"The Golden Plaza?!" Connie and Lula exclaimed in unison. The moment I stepped through the door of the Bonds office, they were on to me like moths to a lightbulb.

I grinned and nodded. "Yep. A few people from The Burg claimed they had been there but it turns out I'm the only one who has!"

They both looked at each other, mouths hanging open.

"That ain't enough! We need more details, Plum!" Lula said. "What was the place like inside? What was the food like? Did he remember his wallet?!"

I let out a laugh. "The inside was beautiful, almost everything was made of marble and golden and…and…perfect. The food was amazing and Everette ordered us this great tasting wine! And yes he paid for the whole thing too."

Lula's mouth watered.

"What about the guy himself?" Connie enquired eagerly. "Is he a gentleman? Is he smart? What does he do?!"

I thought back to last night. The image of Everette's face made my chest swell.

"He's the perfect gentleman; he pulled out my seat for me at the table and offered me his jacket when I was cold. He owns a few hotels from his father and he knows a lot of interesting things like colour symbolism." I let out a happy sigh. "He's really thoughtful too. He bought a house in Saddle River so his mother could visit him in New Jersey more often."

They both awed.

I grinned. "But the best part is, before we said goodnight, he asked me out again!"

Both of them squealed.

"Omigod!" Giggled Connie. "Stephanie, I knew the second you walked in I could tell you were glowing!"

"Me too!" Lula said, clapping her hands together. "Looks like you finally got your prince charmin', Steph."

I felt my cheeks blush a deep red. "I might have…"

They grinned at me but their faces froze. Connie grabbed the nearest file and started fanning herself. Lula stood statue still. The back of my neck tingled.

I didn't have to turn around to know Ranger was behind me. I stayed where I was as I heard him approach us.

He tossed a file on to Connie's desk. "Edgar Greenway." He said bluntly. I felt his eyes on me. "Stephanie."

First names huh? Two can play at that game.

"Hello Carlos." I said without looking at him as Connie took out the cheque book.

"Roth has asked you out again. That was fast."

"Yes. I'm glad he did. I had a really great time with him."

"Any plans?"

"No."

"Yet he kisses you after one date?"

Connie and Lula both gasped.

"He did what now?" Lula said.

I turned and narrowed my eyes at him. "I don't know why you are suddenly so interested, Carlos, but it's obvious that you didn't like the fact that Everette kissed me after the first date. However you only want us to be friends-with-benefits and that, for reason, is perfectly reasonable."

Connie and Lula's jaws hit the floor. Ranger's expression never faltered.

He grabbed both my arms and kissed me on the lips.

If the shock of it hadn't defused my brain, I would have pushed him away or slapped him in the back of the head.

But Ranger was quick with killer reflexes. I didn't stand a chance.

He pulled away and took the cheque from Connie, leaving me in a hazy state. "Be wary, Stephanie. Don't let your instincts down."

And then he left.

I blinked a few times before speaking, "What just happened?"

Connie and Lula hesitated.

"You gave Ranger a piece of your mind and then he kissed you." Connie said, putting the cheque book away.

Lula cocked her head to one side. "Ranger saw you two kissin'…What was he doin' watchin' you two kissin'?!"

I blew out a sigh. "He was waiting for me inside my apartment. He didn't look too happy either."

The two of them smirked at each other. "He's Jealous." They chanted and laughed together.

I stared at them. "Jealous? No…he can't be…"

"Plum, you are one lucky bitch!" Connie cackled. "You have to be the only gal I know who Ranger doesn't want another guy touchin'."

I shook my head. "How can he be jealous? He doesn't have…those kinds offeelings for me."

They both looked at me as though I had grown an extra head.

"What the hell are you talkin' about, Steph?" Lula asked. "We all know Ranger is the strong, silent and mysterious type, but it's freakin' obvious he is nuts about you."

I stared at her before switching my eyes to Connie.

"It's true Stephanie!" Connie nodded. "What makes you think that?"

I felt my heart sink a little. "Because he said he loved me in his own way…." I muttered.

They both rolled their eyes.

"Urgh…" Connie groaned. "Men!"

"But think really deeply about it all, Steph." Said Lula. "Think of all the things he's done for you. The elephant in the room bein' that he sends you a car no matter how many go ka-plowie."

Connie nodded. "Yeah! And all those times he's saved you from nut jobs and psychos."

"And he lets you work part time at Rangeman."

"Not forgettin' that you're the only woman he asks to help him catch a skip."

