Ella set her brush down on the dressing table and checked her watch for what must have been the twentieth time in the last ten minutes. She couldn’t believe she had agreed to go through with this date with Xander.

When she rang Ruby to try and get out of it, Ruby put her on a major guilt trip and before Ella knew what was happening, she had agreed to go through with it.

Ella had spent the week at her parent’s house, but she needed to go home to get ready for her date. Her dad was happy to see her finally going out on a date, but her mom didn’t really say much about it. Ella knew her mother was worried about her, but Ella assured her she was okay.

She hadn’t heard from Nate all week either. Ella knew she had said she needed a little time out, but she was a little surprised he hadn’t been in touch. It was more than a week since he had seen Max and it bothered Ella he hadn’t even messaged to see how he was doing.

As she reapplied her lipstick, the doorbell rang. She checked herself in her long mirror once again. Ella had chosen to wear her favourite black dress. It was simple but fit on her perfectly enough to show off her curves, but was not too revealing. She matched it with a pair of black Jimmy Choo pumps and an emerald green wrap that Ben and Jules had brought her home from their trip to Paris the year before. She had decided to wear her hair up for a change and finished off her look with a pair of diamond studs her parents bought her a few years before.

As she walked down the stairs to answer the door, her heart hammered in her chest. She hadn’t felt this nervous in such a long time.

Ella took a deep steadying breath before she opened the door.

“Ella?” Xander asked nervously when the door opened. Ella had to admit, Ruby was right, he was gorgeous. He was tall, at least six foot. He had dark hair and the brownest eyes that Ella had ever seen. He had a warm, friendly smile that showed a hint of a dimple on his left cheek. There was no denying that he was very attractive.

“Hi,” Ella said as she stepped back and let him into the hallway.

“I was worried I might have got the wrong address,” he said as he stepped in through the door. Ella smiled because she could hear the nerves in his voice and she was relieved she wasn’t the only one that was feeling anxious. “I wrote down the address, but left the piece of paper on my hall table.”

He turned to her and smiled.

“Sorry,” he continued. “I talk non-stop when I’m nervous. Let me try again. I’m Xander, it’s lovely to meet you.” He held out a bunch of roses that he was almost choking to death in his hands tightly with nervous energy.

“Thank you, Xander,” Ella said as she took the flowers. “It’s lovely to finally meet you. Ruby has told me a lot about you.”

“Don’t believe any of it,” Xander said as his smile widened. “Unless it was all good, then please believe it all.”

Ella couldn’t help but giggle, and just like that, she felt more at ease.

“Please, come in and take a seat,” she said as she led him towards the living room. “I just want to put these in water, then I’m ready to go.”

Xander smiled at her before she turned and hurried into the kitchen to find a vase for the flowers. Ella was happy that she seemed to be getting along with Xander. If nothing else, tonight might be fun.

She made her way back to the living room and set the vase of roses on the centre of her coffee table, before she looked at Xander. He was already watching her, and the moment their eyes met, Ella could feel her face flush with embarrassment.

“Are you ready to go?” He asked as he stood up from the sofa.

“I am,” She smiled as she reached for her wrap and clutch that she had left on the armchair before she answered the door. Xander reached for her wrap and took it from her, before he carefully wrapped it around her shoulders.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered from behind her as he placed the wrap around her.

“Thank you,” Ella said as she turned to him and gave him a warm smile. She liked him. She turned around again, and led him to the front door.

“Allow me,” he said as he quickly reached for the handle to open the door for Ella. The moment he did, Ella’s heart almost stopped when she saw Nate coming up the front steps. He froze the minute he saw Ella with Xander.

“Nate!” Ella exclaimed with a nervous voice. “Hi.”

“Hey,” he said and Ella could see the hurt in his face. “I just dropped by to see Max. I didn’t realise you had company.”

“Max is at my folk’s house,” Ella replied and her heart sank when Nate couldn’t even look at her anymore. “I will be collecting him tomorrow. You could come over and see him then.”

“So, you are coming home?” Nate asked and Ella knew he was unhappy.

“Yes,” Ella replied as she wished more than anything Xander wasn’t standing behind her.

