“Can I help you, ma’am?” The Maitre d’ asked as I entered the bustling restaurant.

“Yes, I’m meeting someone here, the reservation is under the name of Dylan Moreland.” I responded as my eyes darted around the restaurant trying to spot Dylan. The eatery appeared to be full already and hummed with the sound of conversation.

The gentleman checked his reservation sheet before hailing a girl in her early twenties and quietly giving her the table information.

She led me down the centre of the restaurant and then we turned left, eventually coming to a set of opaque glass sliding doors. The young waitress opened the doors and my heart skipped a beat as I caught sight of Dylan as she stood from her seat at the sole table in the small but lavishly decorated room.

“Helena” She said as she approached and kissed me on the cheek as I did her.

“Hello Dylan” I responded in a more formal manner than I had intended. The young woman made her exit and quietly closed the doors, shutting out the noise of the main dining room.

“Thank-you for coming.” She said with a shy smile as we took our seats at the table for two.

“When you asked me out for dinner I never would have expected this.” I commented while looking around the mahogany paneled walls which showcased what appeared to be a small but expensive art collection. “I wouldn’t have picked this as your type of venue.” I said and instantly regretted my bluntness.

“You’re right, it’s not really my style but I wanted us to be somewhere we could talk without having to worry about other people.” Dylan clarified as she opened her menu.

“Were you worried, I might make some kind of scene?” I asked as I followed suit and opened my menu.

“If that were the case a standard table would have been the obvious choice.” Dylan pointed out, “You’re too dignified to make a scene in public.”

“Very true.” I conceded, unsure if my repressed British nature always worked to my advantage. “Then you booked this room because you want me to cause a scene in private?” I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips.