Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO ASKED INSTEAD OF ORDERING
Vincent invited Hannah to dinner.
Not at the Blackstone Crown.
Not in a private room filled with armed men.
At a small Italian restaurant overlooking the river.
He arrived early.
Brought no entourage inside.
And looked strangely nervous.
Hannah smiled when she saw him.
“You look uncomfortable.”
Vincent glanced at his jacket.
“Is something wrong with the suit?”
She laughed.
“No.”
“Then what?”
“You look like a man who's never asked a woman on a normal date.”
Vincent considered.
“That's disturbingly accurate.”
Hannah laughed harder.
Dinner was simple.
Pasta.
Bread.
Wine.
Conversation.
Vincent asked about her studies.
She asked about his plans.
He told her he was considering creating a foundation to support victims of trafficking and fund historical records preservation.
Hannah studied him.
“Why preservation?”
He smiled faintly.
“Because a forgotten journal changed my life.”
She looked down.
“Mine too.”
After dinner, they walked along the river.
Snowflakes drifted through the streetlights.
Vincent stopped near a bridge.
“Hannah.”
She looked at him.
“Yes?”
He hesitated.
“I don't know how to do this well.”
She smiled.
“Do what?”
“Ask for something without making it sound like an order.”
Her heart quickened.
Vincent took a breath.
“I'd like to see you again.”
She looked at him.
“As what?”
He smiled.
“As a man who wants to know you.”
Hannah considered.
Then nodded.
“I'd like that.”
Vincent looked relieved.
She laughed.
“You really were nervous.”
“Terrified.”
She took his hand.
“Good.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Why good?”
May you like
Hannah smiled.
“Means you're doing something important.”
