e city. She caught a glimpse of fine crystal glasses and classical paintings. It loo

omething simpler?" she asked. "Th

You would insult me if you even me

had been happy to split the bill with her, even though it was a first date and h

Emily said, noting the restaurant's hou

mly, "Come on, Emily Danzi. I need a r

their bill. It was quiet, no music played. However, when the middle-aged

e was pulled into a stron

okay, Byron?"

now it's probably been a long night, but

ed dollar bills and handed the

, "If you're hungry, it's

ng the older man's knobby fin

o then turned to Emily, "Have you b

she

in for a

tchen, while Emily stood t

y," she said, "but

have to because I own the place

at was a relief. Emily had really

d view of the street and the beautiful lan

et into the restaurant

replied, casting a casual eye over the menu, "but

one might say they've always wanted

ed, "or someth

mething strong

ine liqueurs I'm

he had mentioned it, and they both order

and Emily felt warmth spreading thr

?" Byron asked. "Where did he get the

before plunging into that

ashamed of it even though she hadn't done anything wrong. Her best friend Pam was the only one who knew all

me, I had no idea it would lead to all this. He seemed like a nice, cute guy, so I said yes. We went on a few date

bly just terrified the whole time he was with

him. He would still come by my house, and I thought he was just being friendly, so I didn't say no to hanging out with him. But then he started talking a

arents," Byron said, his face growing more

es in the city. It seemed like more than coincidence. And more and more often, he would accuse me of teasing him, even though I clearly said I just wanted to be friends. Eventually, I just a

That guy has some serious issues. Hav

k getting a restraining order would

t make him rethink thin

of garlic and harmonious mixture herbs held the promise of an extraordinary meal.

yron said, making her nearly choke on the spagh