Chapter 3

Vaughn opened the passenger side door for Sydney and watched her climb in. Even though he was playing it cool, he could barely contain his excitement. Alone! Together! In Rome! He shut the door behind her and climbed into the driver's seat.

"We have reservations in 10 minutes for Mr and Mrs D'Angelo. I planted a bug killer at our table a few hours ago just to be safe."

Syd stared at him with his long wig and false beard while he drove. "You thought of everything." I can't believe we're going to do this, she thought. "How did you clear this with Kendall?"

Vaughn smiled and kept his eyes on the road. They were just two more blocks away. "I convinced him you needed backup nearby in case of emergency since Sd-6 was sending you solo...but I didn't exactly tell him our plans for the rest of tonight." They laughed conspiratorially together.

"Well, I'm starving," Syd admitted.

"Then get ready to have the best meal of your life!"

Vaughn parked the car and helped Sydney out. She looked at her disguised handler, so handsome in an expensive Italian suit with a blue silk shirt underneath.

He held out a hand as he said, "Mrs D'Angelo, shall we?"

She gave him her hand shyly, amazed that they could share such an intimate gesture in public.

They walked into the restaurant together and the maitre de immediately recognized Vaughn from when he had "greased" him earlier in order to secure a private table on a secluded balcony overlooking the Tiber River.

A waiter led the couple to the "de-bugged" table and they sat down silently. He handed them two large menus and a pricey wine list and left them alone.

"I feel so naughty," Syd said looking at Vaughn over the menu.

"But you look so nice," Vaughn replied.

When the waiter came back he recited the specials for them and they each ordered in Italian. The two of them were so comfortable talking together even though there was such tension and electricity between them. They couldn't take their eyes off each other even as they tasted the warm crusty loaves in their bread basket.

When Syd commented on how nice it was to be away from everything and everyone Vaughn reached into his jacket pocket and said, "I almost forgot to shut this off," pointing to his cell phone. "I definitely don't want our dinner to be interrupted."

As he busied himself with the phone, Sydney closed her eyes and breathed in deeply trying to take a mental photograph of the time and place so she would be able to remember it well. Being here, in Rome, in his favorite restaurant, with him. It was perfect.

She gave him a taste of her ravioli in cream and wine sauce and he fed her a bite of his chicken alfredo. They drank wine, they held hands across the table and occasionally their legs brushed together under the table. Still, it was very chaste and every few minutes one of them scanned the room to make sure they weren't being monitored. they both felt so satiated that they almost skipped dessert, but who could resist the rich chocolate layer cake with a scoop of raspberry gelato on the side? They split the dessert, moaning over the richness of every bite until the plate was empty. They lingered in the restaurant sipping their wine long after the table was cleared. Neither one wanted the night to end.

Finally after several visits from the anxious waiter, who needed to open up a table for the patrons who were waiting, Syd and Vaughn reluctantly got up.

Sydney went to the ladies room to freshen up. She stared at herself in the mirror, adjusting her wig, and trying to believe this was really happening. She didn't know what would happen to them after this evening, but she couldn't imagine having a strictly professional relationship with him after tasting what it was like to act like any man and woman. Almost. They were still in disguises after all, and this wasn't their day to day reality. L.A. was. What would happen when they returned? She refused to let these thoughts ruin her enjoyment tonight.

When Syd left the table, Vaughn paid the bill in cash, left a large tip for the accommodating staff and quickly bought a rose from the older lady near the entrance. He tucked it in his jacket and realized that giving it to her would be a sign that he was interested in more than just a friendship. but she must know that by now, he thought. Friends don't hold hands, stare into each others eyes and have romantic dinners in Europe alone together.

He spotted Syd approaching him and it made him catch his breath. She was so damn beautiful. How could he have resisted the urge to kiss her for so long? He had certainly made a conscientious effort to control himself , even going so far as dating Alice in an attempt to rid himself of his strong feelings for Sydney. But they had broken up for good a few months ago when Alice told him she knew he didn't love her. She was right. Now here he was with the woman he always wanted since he met her all those long months ago. And she was walking right towards him with that gorgeous smile on her face.