“Then I will come by to see my son then,” he said in a tone Ella had never heard from him before. He finally looked up and let his eyes meet Ella’s and she almost didn’t recognise the Nathan that was standing in front of her. “I will let you get back to your evening.”

Without saying another word, he turned and disappeared back down the driveway, towards the walkway to his house. Ella just stood there and watched long after he was gone. Her heart raced in her chest, and she could feel tears pool in her eyes.

“Are you okay?” Xander asked from behind her, startling her. She had almost forgotten he was still standing there.

“Yep,” she replied as brightly as she could, and quickly blinked back the tears before she turned to face Xander. “Are you ready?”

“Ella,” Xander said and Ella knew by the tone of his voice that he knew there was more going on than Nate just dropping by to see Max. “If you don’t want to do this. We can do it some other time.”

“No, I want to,” she quickly replied then it hit her that maybe he didn’t want to go through with the date. “Unless you don’t want to…”

“Oh, I want to,” he quickly cut in with a smile as he stepped towards her, then with just the tips of his fingers, he took her by the chin and tilted her face up to his. “I really want to.”

Before Ella could reply, Xander softly pressed his lips to hers.

Slowly their lips parted, but Xander didn’t pull back all the way. Instead he looked down into her eyes and smiled.

“I have really wanted to do that since you opened the door,” he whispered softly.

“I see,” Ella breathed against his lips.

“You really are very beautiful, Ella,” he continued before he kissed her again.

Ella didn’t know why, but she suddenly pulled back.

“We should go,” she said as she gave him a nervous smile. Without saying a word, Xander took her by the hand and led her down the steps of the house, then out to his car.

When they reached the restaurant, Xander jumped out of the car and handed his keys to the valet, before he hurried around and opened the door for Ella. He then took her hand and led her into the restaurant. It was a place called The Clover Leaf. Ella had never been there before, but it was somewhere she had always wanted to go.

“I can’t believe you got reservations here,” Ella said as he led her across the foyer of the restaurant. “Ruby and I have tried to come here before, but it’s always booked months in advance.”

“I know the owner,” Xander said with a grin as the maître d' walked towards them.

“Mr, Collins,” the short, portly man said as he greeted Xander. Xander shook the man’s hand and gave him a warm smile. “How lovely to see you tonight, Sir.”

“Good to see you too, Victor,” Xander replied and Ella was surprised that he seemed to know the man well. He turned to Ella and smiled “And may I introduce my lovely companion for the evening. This is Ella Cassidy.”

“Ms. Cassidy,” the man said as he took her hand. “Welcome to The Clover Leaf. I do hope you enjoy your evening here with us.”

“Thank you,” Ella replied with a warm smile. “I’m sure I will.”

“Your usual table is prepared, Sir,” Victor said, returning his attention back to Xander. “If you would just follow me.”

Victor led them through the restaurant to a table that was in a private, secluded corner of the room. The restaurant was beautiful. All white table cloths and crystal glasses. Each table seemed to be a glow with dozens of tiny candles. The room was softly lit, and there was the delicate sound of violins echoing throughout the room, giving it an atmosphere of romance and opulence.

Victor pulled out Ella’s chair for her, and handed her a menu once she was comfortably seated.

“Diane will be taking care of you both, this evening,” he explained as he looked from Ella to Xander. “If there is anything I can do for you both, please let me know.”

“Thank you, Victor,” Xander said before the man disappeared, leaving them alone.

“I guess you are good friends with the owner,” Ella whispered as she looked across the table at Xander.

“I guess you might say that,” Xander replied with a grin. “Can I recommend you try the venison? I know it’s not for everyone, but it is truly exquisite here.”

“Sure,” Ella replied as she opened the menu and browsed through it. As she read through it, she saw they had a wild mushroom risotto and it made her think of the first day Nate had come to see Max. She smiled at the memory, but inside she felt sad. She knew she had hurt Nate tonight, and it was breaking her heart.

“Ella,” Xander called and Ella realised he had been talking to her. She looked up and was surprised to see a girl standing next to them, too.

“Sorry,” she replied quickly as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“Would you like red or white wine,” Xander asked, as he gave her a reassuring smile.

“Red would be great,” Ella replied.

