They talked through most of dinner and it wasn’t grand or dramatic but it was very real.

She told him about the book she was trying to finish and he admitted he hadn’t read anything non-corporate in months.

She also teased him about being hopeless at work-life balance and he teased her about overthinking everything.

The atmosphere felt so comfortable and this was the first time in years it felt listened.

The two years she had dated Jack, during their dates she would talk and talk but he would cut off with one of his stories. And eventually, she stopped talking and only listening to him.

The pizza came halfway through a shared laugh.

Alexander, as the gentleman he was, took the liberty to put the first slice of pizza on her plate.

"Here you go, I hope you enjoy it."

Evelyn smiled. "I am sure I will."

.....

By the time they stepped outside, the street was quiet. The dinner had obviously stretched longer than they had expected. .

Alexander walked beside her toward his car with his hands in his pockets. "So—" he said, glancing at her, "was it terrible?"

She smiled, looking up at him. "Actually it was perfect."

Something in his expression softened. "Good."

They then boarded the car and left for home.

....

[Carter Mansion]

The car stopped near the entrance but neither were quite ready to end the night.

Evelyn turned to him "Thank you, Alexander for keeping it simple."

He met her eyes. "And thank you for agreeing to this."

Her breath caught not because of the words, but because of the quiet sincerity behind them.

"Goodnight," she finally said.

"Goodnight, Evelyn," he replied, watching as she stepped out of the car.

As she entered the house, Alexander waited for a while in the driveway with the faintest smile ghosting across his lips.

And for once, he didn’t feel restless. He felt right where he should be.

.....

[Inside]

The house was quiet when Evelyn stepped through the front door and the only sound was the faint click of her heels against the marble floor.

She closed the door behind her as quietly as she could.

Even though it was only ten-thirty, it wasn’t very late but late enough that she hoped her parents were already in their room.

She was slowly approaching the stairs when a voice called her name out.

"Evelyn."

She froze.

Her mother stood by the staircase, wearing a pale robe and arms folded.

Melissa Carter’s expression wasn’t angry but just curious. And it was also very calm which was always worse.

Evelyn quickly smoothed her hair, trying to compose herself. "Mom, you are still awake."

Melissa arched her brow. "I could say the same about you. Out late and dressed nicely, should I ask or will you tell me?"

Evelyn felt heat rise to her cheeks. "It’s not what you think."

Melissa walked closer, eyes narrowing slightly but not unkindly. "Then what is it?"

There was no point pretending. Evelyn sighed softly, dropping her purse on the console table. "I went out with someone."

Her mother’s brows lifted. "Someone?"

She hesitated before answering quietly, "Alexander."

.....