Free When Darkness Falls by Jennifer Youngblood, Sandra Poole

royal blue button-up shirt and jeans. “Never date a guy who’s prettier than you, Chloe,” her mom had always told her. As good as Chloe looked this evening, Garrett looked better. He really was stunning with his thick head of wavy blonde hair and sparkling smile.
    “No tennis shoes?” There was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
    She looked down at her sandals. “Well, I did think about it but then decided to wear these old things instead.”
    He shook his head. “I guess they’ll have to do.”
    They laughed.
    “You ready?” he asked.
    “Sure.”
    He surprised her by giving her a peck on the cheek and then pulling a single red rose from behind his back.
    Her eyes widened. “Thanks, I love flowers.” She felt so darn awkward and unsure of herself around this sophisticated man. “I’ll be right back, just let me put this in water.” She walked quickly into the kitchen and grabbed the first thing she could find—a drinking glass with a chip in the top. It’s a little too early for some guy to be sweeping you off your feet , she told herself. She needed to keep her feet planted firmly on the ground so she wouldn’t get hurt again. She couldn’t handle another heartbreak! When she walked back into the living room, she felt more composed and sure of herself, but that was short-lived.
    “You drive a convertible BMW?” she said when they stepped outside.
    He smiled and hit the clicker. “Yep.”
    Why was she not surprised? This guy had to have a flaw … somewhere.
    She reached for the door handle, but he was faster. In fluid motions, he opened the door and helped her into the car. “Thanks,” she mumbled.
    He drove the streets like they were an old, familiar friend, and he seemed completely at ease—unlike her. She could feel her pulse pumping in her neck, and her hands were clammy. They weren’t talking, and the silence was getting the best of her. She searched for something to say. “You drive well.”
    “What?”
    Her throat went dry. It was a stupid thing to say. She was just about to repeat it when he chuckled and put a hand over hers. “Your hands are like ice.” He gave her a confident smile. “Relax, I don’t bite. We’re just going to dinner.”
    Yes, she was acting a bit absurd and blowing things way out of proportion. She gave him a nervous laugh and then settled back in her seat. Garrett turned on the CD player, and the band Cold Play came over the speakers.
    “I love the way the city looks at night,” he said.
    Chloe looked out at the thousands of lights shimmering against the velvety darkness.
    “When I was little, I used to pretend that they were stars that had fallen to the earth.”
    “Or diamonds,” Chloe added.
    Garrett laughed and raised her hand to his lips. “Spoken like a true woman.”
    A few minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of a trendy restaurant with a stacked-stone exterior. Two large gas lamps, one on each side of the massive wooden doors, flickered, casting shadows against the stone. When they entered, Chloe was impressed to find that the interior was just as charming as the outside. The aroma of freshly baked bread hung heavy in the air, making her mouth water. She took in the solid mahogany shelves, filled with bottles of wines of different varieties and vintages. The shelves were a pleasant contrast to the opposite walls, which were a dark brick. An oval doorway led from the foyer into the actual restaurant. Wide wooden planks covered the floor, and intricate rod iron encased the light fixtures. The place had a true authentic flavor, and judging from the amount of people waiting to be seated, she guessed the food must be good.
    “How many?” A pretty blonde receptionist with a mouth too small for her teeth smiled at her.
    “Two,” Chloe said.
    “What’s the name?”
    Chloe hesitated, not sure if she should give her name or let Garrett give his. Then the girl’s polite smile changed to recognition when she saw Garrett step up. She retrieved