Chapter 9

As the investigation proceeds during the week, Sam not only manages to convince her friends she hasn’t spoken to her mystery guy yet, but also manages to decide on a restaurant for their date. This of course, means all she has to do is talk to him now. 

“Adrian Carter speaking,” he addresses just as formally as she’s expecting.
“Hey it’s Sam.”
“Sam?” echoes Adrian in prompt.
Sam can only roll her eyes, must be nice to have a mate that recognises your voice-not, “your mate, asshole.”
“Oh, well what a...surprise,” he flatly states.
“Yeah, I’m not exactly thrilled to be calling either. But unlike you I like to make sure my dates are available; so are you available this Friday night-8pm?”
Ade’s slightly stunned by the question but he quickly gathers himself again to answer, “I should be, yes. What do you propose we do?”
“Dinner. Do you like French cuisine?”
“Sure...I don’t mind it.”
“Great,” smiles Sam and then recites the address to the French Bistro on the edge of town she loves so much.

“So...Am I picking you up?” asks Ade slightly uncertain about how she wants to do this. His last girlfriend had pretty much expected or rather demanded it, but Sam is...odd to say the least and he’s not sure just how to go about ‘dating’ Sam. Well...maybe not ‘dating’ but whatever it is they’re doing-courting, is that the right word?
Sam’s grin broadens and she has to muffle her sniggers but she can’t help tease him, “aw, aren’t you sweet. Are you turning soft on me Ade?”
“No, it was merely a suggestion. A formality of sorts. Don’t-”
“Alright, alright Ade, no need to dig that hole deeper,” smirks Sam.
“You seriously test my patience woman,” he grunts with just causes Sam to grin broader.
“Just what I aim for, but hey, don’t wear a suit to the restaurant okay? It’s a very casual place,” informs Sam to Adrian. As much as she loves seeing him in those striking suits, if Ade turns up looking like some Hugo Boss model to the quaint little Bistro, she’ll never be able to walk in there again with turning bright red. Plus, a small part of her is curious to see what Ade will look like in casual wear-maybe some dark blue jeans. Oh man, that would be a great sight.

“Sam? Christ, have you hung up on me again?!-”
“Calm down, Adrian. I haven’t hung up on you! Now what were you saying?”
He sighs down the other line, “I was just asking whether you have made a reservation?”
“No need, it’s not the kind of place you need a reservation for.”
“Oh dear God, please tell me this place is not some kind of ‘Rock n’ Roll’, underground, ex-criminal bar,” he groans causing Sam to gasp in outrage.
“No! It’s a nice place! Listen, turn up if you want or don’t, either way, I don’t care. It wasn’t my idea to go on a date-”
Ade suddenly starts ‘tsking’ down the phone, “no need to get so touchy. I was merely...thinking aloud.”
Sam exhales an annoyed puff of air down the line, “yeah, well for future references- let’s say I like you better when you don’t ‘think aloud’.”
“I bet you do. I bet you also like your men at your disposal, heeding your every call,” he snaps just as sassily. Sam recoils-woah! Okay, so she did not see that coming. Fine, if he wants to play it like that, then she’s game.
“Oh well, since we’re jumping to conclusions...I bet you like your women according to the three B’s-blonde, busty and brainless.”

Silence falls on the other line and Sam’s half curious as to what her mate is thinking.

Ade can’t help but smile, Sam Torres, is definitely like no other woman he’s ever met. That quick tongue of hers though, could be put to much better use. In particular one that involves her on her knees and...
“Adrian?” calls a quiet voice on the other end.
“Three B’s huh? Which of those do you fall under then, Miss Torres?” he smoothly questions.
Sam feels herself get flustered for a minute before she stumbles out, “none! I mean...I’m blonde! But I’m not...I’m not the others.”
“Really? Well, I would argue you fall into another one of those categories too,” he pipes, still grinning through the phone.
Sam feels her cheeks flush with blood, but then she snaps herself out of it. He doesn’t mean ‘busty’, stupid, she tells herself, he probably mean brainless.
“I’m not brainless Adrian,” she snaps haughtily.
Ade smirks, “whoever said it was brainless, Princess?”
As he receives silence from the other end, he knows he’s got her flabbergasted and with that he hangs up, smirking victoriously to himself. And his brothers think he doesn’t have game! Psh.

