AN: Quick lil' author's note. Sorry for the late update, I was at this volunteer thing yesterday. Also I liked to thank Bone Lady for asking me about how Vaughn knew where Sydney lived. I've incorporated that into this chapter. Anyways, Enjoy and PLEASE REVIEW!

Chapter 3

Vaughn's POV

As soon as I hang up the phone, I realize that I don't have any no clue about where she lives. I quickly pick up the phone again and dial her house. After I asked her for the address and we talk for a few minutes, we hang up.

I sat back down on the sofa and flipped on the television. There was a hockey game on tonight, but it wasn't the Kings. I decided I might as well watch it. After a couple of minutes though, my mind started wandering elsewhere.

I thought back to my meeting at the bookstore with Sydney. I wonder if she bought that I was into espionage because truthfully I wasn't. It was just the first thing I could come up with for an explanation. Although I work for the CIA, I wasn't an actually spy anymore. All I did was sit behind a desk and read through papers. I know from experience though that the spy life isn't a lot of fun and adventure as you would think it was.

I never did get my mom that book.

After Sydney left, I left as well still in shock at meeting such a beautiful woman. I had been nervous to call her at first. Although she had given me her number, I wasn't sure if it was right considering her fiance just died two months a go. I figured though if she didn't want to go on a date, we could just go as friends. I remembered the spark I felt when we shook hands. Alice and I had dated for years and I had never felt that kind of spark with her. I couldn't wait until our date Saturday night.

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My hands felt clammy as I knocked on the door of Sydney's apartment. I was nervous. Alice and I had dated so long, I can't even remember a time when I went out with someone else.

The door opened and Sydney's roommate, I would assume, let me in.

"Hi. You must be Michael. I'm Francie. Why don't you sit down? Sydney will only be a couple more minutes."

I sat down the sofa and looked at the pictures against the wall. There were ones of Sydney and Francie, just Sydney, just Francie, and one with Sydney, Francie, and another man. I wondered briefly who the other man was when Sydney entered the living room. She looked amazing. She was wearing a light pink floral summer dress with spaghetti straps and strappy sandals. Her hair was curled and came off her bare shoulders.

"Wow, you look very pretty." I saw her blush slightly before responding.

"Thanks. You look great too." I smiled at the compliment and led Sydney out to my car.

The conversation in the car was light and fun. We chatted about the latest movies, places we've been to, and languages we spoke. I was surprised to find out that she had been to many more places than me and spoke quite a few languages.

When we got to the restaurant, her eyes lit up.

"This is my favorite restaurant!" I was amazed because it was only by chance that I had picked this restaurant. I had gone through a restaurant guidebook and this was the first one I had stopped at.

"Really? Weird coincidence, huh? I've never been to this restaurant before, but decided it was worth the try."

"The food here is amazing and the restaurant itself is beautiful." Looking around, I realized she was right. The restaurant did have a beautiful elegant look to it. It was like something you saw in the movies with a dance floor and crystal chandeliers. This was probably going to cost me a fortune, but it was well worth it.

After we sat down and had ordered, we started talking about our friends. It turns out she's known Francie since college and they've been best friends ever since. Sydney tells me that Francie loves watching anything with Brad Pitt in it. I learn that the man in the picture is Will. He's a reporter and a close friend of Sydney's. I was jealous at first, but then she emphasized the friend part so I was relieved. I told her about Weiss and his constant perusal of women. Sydney laughed at that. I had only heard her laugh a couple of times, but every time seemed like a treasured moment. I could tell that she hadn't laughed a lot lately. Her eyes still seemed to have a sad shimmer about them.

As we started talking about other subjects, I was surprised at how easily I could talk to her. There were no awkward silences or bored expressions. We were having fun and enjoying each other's company.

The music soon started and we ended up on the dance floor. I held her closely as we swayed to the music. I felt her lay her head on my shoulder. She fit perfectly into me. It was like heaven for her to be in my arms.

Soon, it was getting late and I decided I better take her home. As we were getting in the car, I realized that I had held her hand all night and when our hands broke apart, I felt a sudden loss. It was amazing what this woman could do to me.

When we got to her apartment building, I walked her up to her apartment. As we got to the door, we had our first awkward pause of the evening. I wasn't sure if I should kiss her goodnight or not. Would it be too forward? Would she get mad? I decided it was worth the risk and leaned into her. She started to lean in as well and our lips met. It was sweet, slow kiss. I felt electricity at the first taste of her mouth. I leaned in closer and put my hand behind her neck. I felt her arms around mine, her fingers playing with the hair at the back of my neck. I shivered slightly at her touch and heard her moan slightly. We pulled away as the need for air became necessary. We stared at each other for a while with smiles on our faces. I could get lost in those eyes. Finally, Sydney spoke.

"I better get inside. Francie's probably waiting on the other side of the door. Goodnight, Michael."

"Goodnight, Syd." She smiled at the shorten version of her name before entering her apartment. I smiled as I started walking back to my car. I had a feeling we'd be seeing much more of each other from now on.