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number of meals and all day together, but most of that was with everyone else. “I…really?”
    “Yes, really. I’ll make a reservation somewhere. If I can. Maybe I’ll ask the concierge.”
    “Um…okay. I’ll finish my outing with Liss and meet you at the hotel. Dinner around eight?”
    “Got it. See you soon.”
    “Bye.” I hung up the phone and just stood there for a while, smiling. Dex had asked me on a date. And he was going to plan it. My fears seemed a little silly, suddenly.
    I was still over the moon happy when Liss emerged an hour later. She had a bandage over her ankle, but peeled it back to show me the tattoo. It was a tiny lightning bolt piercing a heart. “Cute,” I told her. “What does it mean?”
    She flashed a strange little smile and took my arm, leading me down the street. “Everything. It means everything.”

Chapter Five
    Getting ready for my date with Dex, I was ridiculously anxious. Choosing clothes was easy; I only had one really nice dress with me. It hung well on top, the clever folds balancing my shape, and skimming over my wide hips in a way I thought was fairly sexy. But I spent half an hour on my hair, knowing he’d love it down, but nervous that it looked messy.
    By the time he knocked on my door I was ready, but still a little shaky. Any concerns about my appearance evaporated from my brain when I saw him. Dex was wearing a suit. A real one. No tie, but that just added to the look. He was rock and roll James Bond and I just stood there staring for a long time.
    “Wow,” I finally said.
    He grinned and fussed with his slicked back hair. “And you.” He kissed me lightly on the lips and I could feel the jitters in his body. He really was nervous, too. Somehow that comforted me.
    “I’m ready if you are.”
    “Great.” He grabbed my hand and led me out to the hallway.
    “Gonna tell me where we’re going?”
    “Some fancy French place. Apparently you need reservations a month or two out, but the concierge here knows somebody.”
    “That sounds exciting.”
    He shrugged, pressing the button to call the elevator. “I certainly hope so. As good as you look right now, it’s going to take a really amazing meal to make me happy I didn’t lock your door behind us and stay in all night.”
    I blushed and looked down, happy that the elevator arrived quickly.
    When we got downstairs there was a cab waiting for us, and in just a few minutes we were in front of the restaurant. It didn’t really look like anything special, just a small sign and a somewhat modern-looking front window. Inside there was a tiny bar and a dozen or so tables, with a staircase leading up to a balcony. The décor was tasteful but opulent – something I’d noticed the French seemed to have perfected. Large gilt mirrors reflected the soft light around the room, bathing everything in a warm glow. The host greeted us and called Dex Monsieur Winters, which made both of us, laugh inappropriately.
    We were seated at a table near the back. The host placed a single sheet of paper in front of Dex and then disappeared.
    “What the hell is this?”
    “What?” I craned my neck to look. “What does that say?”
    Dex shrugged. “I think this is supposed to be the menu. But it’s just three options and prices.”
    “Huh, weird. I guess they bring us whatever they want?”
    “Oh boy. I hope we don’t need to go out for a burger after this.”
    I giggled, earning myself a stern look from the woman at the table next to us.
    In a few minutes a waiter arrived and explained the process to us. Each item on the so-called menu was a different number of courses; the actual dishes were selected by the chef. Since neither of us had any food allergies, we just went for it. But after doing some quick math in my head, I realized our dinner, with wine, would cost more than a month’s rent.
    “Dex, this is too much,” I whispered once we were alone again.”
    “Hush. Didn’t you tell me earlier that I’m going to be a