British Embassy: February 20th

Mattie Stetson got out of the cab in front of the British Embassy. She was there to attend a party. At the moment the air hit her, Mattie regretted the decision of the dress she chose. She wore a black dress with rhinestone spaghetti straps and her long chestnut hair was pulled into a loose french braid that cascaded down her back. Mattie pulled her Mohair wrap tighter around her as she paid the cabbie and quickly walked into the Embassy. Air Force Joint Chief General Welsh had asked her to attend and represent him. It was one of the many perks of her position as one of his aides. Her father's uncle had been a great influence in her getting the job with him and she had considered joining the Air Force as he had, but her father had eventually talked her out of it. His experiences with his uncle and a military life convinced her that she would not be able to enjoy a normal family life which was something she eventually wanted for herself.

Mattie also suspected it was her father's protective nature that supported his beliefs. He told her she could have a personal life and not be worried about being shipped somewhere at the military's whim if she was a civilian. Of the General's two aides, it was her turn this time to enjoy the free food and booze. If only she had a date to share it with! She looked around quickly to see if Evelyn Ortega had arrived yet. Evelyn was one of the aides for Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno. They had made plans to meet at the party. Mattie checked her wrap and headed straight for the bar to get a drink to warm her up. After that, she headed for the buffet table because it was her experience that if you wait too long then the best food would be gone. As she was trying to balance her drink and plate, a drink came flying out of nowhere and splashed all over her. She squealed as the cold liquid went all over her dress.

"Oh please forgive my clumsiness, Miss! It was an accident."

Mattie turned and faced a man with a crooked smile, deep piercing black eyes, and wavy black hair.

"I'm sure it was! I just hope my dress is not ruined! It's new."

The man gave her some cloth napkins to wipe off her dress as he introduced himself. "My name is Jason, Jason Bashir, and I work for the Lebanese Embassy. I hope you will allow me to pay for any damage to the dress." He had a slight accent from the middle east that Mattie couldn't place.

"Thank you, Jason. I'm Mattie Stetson, but that won't be necessary."

"Then can I buy you dinner sometime?"

"That's so nice of you. Yes, that would be fine," she smiled.

"Great! By the way, you said you're Mattie Stetson? Aren't you one of General Welsh's aides?"

"Yes, I am! How did you know?"

"Oh I have a friend here at the embassy and he let me look at the guest list. Let's go find a place to sit down so we can eat and talk."

Jason led Mattie to a little sitting area that had not been occupied yet. As they ate and talked, Mattie found herself laughing and enjoying Jason's sense of humor and his attentiveness to her refreshing. She excused herself when she saw Evelyn and they went into the ladies' room together to talk.

"This guy I am sitting with bumped into me and spilled a drink all over me!" Mattie explained the whole story to Evelyn who listened with sympathy and then delights for her friend when Mattie said that Jason had asked her out.

"Wow, he sounds too good to be true. He is kind and attentive to boot! Wish I could find someone to spill a drink on me," Evelyn laughed.

They agreed that they would share a cab home, and when they returned to Jason he gave Evelyn a drink.

"I hope you don't mind, I got a drink for you," Jason told Evelyn. "Thanks so much! Save me a place-I'm going to get some food."

When she came back, Jason was talking to another man who he introduced as his friend Rachid Haddad who he said also worked at the Lebanese embassy and was his roommate. Rachid asked Evelyn to dance with him and they left Jason and Mattie. When Mattie finished her meatballs, she and Jason joined them on the dance floor. Mattie was amazed at how comfortable she felt with Jason. She liked that he was very attentive to her and asked her questions about her family and why she chose to work for the General. Mattie told Jason all about her father who had grown up without parents and that his uncle raised him. She rambled on how she had been fascinated by planes as a child and loved hearing about them by the Colonel. She laughed and said her father always referred to him that way and not "uncle." Jason seemed to

enjoy her stories about her, her sister, and her half-brothers. The night seemed to fly by when she realized how late it was, and she told Jason she needed to find Evelyn for their ride home. Jason asked for her number so he could call her for the promised dinner. Mattie typed it into his phone for him and went off to look for her friend. As Mattie and Evelyn talked in the taxi they told each other more about their companions of the night. Evelyn also said that Rachid had asked her out as well and thought maybe it would be fun to go out together if they decided they would like a second date with the two men. Mattie agreed.

—

A few nights later Mattie met Jason at the Steak house that was near her apartment. Mattie was flattered that Jason had called the next day after they had met to make good on his promise to take her out to dinner to make up for the spilled drink. She wore her nice jeans with heels and a royal blue sweater that lit up her hazel/green eyes. When Mattie arrived Jason was already seated at a table. She saw him and waved as she caught sight of him. As she came to sit down Jason stood up and helped her into her chair.

"Thanks, Jason! You are such a gentleman!"

"My parents raised me that way!" Jason said smiling.

"Well, you can thank them for me!"

Picking up the wine list Jason asked "Do you want some wine?"

"Yes, I would, thanks."

Jason summoned the waiter and ordered a white wine for Mattie and a club soda for himself.

During the dinner, Jason asked Mattie a lot about herself and her family. She told him more stories of her and her sister and the blended family. Mattie began to get self-conscious about herself and said "I've been talking mostly. Why don't you tell me about your family?"

"Oh, we're not very interesting. You have lots of fun stories about yours. I was born in Lebanon and my parents decided to come to the U.S. when I was very young-about two years old. There has always been so much turmoil in Beirut, so my dad sold his business and we moved to Los Angeles. He drives a truck and my mom works in the office at a school. You know, it's the old story of searching for a better life."

"And do you think they found it?"

"Maybe! They've had to work hard."

When they had finished dinner Mattie looked at the menu and didn't see anything that she liked for dessert.

"I have a great idea for dessert! Why don't we go to my brother's restaurant? They have my favorite Salted Caramel Cheesecake-it's to die for!"

"Sure! Your brother has a restaurant?"

Yes, it's The Capitol Steps. You must know about it! All the government people go there."

"Oh yes, of course, I know it well!"

—-

When Mattie and Jason arrived at The Capitol Steps, Mattie suggested one of the small booths. She was hoping Jason would choose to sit next to her but instead he sat opposite her. Angela the hostess said that Philip had gone home early and wasn't expected back. They decided to share an extra-large piece of the Salted Caramel Cheesecake. They laughed as they got down to the last bite and fought over it with their forks, but eventually, they divided it up. When Jason left Mattie off at her car, they made plans for a movie and dinner for Friday.