Chapter dedication:

Song of recommendation for the chapter: Little mix - Shout out to my Ex. 🎶 🎶

"Have you decided or do you need a few more minutes?" Tullian returned to their table, his pen and notepad poised to take their orders.

Chris closed his menu and leaned against the back of his chair before saying, "I will have the Sirloin steak cooked medium, fries, caper sauce, and green vegetables."

Lee turned to Tullian with a soft smile. "I will have the salmon, please. With that lovely caper sauce you have described in the menu."

"Excellent choice," Tullian scribbled on his notepad. "Will you be having rice or potatoes?"

"Rice will be fine."

The waiter walked away, and James appeared to fill their empty glass.

"So, what do you do?"

Lee stared at those firm soft lips and the hot panther eyes. "I bake. I own a shop in Harlem, where I sell pastries, too." She smiled at the memory of her cozy, little bakery. "Actually, my mother owned a bakery shop when she was alive and she taught me how to bake my first cake when she was pregnant with my sister. From that day I decided that I was going to be a baker when I grew up. So, that's me."

Chris leaned forward. "It's funny how our lives are shaped either in concert or in opposition to our blood relations." He had a charming way of speaking. "So, you own a bakery shop?"

"Actually, it's more of a brunch and dessert place. We stay open until the early evening. Our biggest traffic is for cupcakes, muffins. . .things like that."

"Is it all baked food?"

Lee shook her head. "Oh no. I do cup cakes for vegans, too. I have customers, who have sweet tooth, but want to remain healthy to balance their diet plan. So, we do organic cakes and muffins."

"How interesting. I'm also—"

"Here's your dinner." Tullian arrived at their table pushing a trolley. He placed their plates in front of them with practiced ease before pushing the trolley toward the kitchen.

They ate their dinner in silence. The music changed to Ariana Grande's love me harder. The lyrics echoed her thoughts. Lee glanced at Chris. He was eating and watching her. There was no mistaking the hunger and longing in that hot gaze of his.

"What if I decide that I don't want to do this challenge with you?" Lee tried for a conversation halfway into her meal.

"Then I'll have to convince you."

Lee wiped her hands with the blue napkin beside her plate, sipped from her sparkling water, before leaning against the back of her chair. An air of confidence she didn't know she possessed surrounded her which she was grateful for.

"You have to understand my dilemma, " She said. "Let's just call the Agency and request a change of partner."

He placed his fork on his plate and dabbed the corner of his mouth with his own napkin. "That will be giving into your selfishness."

Ouch.  She winced inwardly. "I am not making this about me."

"You are. What if I don't want to change partners?"

Lee bit back a groan of frustration. "You have to. I don't remember the night we spent together, you do. If that isn't a sign that we're not meant to be, then I don't know what that is."

He remained quite, his eyes regarding her as he stroked his jaw. James wheeled another cart to their table and exchanged their almost empty plates with mouthwatering desserts.

Lee turned to him after their waiter left. "It will be good for everyone if we swapped partners."

He scowled at her. "You don't like me much, do you?"

"I don't know you."

"You don't want to."

"I haven't decided that. Amazingly enough, you haven't been on my mind at all." One point for me, Lee thought.

He angled his head to the right. "I haven't done anything to make you form an opinion of me."

"People form impressions based on the front you present."

"You think I pick up random ladies from weddings and take them home every time?" Now, he sounded offended.

Lee rubbed her temple with the balls of her hand. He was infuriating, and it took all she had not to walk out of the restaurant and demand a change of partner right then.

"You don't know me," He said quietly. "You can't judge people on your first meeting with them. Besides, how do I know if you're not just a pot calling the kettle black?"

"That was a first for me!"

"It was mine too!" Chris reached for his wine and took a long drink. "All this back and forth is making my head ache. I still don't know why. . .shit!"

"What is it?"

Chris nodded toward the area of the mezzanine closest to the door. "The lady who just came in. I know her."

Lee looked over her shoulder and. . . make that double Shit.  He-whose-name-shall-forever-remain-unspoken and Anne-from-stag-city were the people she saw. This was the bastard's favourite restaurant, after all. She should have known he'd be there tonight.

"Sadly, I know him too." Lee turned back to Chris. "How do you know her?"

A crease appeared between Chris' brows. "You first."

"He's my ex," she said, her voice holding strong malice towards the latter. "The bastard."

"You're joking?" The crease deepened.

"Not even."

Chris stared over Lee's shoulder. "I dated Silvia briefly, before she left me to—according to her— find someone better."

Lee laughed. "Let me guess, that someone better is him?"

"It appears so." Chris' eyes crinkled at the corners. "What a small world."

"You don't say."

Chris took a drink of water. "By the way, he-whose-name-shall-forever-remain-unspoken is staring intently at us. Looks like he's constipated."

"He's probably wondering how I managed to land myself a hot stud like you." Lee laughed. "I mean, look at you." She gestured at his body.

He raised his finely arched brows. "You're wrong. He's jealous that I am in the company of a beauty like yourself."

Lee waved a hand in front of her face. "Are you talking about me?"

"What jerks have you been dating in the past, huh? You're beautiful, maybe not in the beautiful type of way the world thinks of, but you hold your own. I'm here with you, aren't I?"

Lee nodded. "I'm still wondering about your sanity."

"Hell, Lee. Don't put yourself down." He shook his head. "We would have to work on your self esteem."

She ducked her head and murmured, "I haven't even said yes."

"You will," Chris said, grinning. "Your friend is still staring and I am beginning to feel icicles form on my neck. So, how about we leave?"

"I'd like that very much. But not until we resolve this issue between us."

His grin turned wicked. "We can go back to my place."

Lee's breath sucked in. "Uh. . ."

Chris looked down at his untouched dessert. "Only if you want to."

Lee took a last sip of her water. She savored the smooth taste as she thought of his proposal. Dare she?

"I can take you somewhere else, but we'll have privacy in my house. The challenge is starting tomorrow and we need to come to a conclusion fast."

Her lips curved softly. So far, he was proving to be the gentleman he was the night they met. He was even willing to follow her wishes. Besides, anywhere away from what's his face and Stag city was welcomed. It was even likely that they would meet anyone they knew if they tried another place.

She picked her purse as she pushed her chair away from the table. "Yes, I would love to go to your place, although I have to get back to my hotel before midnight."

Chris rose to his feet too. "I'll keep that in mind."

Lee got up beside Chris and met her Ex's wide eyed stare head on.

Chris wrapped his arms around her waist and led her past her gaping ex-lover. Lee nodded slightly toward them as she settled her arm around Chris' waist.

It was the highlight of her evening.

A/N:

This is a shout-out to my ex.....

Still editing and loving it. Because I am able to see that something is missing here and there.

Plus, I think I will add another chapter.

QTOC: Have you ever been on a date and saw an Ex with his new partner or alone?

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