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thirty three and it wasn't even mid May yet! How could one man have the energy to date that many women? Let alone sleep with them? Then, of course, her mind started wondering to Mason in bed and Lena doubted when he was there he did any sleeping. Groaning to herself she dropped her head onto her arms and thought, why on earth had I agreed to this? Then she reminded herself, oh that's right he suckered me into it with his manipulating words and his damn dimples.
    Lena had also found out that he’d grown up right here in Chicago and had decided he’d wanted to open a restaurant from a young age where his family and friends could relax and ‘hang out’. He’d entered the local Culinary Institute and got his degree then went and spent one year in France interning with some of the great chefs of the country. Returning state side he’d located an old rundown warehouse and had it renovated and transformed into Exquisite . The doors to his restaurant had opened 13 months earlier and it’d been an instant hit with the town. A feel good story of hometown boy makes good. Again Lena found herself sighing. She sat back in her chair and stared at the phone. She’d contemplated calling the restaurant and canceling all day but had stopped herself at the last minute, she didn't want to appear to be a coward and in his own way he’d issued a dare of sorts to turn up or he’d come find her. She stood up and was about to go down to the cafeteria when Shelly knocked on her door.
    "Oh are you on your way out?"
    Lena shook her head, "I'm just going to get something to eat."
    Shelly looked at her watch. "I can come with. My schedule’s been cleared for the afternoon."
    Lena nodded and started walking with her to the elevator, "What? People don't need to breathe today?" It was a standard joke between her and the Pulmonologist.
    "Yes they do. But right now I need to eat," She paused then winked at Lena, "And gossip."
    "I knew it." Lena groaned as the got in the elevator.
    "So you are going tonight right?" Shelly probed.
    "Of course I'm going. He threatened to come down and get me if I didn't." Lena grumbled.
    "Hmmm. I'm not sure that would be a bad thing Lena. I think I’d let that man drag me anywhere he wanted to."
    Lena rested her head on the back wall. "The man is infuriating."
    "He's gorgeous."
    "He's frustrating."
    "He's charming."
    Lena rolled her head against the wall to glare at her friend. "He is a serial womanizer. I don't need this." The elevator pinged and the doors slid open. They got off and walked into the cafeteria.
    "You don't need what? A date with a good looking man?"
    Lena picked up a tray showed her badge then moved with Shelly down the aisle. She picked up a ham and turkey sandwich. "I don't need a distraction, a complication."
    Picking up a bottle of apple juice Shelly stated. "What you’re really saying is you don't need emotional distractions, but Lena honey? I’ve never met anyone who needs it more.”
    She paused and picked up a granola bar and kept moving. Lena looked at Shelly’s tray. "That's all you're eating?"
    Shelly nodded, "I ate a sandwich earlier. Don't change the subject. You’ve been really bad lately, even for you. Late in the mornings. I know you aren't sleeping for shit and I don't think even you can remember the last time you had fun or sex."
    Lena's head whipped around to her friend. "Who said anything about sex?"
    Shelly laughed, "Lena, did you see that man? It didn't need to be spoken it was implied the minute he smiled and those sexy ass dimples appeared."
    Lena slid into the seat groaning and put her head into her hands, "I don't want this Shelly. I don't want a distraction or something to take my mind of things. I'm fine."
    "You're not." she stated bluntly, "You’re a mess. You’ve detached yourself from anything even remotely resembling a relationship."
    "That's not true," Lena said biting into her sandwich. Then mumbling around it she continued, "I have a relationship with