(Untitled)

[handsthatsmile]

A car came to a halt in front of the Second Star Garden. With the engine still running, Angela alighted from the backseat but not before instructing the driver to be ready to pick her up at a moment's notice

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[archintome]

A table for two was not much different from a table for one, he told himself as he sat waiting. He had arrived much too early for fear that if he didn't, something would come up that would make him late. And as much as he was unsure about this whole thing he didn't want her to think he'd stood her up.

He was staring into space, chin in one hand as his thumb rubbed his clean-shaven jaw, when a rather attractive blonde entered. He half hoped that she would be led to another table as each moment seemed to amplify the idea that this was a bad idea.

But then, if this was going to be horrible--at least she was gorgeous.

[handsthatsmile]

Angela gave the room a scan, making it very clear that she was looking for someone. When blue eyes came to rest on a handsome, dark-haired man, a bright smile appeared on her face. She recognized him from the party, even if she had only seen him in passing.

She was led to his table by a waitress who promised to return with menus.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting long," Angela began, flashing him a small apologetic smile, "I never liked the whole being fashionably late thing."

[archintome]

He watched as the blonde beauty was led to his table and gave a warm smile. He rose moving to pull out the chair for her to sit down in, giving a soft chuckle.

"Not at all," he stated. "I always thought being fashionably late was simply a sign that one hadn't learned to tell time," he grinned remembering it as a favorite saying of his father's.

Noticing her brooch he gave a lopsided smirk, "Lovely wings by the way." He was amused and found it somewhat sweet that she'd taken something so obviously teasing he had said over the phone and managed to find a proper way to do so. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all.

[handsthatsmile]

Angela beamed at his gentlemanly behavior as she sat down and thanked him.

"I know some people who can't seem to arrive on time to save their life," she chuckles, "But at least they're consistent in their tardiness."

She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear when Ryan noticed the brooch. She was pleased her efforts weren't wasted, though she hoped his having an eye for detail wouldn't be a problem in the future.

"Thank you," she nodded, avoiding eye-contact to give the impression of shyness. "I wasn't sure you'd notice it." She met his eyes as if trying to insist she was usually much more confident than she was currently being.

"This is a lovely establishment you've chosen. A favorite of yours?"

[archintome]

Once she had taken her seat, he returned to his chair. He replied to her thanks with a simple, "You're welcome".

"It must be hereditary," he grinned, thinking of all the students who seemed to think his classes always started five minutes later than they actually did. "A genetic bad habit that one can count on."

He gave a chuckle, "I'm afraid when it comes to a woman's appearance, I've been trained to know that it takes effort and I should always take care to notice the details," he leaned in as though he was about to tell a secret, "but I'm hardly any good at it." Which was true, especially according to his mother and sisters-who chided him mercilessly about it.

"It is. I've always been glad to have found it on accident."

[handsthatsmile]

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. You've managed to spot the brooch after all. It's nothing fancy even, just a little trinket I picked up at a flea market," she casually narrates before leaning in to share her own secret, "I sometimes enjoy wearing costume jewelry more than the real thing. There's something about playing pretend that makes it more fun. Maybe that's what drew me to sponsoring theater productions rather than more business-oriented projects."

The waitress returns with the promised menus and leaves the two to read it over.

"On accident?" Angela asks with an interested quirk of her brow. "Care to elaborate on that?"

[archintome]

Ryan smiled, thinking that Gael would have liked Angela. "I'll have to take your word on that, as I don't often find myself wearing jewelery," he replied with a wink. "I've always been fond of the theater."

Taking one of the menus left behind, he opened it and gave an exaggerated shudder. "Let's just say it involved an overzealous student, a friend of mine who thought it was hilarious, and finding a place to hide until said student got a clue," he shook his head. He still wasn't sure how said student had gotten his home address and he didn't mention that said student was of the male persuasion which had made it even more embarrassing.

[handsthatsmile]

"What's not to be fond of? Drama, comedy, tragedy, romance, theater has it all," Angela beamed as she opened her own copy of the menu. "Plus, a song and dance number never hurt anyone."

At the story about the student, Angela couldn't help but relate with Ryan's predicament. There had been times when she became the recipient of unwanted attention. Mostly from the men she'd fed on but never intended to keep as a provider. The gist Ryan provided helped remind to err on the side of caution while she was still getting to know the man.

"I do hope she hasn't been giving you any trouble," she remarked. Suddenly glancing over her shoulders she asked, a teasing twinkle in her blue eyes "I don't have to look out for anyone or anything suspicious, do I?"

[archintome]

"Unless you happen to end up next to someone with two left feet," he joked with an easy grin. "Perhaps that's where the saying 'one must suffer for their art' came from."

Lifting he eyes from the menu, he decided to simply shake his head. "No, no trouble." He gave a laugh at her question and pretended to take a good look around. "I think you're safe, none of my usual admirers seem to be around," he winked.

[handsthatsmile]

"I've been told I can cut quite a rug so you don't need to worry about me," She assured him with a slightly flirtatious twinkle in her eye before they dart back to the menu. "Admirers, you say? As in plural? Now I can't help but wonder how I'm faring against my competition," she grinned at this, resting her chin on the back of her hand.

[archintome]

He gave a good-natured grin, making a show of appraising her before winking so that she would know he was merely teasing. He had no want to make her think that he was a lecherous man who valued women solely on appearance. "Oh, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I imagine you'd outwit them, if not charm them."

He closed the menu, leaning forward, "Now I would bet that you attract a fair share of admirers. Should I fear for my safety?" He belayed the fact that he looked like he would be able to hold his own in a fight. "I wouldn't want you to witness a mauling--I hardly look my best when I've been pummeled by the adoring fans a lady such as yourself."

[handsthatsmile]

"You flatter me," Angela's hand rose to cover her mouth as she chuckled, oh if he only knew what she would really do to anyone who threatened her and her own. "But I do appreciate it, thank you."

At his question she gave a laugh, genuinely amused. "I have had my fair share of unwanted admirers but they've been the harmless sort. The worst any of them have ever done was hover uncomfortably close." Her blue eyes twinkled as she studied him, resting her chin atop her knuckles, "You needn't worry about getting into a scuffle on my behalf."

[archintome]

"Anything to bring a smile to such a lovely face," Ryan replied, obviously not taking the word flattery seriously and considering her to be merely humble. And it was true, after losing a husband surely she had frowned enough; the least he could do was make her smile.

He grinned, pleased that she hadn't had any awful admirers of the more serious sort and truly there was no unhappiness about not having to get into a scuffle. He might be able to fight but it hardly meant he liked to (and coming from a Scottish heritage, a man could never not learn to hold his own). "I cannot tell you how relieved and grateful I am to hear that. We'll save my unglamorous beating for another time," he winked.