"Hello Lynne" Exley greeted her, as he and Bud sat down at the table "So nice to see you again"

"Hello Edmond" Lynne replied, smiling at him as Bud kissed her hello "Bud and I are so glad you could make it"

"Well," Exley said, blushing modestly "Anything to please a lady…and speaking of ladies, where is my date?"

"She told me she would be arriving around 7" Lynne said, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was 6:55 PM "She had to stop home and freshen up"

"Well look at that" Bud whistled, laughing "She must like you already Exley"

Lynne and Bud both shared a laugh.

"So then she has a real job, Lynne?" Exley asked curiously, deep in thought.

"Why of course" she replied, looking at him incredulously "Why would you think otherwise?"

"Just a hunch, I guess" Exley mumbled, taking a sip of water from his glass. No sooner had he set his glass down that someone at the main entrance of the restaurant caught his eye.

Standing at the entrance was the most beautiful woman Exley had ever seen since Lynne. She had seemingly long, blonde hair, which was styled in a beautiful French twist. Her dark eyes and pink cupid's bow mouth made a nice contrast to her tanned, flawless skin. She wore a beautiful dress that complimented her figure, showing that she had slim, long legs up to her chin.

Exley's heart pounded furiously as she looked in the direction of their table, smiled, and waved to Lynne, who waved back. He could feel his heart thudding against his rib cage as she drew near. The scent of her lavender perfume was inviting, and it sweetly invaded his nostrils as she took a seat across from him.

"Hello Garnet" Lynne said warmly, smiling "Allow me to introduce you to Detective Lieutenant Edmond Exley of the Hollywood precinct"

Garnet focused her gaze on Exley, a surprised look crossing her features.

"The Edmond Exley that broke the Nite Owl case?" Garnet said incredulously, blushing "This is quite an honor"

"Ah well…please call me Edmond" Exley stammered, reaching his hand out to take hers. "I'm sure that the stories in the paper haven't been everything you've been looking at"

"Detective Lieutenant Exley" Bud continued, flashing him yet another mischievous smile "Meet Detective Lieutenant Garnet Henley of the Anaheim precinct"

Now it was Exley's turn to be surprised. He stared at her incredulously before finally snapping out of his trance.

"Well" he said, planting a kiss on her hand "Your reputation precedes you Miss Henley. I have followed up some of your work and I must tell you that you are a great asset to the Anaheim precinct"

"Your reputation precedes you as well, Edmond" Garnet replied, obviously taken by his clean cut good looks "Your father would have been proud of you"

"As is yours" Exley said, flashing her a warm smile.

"Well" Bud said, signaling for the waiter to come to their table "It looks like we're all good to go"

Lynne stole a glance at Garnet and Edmond and saw the interest sparked in one another's eyes as they gazed at each other. She smiled, knowing that she made a good choice in setting them up.