“Excellent choice,” Xander said as he turned back to the waitress and ordered a bottle of wine Ella couldn’t even pronounce. The girl smiled and hurried away, leaving Ella and Xander alone once again. He watched her for a moment, before he finally spoke. “Are you sure you want to be here, Ella.”

“Of course,” Ella replied as she forced a bright smile. “It’s lovely here.”

“Is it the guy from earlier?” Xander asked, surprising Ella. “He seems to have upset you.”

“His name is Nate,” Ella offered. “He is Max’s dad.”

“Max is your son, right,” Xander replied.

“Yes,” Ella said and automatically smiled when she thought of her precious little boy. “He is four, and the best thing I have ever done in my life.”

“Well if he is anything like his beautiful mother,” Xander replied with a broad smile. “I’m sure he is an amazing boy.”

Ella blushed but didn’t reply as the waitress returned with their wine. She poured them both a taste, and Xander waited for Ella to take a sip.

“It’s lovely,” Ella said as she set her glass back down. The girl filled both their glasses, then took their food order, before she disappeared once again, leaving them alone once more.

“So,” Xander said then took a sip of his wine, before setting it back down on the table. “What’s the story between you and Max’s father, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“There is no story,” Ella shrugged even though she knew that wasn’t entirely true. “It was one night, a long time ago. But he is Max’s dad, and that’s important to me.”

“But there is nothing between you and him now?” Xander replied, surprising Ella with his directness.

“No,” Ella confirmed and forced a smile that she didn’t quite feel. Inside her heart ached because she knew there would always be something between her and Nate, no matter how much she denied it. Why did he have to have such a hold on her? Why couldn’t she let him go and move on?”

“Then here’s to us,” Xander said as he lifted his glass.

“To us,” Ella repeated, but she knew as she said it, there would never be an ‘us’ between her and Xander. Not as long as there was her and Nate.

“I had a lovely time,” Ella said as Xander walked her up the front steps of her house a couple of hours later. She had enjoyed her time with Xander, he was a very sweet and charming guy. Ella wished more than anything that there could be a spark between them, but there was not. At least not for her anyway. “The restaurant was as amazing as I was told it would be. The venison was perfect.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Xander grinned then added with a chuckle. “I will tell my friend you approve.”

“What’s so funny,” Ella asked as she looked up at Xander.

“I own The Clover Leaf,” Xander admitted. “In fact, I own several restaurant’s in New York. I also have one in Boston and two in Seattle. I didn’t want to tell you, because I wanted your honest opinion about the restaurant. Also, I wanted you to get to know me for me, not the person that they talk about in the press.”

“Oh my God, you’re Alexander Collins!” Ella exclaimed as it suddenly hit her. “How did I not make the connection?”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” Xander replied. “Like I said, I wanted you to get to know me, the real me.” He stepped closer to her, and just like he had earlier, he took her by the chin and tilted her face up to his, before he leaned in and slowly pressed his lips to hers. This time, he dropped his arms and slipped them around her waist, then drew her into him.

The kiss was perfect, soft and tender, yet full of passion, but Ella felt nothing. She wanted more than anything to feel something for this lovely man. He was perfect in every way imaginable, except for one. He wasn’t Nate.

Ella finally pulled back, breaking their kiss. She took a step back and smiled up at Xander.

“Thank you for a lovely evening,” Ella said.

“I would like to see you again,” Xander said as he reached for her hand to stop her from getting away just yet.

“I would like that,” Ella replied, not really knowing what else she should say.

“Good night, Ella,” he whispered as he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

He turned and walked down Ella’s driveway, as she stood on her front porch and watched him until he disappeared from sight behind the bushes that hid her house from the street.

She sighed as she turned and slipped her key into the door, and stepped inside. As she walked towards the stairs, she realised she was still wearing Xander’s jacket. She had been cold when they left the restaurant, and Xander insisted she took it. She slipped it off and smiled as she folded it and set it on the hall table. Maybe she could give him a chance, who knows, if she knew him better she might feel something for him.

Suddenly there was a soft tap on her door. She smiled as she picked the jacket back up and walked to the door, assuming Xander had come back for it. Instead she found Nate standing there and her heart raced. She didn’t know why, but she knew that something was about to change between them.