"Or when he helps you catch a skip and he beats the crap out of anyone who tries to do nasty stuff to you."

I still wasn't convinced.

"Yeah, he's done a lot for me but it doesn't prove that he loves me. When Morelli moved to California I thought he'd be…I don't know, more interested."

They glanced at each other again but didn't say anything.

My phone vibrated. I took it out of my pocket and smiled when I saw it was a text from Roth.

Hey Stephanie!

I was wondering for our next date we could see a movie and get something to eat afterwards? I know a great Italian restaurant!

"Connie, her cheeks have gone red! Prince Charmin' must have asked her out again!" Lula cried.

Connie squealed and stamped her feet. "C'mon Stephanie, we need details!"

Roth and I exited the movie theatre with a mutual agreement that we wouldn't consider buying the DVD.

"That movie was terrible!" I said. "Didn't anyone see that massive plot hole before they released it?"

"I was too busy trying to figure out the story line." Roth laughed. "The restaurant will make up for it, I promise you!"

"Cena romantica?"

I knew romantica meant romantic in Italian (obviously). The whole place was themed around romance.

The building was architected to look like a traditional Italian restaurant but was decorated with red rugs, red curtains and red cushioned seats with red table cloths.

Everywhere I looked I could see red roses; on the tables; in the alcoves; on the shelves; everywhere.

I could hear music playing and I recognised the lyrics to (Everything I do) I do it for you by Bryan Adams. There was an open area near the front window where a few couples were slow dancing to the rhythm.

"This place is so beautiful," I awed. "I would have dressed fancier if I'd known about this place."

I glanced down at my outfit; I had chosen a plain red sundress with black sandals.

"Don't be absurd, you look perfect!" Roth said. "And I see you paid attention when I told you about colour symbolism."

My cheeks glowed bright pink as I slapped his arm playfully.

A waiter showed us to our table. Roth handed him a 10 dollar bill and the waiter came back with 10 roses which Roth handed over to me.

"They're beautiful," I said, smelling them. "Nobody's ever given me roses before."

"I'm glad to be the first." He smiled. "I thought you might like the restaurant. Even the pasta on the menu is based around romantic stories and legends."

I blinked at him. "You're kidding me."

He laughed again. "Try me. What's your favourite?"

I glanced at the menu. "Tortellini; what's the story behind that?"

"Excellent choice; in the 14th century, the Lord of Milan was positioned on the banks of the Mincio in a place called Valeggio with his troops. Around the camp fire the soldiers all talked about a local legend which the river Mincio was said to be filled with beautiful nymphs that danced on the land during the night but, because of a curse, they all looked like terrifying witches.

"The same night, the witches did indeed dance among the soldiers and the only one awake was the captain of the guard, Malco, who chased after one of them; a beautiful nymph called Silvia. They both spent the night together but before she returned to the river, she gave Malco a golden knotted silk handkerchief as a pledge of love.

The next night, Malco met Silvia again among a crowd of people during a festival. But a noblewoman, who was in love with Malco, grew incredibly jealous and accused Silvia as a witch. The guards tried to arrest Silvia but Malco helped her escaped ending with him being arrested and charged with treason.

"However, during the following night, Silvia reappeared and persuaded her beloved to run away with her. The guards chased them towards the river, but when they arrived, all they found was the knotted handkerchief. From that day on, the two lovers are remembered when tortellini is knotted in the same way; Nodi d'Amore; knots of love."

I stared at him. I was never going to eat tortellini the same way again.

"Wow…" I breathed.

Roth grinned before holding out his hand. "Care to dance?"

I cringed and felt my cheeks burn a darker shade of pink. "I'm not a great dancer."

He chuckled. "Neither am I! Come on, it'll be fun."

Oh what the hell.

I placed my hand in his and he led me towards where the other couples were dancing.

He slid his arm around my waist as I placed my free hand on his shoulder and we both started to sway to the song.

A nervous giggle escaped my mouth as he dipped me low. He gave me a heart-warming grin before placing a sweet kiss on my lips.

Our eyes locked after we parted.

"Was that clichéd?" Roth asked.

I shrugged a shoulder. "A little. But it was cute."

His grin widened as he pulled me back up. "Great, I was going for cute."

We turned in a slow circle, smiling at each other, when a distinguished car parked parallel to the restaurant, caught my eye over Roth's shoulder through the window.

A black Porsche Turbo.

There was only person I knew who owned such a car.