If she thought her cheeks were red before, boy was she wrong! As she places a palm onto her burning cheeks, she can feel them hotter than ever. Fuck, snap out of it Sammie. She urges herself to shake off the feeling of giddiness because she knows he’s just messing with her-trying to get the last word in as always. Besides, now that that’s sorted she can focus on her next task which at the moment is cooking up some dinner.

The next few days fly by so fast that Sam can’t believe it when Friday arrives. But her luck seems to be turning for the worse though because just as Sam’s about to leave work Hanna bursts in with confusion plastered all over her features.
“How come you’re leaving so early? You never leave on time!” cries Hanna.
“Yeah, well I need to get home and changed tonight before I...” Sam trails off, suddenly remembering who she’s talking to, but it’s too late and Hanna’s eyes already spark in interest.
“Oh my God! What is it?! What is it?!”
Sam grunts in annoyance as she packs her bag, “nothing. I-I just need to run to the store, that’s all.”
“Liar! Liar, liar pants on fire! Now...what’s the dealeo? Wait, wait, let me guess! Is it...underground street fight? Underground human trafficking ring?-”

Sam cuts in before Hanna can suggest something else that’s totally inappropriate!
“God, no! Firstly, all of that is illegal, thus the ‘underground’ bit. And secondly I’m a cop, you really think I’d partake knowingly and willingly in those things?”
“So...what is it then?” shrugs Hanna.
“I got a date,” mumbles Sam, hoping Hanna’s not heard but unfortunately not.
“You? A date?...Oh my God! Is it with him?! TaDaHa guy?”
“ ‘Tah-dah guy?’ ”
“Not ‘Tah-dah’, TaDaHa! I came up with it because saying ‘tall, dark and handsome’ is such a mouthful,” Hanna shrugs rolling her eyes. Sam just wordlessly shakes her head-will Hanna ever mature?
“Er...yeah...with him,” mutters Sam.

Could Ade actually be her ‘TaDaHa’ guy? Well....he does fit the description she gave, realises Sam with astonishment. Oh no, she mentally gasps, what  if-what if, she’d subconsciously actually described him? What would that then imply? Oh God! No, no, she can’t allow herself to ponder those possibilities. Besides it doesn’t matter, it does not matter at all, because she’s not going to the stupid ball be it with Adrian Carter or anyone else for that matter.

“Oh good, then you can ask him about the ball,” chirps Hanna, thinking on the same wavelength as Sam. Knowing Hanna won’t leave without Sam promising her to ask him to the ball, Sam gives a small smile and nods.
“Okay, so where are you going? What are you wearing? What’s-”
“Hanna! It’s just a casual dinner. I’ll be fine. But I need to go now, so I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?” cuts in Sam.
“Yeah, yeah, okay, have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t. And if he invites you back to his for ‘coffee’-go,” advises Hanna. Sam just rolls her eyes and gives her friend a small smile before bidding her goodbye.


The bus journey from the police station back to Sam’s apartment usually takes a good half hour but for some reason today, it seemed to be much shorter. Sam guesses it’s down to the nervous butterflies all fluttering inside her stomach wishing she could take a metaphorical anvil and squash each and every one of them. She shouldn’t be nervous. What is there to be nervous about? She’s already met the a-hole, already agreed to be ‘dating’ him, so whatever happens she’s stuck with him for at least 12 months, so what’s the big deal? Maybe it’s the fact she’s actually going out for dinner with a male who she doesn’t work with? Sighing, Sam strips off and hops into the shower in preparations of getting ready for this sort-of date.


Just as always Sam can’t help but smile when she enters the small French bistro. As a regular, the maitre d grins upon seeing her and leads her to her regular placement-a wooden two seat table in the cosy corner of the restaurant adjacent to a softly sizzling fireplace. She shrugs off her coat and slides into the cushioned seat.
“Need a menu, Sammie?” asks the maitre d.
“Yeah, actually, just one please,” Sam grins.
“Company?” winks the middle aged man.
A slight red tinge coats Sam’s cheeks as she nods. Ordering wine, she pops it open and pours herself a glass while waiting for Adrian.

It isn’t long before he turns up-only half a glass in for Sam-but by his entrance she may have well have drank the whole bottle. Dear God! Just like half the females in the room, her eyes go wide. He looks just as good in jeans as he does in those suits, how is that possible?! The dark blue denim offsets his bright blue eyes perfectly, also showcasing his narrow hips and long legs; the contrasting white shirt and thin grey coat emphasises his broad chest and muscular torso.
As the maitre d, points him in her direction, Sam feels herself desperately trying to reel in her hormones as their eyes connect. She hurries to take a sip of some liquid to moisten her surprisingly dry throat and rushes to her feet to greet her date-and her mother says she doesn’t have etiquette.

