147 Brianna's date at Hilton

~ New York, Hilton Hotel ~

Friday

8:23 PM

Brianna is in a luxurious restaurant on the second floor of the Hilton hotel, enjoying her dinner with Mario.

Mario is a handsome man in his early thirties, a second generation rich boy. This is their first date, even though he has his eyes on Brianna for some time.

He is looking at her with eyes full of awe, still having difficulty believing that this stunning woman accepted his invitation and is sitting next to him right now.

This is Brianna's first date since that crazy night with Quentin. It's not that she didn't have opportunities, but no one looked promising.

She hates that part of her mind compared each of the guys with Quentin. Height, shape of the eyes, the way he smiles, how broad are his shoulders… Can he use his tongue in the same way? How about his hands? How about...? It is frustrating. At the end, she told herself that she needs to shake off this lingering feeling Quentin left behind, and the best way to do it is to put herself out there. After all, there is nothing better than a fancy dinner with a handsome man who treats you like a million bucks, with a promise of an exciting night after that.

And Mario fits that description.

Why Brianna didn't go out with Mario so far? He gave her a feel of someone who is clingy, and based on her experience, those are exactly the guys who are not worth a second date. God knows how many guys frustrated her by insisting that they want to see her again. The after-date hustle was not worth the first date at all.

Why did Brianna accept to go out with Mario this time? She needed someone who looks good and can afford to show her a queen-worthy evening, and who is available... and Mario is available. Bonus is that Mario is known to have numerous love conquests, and Brianna hopes that he will use his skills to make her feel good and NOT be clingy after that and that's it. She told herself that his background being similar to Quentin's does not mean anything, and that Mario's beard trimmed into a neat balbo style does NOT remind her of Quentin. Yes. Those are just coincidences.

"I must admit that I was surprised when you texted me…", Mario said when he stood up to refill her glass of champagne. "I immediately cleared up my schedule for tonight. And for the rest of the weekend."

Brianna cringed internally at his words. The rest of the weekend? Yup. Just as she guessed: he is clingy.

Her man-radar was never wrong.

Well, it's not like she never dealt with clingy guys, but she will handle that in the morning.

Her lips curved into a sly smile and she took the glass he offered her. "Let's not think about the weekend or any other day, Martin. Let's focus on enjoying tonight."

Mario smiled brightly. He does not care that she called him by other name. As long as she is here, that is all that counts. After all, he is chasing after Brianna for a long time. There is no way that he will allow a small thing like she calling him by a wrong name to spoil the mood. He raised his glass. "For tonight."

They clinked their glasses and Brianna took a sip and almost chocked on the bubbly beverage when her sight moved slightly to the left from Mario. Is she seeing things? Why does the man in the back of the restaurant remind her of Quentin? Not possible, right? But… why is that man staring at her intently? She cursed the dim lighting because she was not sure if that is Quentin or not and she cursed herself because her insides jolted at the thought how that might be him. What is with that reaction?

"Are you OK?", Mario asked with concern.

Brianna took two rapid breaths. "Yes."

She did her best to focus on her filet mignon, which was delicate, roasted in coconut oil with grapes and a hint of rosemary, but suddenly the scrumptious food in front of her lost all the taste. Her heart was beating like crazy and her attention was being constantly pulled toward that mystery man who reminds her of Quentin and whose abyss like eyes are directed at her.

With the frustration bubbling inside her, Brianna wiped edges of her lips with a napkin and stood up abruptly. "Murry, I'm going to use the ladies' room."

In the restroom, Brianna wanted to splash her face with cold water, but that would ruin her makeup, so she gave up on that.

She looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. Brianna wondered, why is she so out of it? That is probably NOT Quentin! Why would he be here? Even if he came to New York, what are the chances that he is having dinner at this exact restaurant at the same time when Brianna is having hers? And Quentin by himself? What happened with all the models who are more than eager to go on a date with him? But even if it is Quentin, why the heck is she so worked up about it?

Five minutes later, Brianna realized that her anxiety is not reducing.

What can she do? The only thing she could think of is to confirm how that man is not Quentin. She concluded that she is not excited by the possibility how that might be Quentin, but the factor of unknown is what's bugging her.

She got an idea! The restaurant has two entrances, and if she uses the second one, she will be much closer to that table and get her chance to see that mystery man.

…

Brianna walked into the restaurant and casually glanced to her right. The man's head was lowered, and she could not see well, and her legs moved that way on their own...

"Quentin?", Brianna called in disbelief.

He lazily lifted his gaze and smiled. "Oh, hi Bri. What a coincidence to meet you here."

Brianna was irritated. Is that supposed to sound like he is surprised to see her? He is staring at her for more than half an hour! But she can't say that, because that would be admitting that she is looking at him as well. How else would she know that he is staring her way?

Her lips curved up into a well-practiced smile. "What brings you here?"

"Work.", Quentin responded. "We finished late, and I didn't have the time to book anything on a short notice, so I came down here for dinner. I'm staying at this hotel. You?"

Brianna straightened her back. "I am here on a date."

"I see… then it would be inappropriate to ask you to join me." Quentin smiled slyly and asked: "Is it… fun?"

"Yes.", Brianna responded. There is no way she will admit that the man is clingy, and she does not like it. And she does not like that man either.

Quentin looked at Brianna and she had a feeling for those few endless seconds that he can see through her. What was even worse, his eyes stirred as if he is undressing her with his hungry gaze to the point of her standing naked in front of him. It made her feel… excited.

Quentin smirked and gave a small nod. "OK. I will not keep you from your… fun… date." He wiped edges of his lips with a napkin elegantly and stood up. "Have a good evening. It was nice seeing you."

Brianna looked after Quentin leaving and she could not believe that he… just… left.

Her sight fell on the table and she saw half-finished filet mignon. She shook her head. What are the chances that he is having the same meal as she is? But what got her attention is the black card, half covered with the napkin. Brianna reached and confirmed that it's a keycard for the room with engraved logo of the Hilton Hotel at the back.

…

"Everything OK?", Mario asked when Brianna returned at their table.

Brianna looked at Mario and wondered how to answer his question. Is everything OK? She does not know. The only thing she knows is that the keycard she took from Quentin's table is burning her palm through her black clutch embellished with crystals.

She wondered, did Quentin leave it behind on purpose or accidentally? If it's on purpose, why did she take it? If she left it there, the server would take it to the reception. There was absolutely no need for her to take it.

Brianna took a deep breath and looked at Mario whose eyes scrutinized her. Oh, right. He is still expecting and answer. He asked her something. What did he ask? She forgot.

Brianna stood up. "I'm sorry Marco, something came up and I need to leave."

Mario's brows furrowed. Why can't she get his name right? Did Brianna say that she is leaving!?

Seeing that Brianna is walking away, Mario grabbed her hand. "Will I see you again?"

Brianna pried her hand out of his and ignored his pleading look. "I don't know. Don't call me."

Mario struggled to accept that Brianna left the restaurant without finishing her meal. What happened? The evening started OK, then she was distracted for some time and now she just left? He pinched the roof of his nose, unsure what to think of this.

"Shit!", he cursed under his breath. He was so close! And she slipped away. Now what?

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