It was only ten o'clock, but it felt much later.

“Would you like to join me for dinner?” Andrew asked as he held out his arm. “I know it's kind of late, but I would very much enjoy your company somewhere else besides this club.”

"I would like that. Thank you." I smiled as I tucked my arm around his and we started walking away from the nightclub.

"The restaurant I’m thinking of is right around the corner. Are you okay? You're not too cold, are you?" he asked politely.

"No, I'm fine."

He made suredHe his coat was wrapped around my shoulders as I took in the scent of the Armani cologne that lay deep within the soft fabric. We approached a diner called Annie's Apple. Andrew opened the door for me and we sat down in a booth in the corner. The diner was very quaint and rustic-looking. The floors were wood, as were the logs that made up the walls. There were several booths with burgundy tabletops that lined the walls and windows. A fireplace made of stone stood against the back wall, warming the tables that sat in the center of the diner.

"It's so cozy in here. It kind of makes you forget you’re in New York."

"The food is excellent. It's real home cooking." He smiled.

"Good evening, are you ready to order?" a tall brunette in a light blue uniform asked.

"I’ll have the chicken pot pie." I smiled.

Andrew glanced at me and then at the waitress.

“Good choice. I'll have the same." He grinned as he closed his menu. "Also, could you bring us a bottle of..." Andrew looked at me and motioned for me to continue.

"Chardonnay, please," I spoke.

Andrew looked at me with his enchanting eyes. "Interesting choice of wine."

"Chardonnay has a buttery flavor with a hint of oak. It's the perfect wine to be paired with a chicken dish.”

He leaned back in the booth and put his hands behind his head.

"A girl who knows her wine. Very interesting. How did you become so knowledgeable?"

I looked down and started to bite my bottom lip. It was something I'd done for years whenever someone asked me something I learned about from my father. Andrew softly put his hand on top of mine.

"I’m sorry, did I say something to upset you, Addison?"

The moment our skin touched, I felt this overwhelming electricity shoot through my body and it startled me.

"I'm sorry," I spoke as I looked up at him. "I learned about food and wine from my father. He really knew his stuff.” I managed a smile.

Andrew cocked his head to one side. "Knew?” he asked.

I could feel the stinging in my eyes but refused to let any tears fall down my face in front of him.

“He passed away when I was eight years old. We were very close. He taught me a lot of things.”

He gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

"I'm sorry, Addison, I know how hard it is. I just lost my father a little over a year ago."

At that tender moment, the waitress set down our bottle of wine and two glasses. Andrew grabbed the bottle and poured some in each glass.

"Tsk. Tsk. No wine until our meal comes." I smiled, "You need to experience the tastes together."

Andrew laughed as his blue eyes lit up.

“Okay. Then we shall wait." He smirked.

We sat in the booth for over two hours laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Being around him was so easy and natural. It felt like we had known each other a lifetime. We had a connection, a spark, a familiarity that couldn't be described.

It was getting late, so we grabbed our leftovers and headed towards the door.

"Here, I don't want you getting cold," Andrew said as he wrapped his coat around me.

"Thank you." I shyly smiled. "Andrew, I kept meaning to ask you something."

"Shoot.” He grinned.

"How is it you can get someone kicked out and banned from a nightclub like you did with George?"

He chuckled. "I'm a VIP, remember? I have some pull."

We stepped outside the diner and parked on the curb was his black Escalade. Andrew opened the door for me and I slid inside.

"Hi, I'm Addison," I spoke as I extended my hand to Phillip.

"Hello, Addison. I'm Phillip."

His smile was warm and welcoming. His copper hair was neatly combed back, and his deep brown eyes reminded me of a box of dark chocolates. The ride home wasn't far, and before I knew it, Phillip pulled up to my apartment building. Andrew got out first and walked around to open my door. After he held out his hand and helped me out, I peeked back inside at Phillip.

"Thank you for driving my friends home earlier. I really appreciate it.”

He kindly smiled at me. "No problem, Addison. I'm just doing my job."

Andrew shut the door and walked me up to the building. He tugged the front of his coat that was wrapped around me and stared deeply into my eyes.

"Thank you for a wonderful night, Addison."

"Thank you, Andrew, for everything today. The coffee, the club, the drinks, dinner."

He threw his head back and laughed, then gently brought his forehead to mine so they met.

"I think you’re a very special woman and I'd like to see you again."

I started to tremble in front of him. My heart began to race, and a profound excitement circled through my body. The connection I felt earlier was nothing compared to what I felt now. He leaned in and brushed his lips softly against mine.

"I would like to see you again too," I breathed. “Give me your phone.” I held out my hand.

He pulled it from his pocket, handed it to me, and I punched my number in.

"I'm number one on your contact list." I smiled as I held it up in front of him.

He took my phone and grinned as he looked at it.

“Top spot. That’s where you should always be.” He winked.

For the hundredth time today, I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.

"Goodbye, Addison.” He blew me a kiss. “Till we meet again,” he spoke as he walked to the SUV.

“Wait, Andrew!” I shouted. “Your coat.”

“Keep it for now. I have plenty more.” He smirked.

I blew him a kiss back and softly waved goodbye. I twirled into the building with a wide grin on my face as Carson the doorman stood looking at me, "Ah, young love is so nice to see," he said.

I smiled and waved at him as I stepped into the elevator.