“Sam,” he nods lightly touching her bare bicep and taking a seat.
“Adrian,” replies Sam awkwardly also taking her seat.
“How do you like the ‘ex-criminal joint’?” asks Sam with a raised eyebrow. Ade glances around and narrows his eyes slightly.
“...It’s...nice,” he finally mutters causing Sam to mockingly gasp.
“What’s that Ade? I was right and you were wrong?” she teases with grandeur causing him to roll his eyes and grumble something under his breath. That childish action alone from him makes Sam laugh with amusement.

“Have you ordered yet?” he cuts in as her laughter dies down.
“Um, no, but here’s the menu.”
Sam hands him the menu which he proceeds to open up and scan, but stopping to glance up when he sees she’s not doing the same.
“Memorised the menu?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.
“More or less. I love this place, it’s close by, cheep and has really good food, so I come here often,” shrugs Sam.
“In that case, what do you recommend?” he asks folding up the menu again.
Sam’s eyebrows raise in surprise as her lips form a grin, “anything you’re allergic to?”
“No but I don’t particularly enjoy fish,” he recites.
“Damn,” whistles Sam mockingly, “I was hoping to frame it as an accident.”
Ade feels his lips quirk at the starts of a smile, never has he been on a date where the woman’s openly planning his murder.
“But seriously, they do an amazing beef bourguignon and chicken fricassee, so which what do you like better? Chicken or beef?” she asks.
“Either is fine,” he shrugs.
“Alright,” she smiles waving one of the waitresses over. Placing the order, Sam’s actually shocked that Adrian being the ‘Alpha-male’ type he is hasn’t just taken over. She won’t comment on it, because she knows if she does, he’s going to live up to the label.  

Sam hardly notices the time fly to the food arriving as she laughs with Adrian. And she never thought she’d be thinking that either. It’s pretty hard not to laugh every time they tease and insult each other.
Sam takes the chicken while the beef goes to Adrian but she knows that they’re both as equally good as each other. There’s silence as Sam watches Adrian fork a piece of the beef and try the dish.

“It’s good right?” she asks curiously.
“Surprisingly...yes. It’s good,” he nods in agreement. Even some of the Michelin star chefs couldn’t have cooked it better and the great thing is it’s simple yet absolutely delicious. It makes the distance he’s had to travel from the city centre almost worthwhile.
“Great, now try the chicken,” Sammie instructs pushing her plate towards him.
Adrian blinks in surprise, “I don’t believe I-”
“Just try it Ade, come on...come on,” coos Sam delving her fork into a piece and holding it up for him.
“Sam! It’s okay, I don’t-” he cuts himself off as she waves the fork right near his lips. Unable to avoid her persistence he wraps his lips around her fork and sweeps it off.
“Happy?” he asks swallowing the equally delicious food and rolling his eyes.
Sam grins broadly and takes back the food.
“Yep. Now which one’s better?” she asks tasting a piece of the dish herself.
Adrian actually has to think about that, because he honestly can’t tell, “well...they each have their merits and I honestly can’t tell.”

“You can’t decide either?! Me too! Can you believe I have been coming here for nearly 2 years and I still can’t decide which is better,” exclaims Sam taking another piece.
A few minutes pass as they each eat their respective meals and then Sam’s mind sparks.
“We should decide tonight, which is better,” she states.
“Should we now? And how do you suppose we do that?” he questions amused.
“Easy. We have to try it one after the other to get a clear idea and we should keep swapping until we do. So when I call ‘swap’, we swap alright?” she instructs not bothering to wait for his consent before stating ‘go’. Adrian carries on eating, shrugging away her weird plan. Suddenly just as he’s cutting up one of the pieces of beef his mate announces, ‘swap’ and just like that his plate is replaced with the chicken.

“Sam, this is ridiculous and so juvenile. I’m not participating in this absurd ‘game’ . I’m a grown man for God’s sake and you for that matter are a grown woman so let’s just have dinner peacefully like civilised beings,” he huffs folding his thick arms across his expansive chest.  Sam narrows her eyes and points the sharp end of her fork towards him.
“Now that is not the attitude to have. It’s a date Adrian, loosen up, have some fun. This isn’t one of your stuffy restaurants, it’s a cosy family place; it’s all about comfort here so get comfortable,” she retorts with a roll of her eyes. Still with that her attitude seems to have deflated and for some goddamn reason being the one to burst her bubble just doesn’t seem to sit right with Ade.
Shifting on his seat he finally sighs and mumbles, “swap.”

