A WAITER approached them shortly to ask what they would like to get from the menu. The couple, of course, got the same food; halibut—the chef’s special that night—because Shawn loves seafood. Hazel rebelled and picked a lamb dish instead.

She decided to stay at least until after dinner. It has been a while since she’s had great food because of her busy schedule anyway. She has not been to any fancy restaurants lately, let alone go on a date. Besides Shawn was buying dinner, so she might as well take advantage and let him compensate for her trouble.

“Oh, this is good! You should try this, Hazel,” Christine told her when their food was served twenty minutes later.

Hazel forced a smile. Suddenly, the sumptuous lamb chops looked unappetizing. Can that woman not tell that she doesn’t want to talk? She probably was not really as quick witted as she thought after all.

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind when I come here next time,” she said.

While Shawn was talking to a waiter he called to ask for another glass of wine for the three of them, she saw Christine’s eyes sparkled when her phone lit up.

Hazel’s eyebrows raised. Huh? And I thought she only looks like that when she’s talking to Shawn?

“I have a little surprise for you, Hazel,” Christine leaned slightly towards her and whispered. She was grinning from ear to ear.

Hazel didn’t know what to say. She could tell she would not like whatever her surprise would be.

Before she could answer, Christine raised her hand and waved towards the guy who just came inside the restaurant.

Hazel’s jaw dropped.

It wasn’t at all difficult to stare at the man the moment anyone lay eyes on him. His face was aristocratic and his movement was graceful. He was really tall. Although Shawn still looked taller. And had Shawn not been in the same room, the man would surely be the most handsome fellow who walked inside the restaurant that night. And Hazel should know, because she was mostly staring at the entrance door all night as Shawn and Christine went on with their empty conversation.

So, that’s why there was a sparkle in Christine’s eyes, she deduced. The man looks visually stunning, he could knock any woman off their skirt without even doing so much as stare at them with his smoldering gaze. He looked like a picture-perfect model.

But why would Christine invite another man on her date with Shawn? He’s not her other lover, now, is he?

Hazel looked at Shawn. He was asking Christine who the man was. He obviously has no idea.

Oh, no. Is there going to be drama?

“Wesley, I’m so glad you came!” Christine pulled the man into a hug when he finally reached their table.

“Of course! Although, I’m terribly sorry I’m late,” he said. “I came running when I saw your message, though.”

“You didn’t tell me you also invited someone,” Shawn said.

Christine waved a hand in the air. “Oh, it was kind of last minute. When you told me earlier that you are going to introduce your best friend, I was not expecting that your best friend is a girl. So, I figured it must be very difficult for Hazel to be alone with us tonight. And since she said she’s not dating anyone right now, I invited my cousin, Wesley, who is very single, too.”

Wesley chuckled and dropped a smile to the floor.

Oh? Cousin, huh?

Hazel did not know what to feel when her eyes met Wesley’s, now that she knew he was there as her date. She’s starting to think differently of Christine. She didn’t know the woman can actually be very thoughtful.

But desperate. Still shamelessly desperate. And very flirtatious.

“So, Wesley, this is Hazel. Hazel, meet my cousin, Wesley.”

“Nice to meet you, Hazel.” Wesley leaned in to kiss her cheeks. Hazel’s eyes widened. It wasn’t the casual cheek-to-cheek greeting kiss. She actually felt his soft, warm lips on her skin.

Then, Christine introduced Shawn to Wesley. The two men shook hands. “Good to meet you,” Shawn said.

Wesley sat on the empty chair to her left. When a waiter approached their table to hand a menu to Wesley, he glanced at her sideways and smiled. “Are you liking the lamb, Hazel?”

Hazel nodded and smiled. “It’s alright.”

Wesley smiled back and turned to the waiter. “I’ll have the lamb, too, please. Medium rare.”

When the waiter left the table, Shawn got up, placing a hand on the table. “Excuse me, guys. I need to go to the men’s room.”

Not a minute later, Hazel’s phone vibrated when a call came in. A crease formed on her forehead when she saw that it was Shawn calling.

She excused herself from the table, too, and went to the restroom. She found Shawn by the door of the men’s room holding his phone to his ear. He put his phone back in his pockets when he saw her.

“What’s wrong, Shawn?” She asked, worried. “Is everything okay?”

Shawn shrugged. “I just want to make sure you’re fine. I didn’t know anything about Christine asking her cousin to come tonight. So, if you don’t like it, you can bail. I’ll try and come up with an excuse.”

Hazel was touched by the gesture. She smiled and shrugged. “Well, I have been sitting through your date’s public display of affection for hours.”

Shawn laughed as if he was embarrassed, too. “Yeah, sorry about that. Christine can be a little clingy,” he replied.

“Wesley is definitely a change of atmosphere. I don’t mind staying.”

“Are you sure? I mean, I want to know if you’re really okay with this. I know you are not comfortable being forced on dates.”

Hazel sighed. How can she not fall in love with him when he’s the only one that cares about her like that. “I’m fine, Shawn, I swear. I’m more uncomfortable being a third wheel tonight, to be honest.”

He gave her a small pat on the shoulder. “I know. And I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I just thought it was a great idea to introduce you to Christine. I mean, I like her, she’s been really nice.”

Hazel tried not to show that she was a little upset with what he said. “Yeah, of course. Don’t worry about it. It’s fine.”

Shawn shrugged. “So, I guess, Wesley’s not that bad, then, huh?”

Hazel just smiled. He’s not that bad, she thought. But it would have been perfect if it was you.