Sam’s brown eyes snap up to his in shock as a teasing grin transforms her features. Adrian groans seeing the now recognisable smile but proceeds to swap their plates.
“Don’t start,” he warns but it’s too late.
“My, my, my how the mighty have fallen. I thought this was ‘juvenile’ and not what civilised beings do Adrian,” she mocks with a smirk.
“It is and I can’t believe I’m actually partaking in this,” he retorts. Sam just smiles and shakes her head. She doesn’t know what’s made him change his mind but whatever it is-good. The man is far too serious for his own benefit and she coming from her-the so called ‘uptight’ one-that’s saying something.
“Whatever, just swap,” she grins.

He rolls his eyes but does so. This time though the time it takes for Sam to say swap seems to have narrowed. He doesn’t comment but when it happens once again, he can’t help but watch her carefully and spot the slightly sly smile. Nonetheless, he conforms and carries the stupid ‘game’ to continue until he can only get two mouthfuls in before she swaps their plates again.
Ade smirks and watches as she brings the fork to her mouth before calling “swap”. This causes Sam to snap her head up to him in shock.

Then a split second later she can’t help but throw her head back and laugh.

Adrian feels his lips stretch into a smile as feels himself fascinated in watching her. He notices those wild curls pulled back from her face bounce back as her head tilts towards the ceiling. Surprisingly, she’s dressed...well. Her crimson peplum top with the beaded collar is smart, yet casual enough for a first date and Adrian can’t help notice how red really compliments her. As laughter turns to giggles and her head falls back down, he’s kept captivated by her beauty. The radiant skin, the sparkling eyes, heck even that teasing grin.

“What?...What? Why are you staring at me so weirdly?” she complains with a confused knit of her eyebrows.
“I was waiting for you to quite finish,” he smoothly plays off causing Sam to roll her eyes but not dim that smile.
“Whatever....So what’s the verdict-chicken or beef?”
“...Chicken,” he simply replies.
“Well then, I guess I have to say beef,” she grins.
“Oh? And is that just to contradict me?”
Sammie can’t help laugh again and nod, “yep.”
“So if I told you to keep talking would you stop?” Adrian teases.
Sam giggles again, shakes her head and with a wink at him responds with, “not a chance.”

Adrian smiles back at her as a wave of silence descends upon them. Sam’s breath catches as she feels her heartbeats accelerate. This is the first time she’s seeing him actually smiling and the mere sight of that grin has her feeling like some prepubescent teenager again. Why is her body reacting like this? She’s seen so many men qualified as handsome smile at her before (most in laughter) so why is he any different? Perhaps it’s because he really is a breathtaking sight for sore eyes. But strip away the looks and what’s she left with? Is the underneath as ‘breathtaking’ as the wrapping, Sammie? Or are you so shallow you just don’t care? All the questions, all the queries race through her mind in a split second through the heavy atmosphere surrounding her and her date.

Suddenly the presence of their waiter cuts through the moment like a hot knife through butter.
“Are you guys done? Ready for dessert?” he recites.
Sam parts her gaze from her handsome date to the waiter and paints back on a polite smile.
“Yes and yes, thanks,” she replies allowing him to take the plates and place onto the table two dessert menus. Sam hears Adrian clear his throat and reach for the menu as well causing their hands to bump. Muttering a slight apology Sam takes the one underneath and opens the booklet up. As she scans the printed treats, she’s still consciously aware of the awkward air now suffocating them both but it seems like ‘that moment’ or whatever it was is over now and if Adrian’s going to just ignore it then so can she.
“Ade,” she states evenly gazing up, “how do you feel about chocolate?”
Adrian’s lips curl into a smile and he replies honestly, “favourable.”
“In that case, what’s say you and I share this chocolate soufflé? I have never been able to finish it,” she smirks. Ade shrugs but agrees.


The moment the dessert arrives, Sam finds herself wanting to just dig a hole, crawl up in it and just die. Her cheeks flame bright red as their waiter places it onto the table along with two spoons.
“Compliments of the Chef,” he cheekily grins at Sam before spinning away.
Adrian gazes at her confused as she mutters, “I’m going to