After that day that I first met James, my skepticism escalated greatly. When Kim and I went to our condo that night and we were getting ready for bed I told her of my feelings on the matter. I said to her, "Kimberly, I can't believe you actually think he is like that. I bet you this is the face he puts on when he first meets someone." Kim laughed and said that he had been that way since she could remember and they'd grown up together. I wasn't convinced, not in any way. So then Kim put it to me, telling me not to make any real conclusions about him until I had a date with him. I looked at her and smiled, nodding that it was fine. I was up to unmasking this man that was supposedly the most amazing creature in the world. I had no idea of what was going to happen, and I definitely was not expecting what our date ended up being.

 

Faith is such a skeptic. I couldn't believe that she wouldn't be live me. So I said I'd set her up on a date with James. The next day I was to meet James for lunch and at lunch I dropped the bomb on him. He took it in his ever so good natured way. He laughed saying that he was up for the challenge. He kept telling me that there we way to many skeptical women out there, and that it would take guys like him to show them that all men aren't evil. I laughed, knowing that he was right. "Alright then. Picke her up at around 9 tomorrow. I know you won't be late, but she might think you will be so she'll tak her time. Just come and I'll let you in. You know where we live. I shall be expecting you then." With that I kissed him on the cheek and ran off to tell Faith of her up coming date with James.

 

When Kim set the date I was actually quite excited about being able to show her friend, Faith, that not all men are crazy bastards. As soon as Kim left my home, I set out to plan a wonderful date. The night of the date came and I was ready to show Faith the real me, the me she had already seen, but couldn't belive. I drove up to the girls' condo and stepped out my car. I dusted off my suit and grabbed the bouquet of two dozen red and white roses. I walked up to the door and rang the door bell.Kim answered the door and ushered me in. I lightly kissed her cheek and asked if Faith was ready. Kim smiled and replied, "I told her you'd be here on time, but she didn't believe me. She's almost ready though. Just wait here." Kim ushered me to the living room and then ran to the other side of the condo where Faith's room was. I was looking out of the window in the livingroom when I heard Kim clear her throat. I turned to see a very beautiful Faith. She truly was gorgeous. I smiled and walked over to her. "I can see that that was a well awaited entrance." I took her hand, lightly kissing the back of her hand. I handed her the roses, and as I expected her eyes lighted up. I smiled and replied to her unspoken query. "Those are from my garden. I cultivate roses on my time off. It's one of my silent hobbies." I smiled as Kim took the roses putting them into a beautiful vase that was a copy of some victorian vase. I winked at Kim and I ushered Faith out of the condo. As we walked down to my car,  I watched her once again, as her eyes seemed to bulge out of her head at the sight of my car. It was 1950 Chevy convertible, in black. I opened the door for her, and helped her to enter the car. I walked around to my side of the car and entered. As we begun on our way I smiled and began to ask her question. The typical small talk that happens at the beginning of a date. She began to answer my questions and ask questions of her own. I was more than happy to obligue in answering. I had nothing to hide and so I answered everything very openly. We spent the entire ride to the restaurant talking. She seemed to be enjoying her time with me, which was just exactly what I wanted her to do, and I wanted her be preoccupied. When we finally stopped it was in front of a quaint restaurant. I stepped out of the car, and quickly went to her side, letting her out of the car. At that moment was when the date actually began.

As I took James' hand to step out of the car, I finally looked around me. Our surroundings had changed drastically. I hadn't even noticed the change, for he and I had spent such an amount of time talking that I hadn't noticed that over an hour had lapsed from the time he had come to pick me up at the condo. We were no longer in the city, I could easily see that much. We had parked in front of this lovely bistro restaurant. I looked over at him and smiled. He cocked his arm towards me and I took his arm. He escorted me towards the restaurant and as we reached the door, it opened and a young man smiled, and spoke to James. "Welcome, Mr. Duvlin. Your table is ready and we have put your favorite wine to chill." James smiled and handed the young man an envelope. I guessed that it must have been the boy's tip. James then walked me to the table and after pulling out my chair and helping take a seat, he went over to his chair and sat. I began to look about at the architecture of the restaurant, and found myself enthralled by it's simple beauty. When I looked back to James, he was looking at me, smiling warmly. "Ok, what are you smiling about?" I asked him. He didn't answer, just smiled softly. He handed me my menu and excused himself a moment, leaving me once more with the gorgeous architecture that I had before me.

 

I stepped out a moment to let our surroundings settle in with Faith. I had a surprise I wanted to give her. What I hadn't told her was that this was my restaurant and that I knew about her passion with architecture. I was hoping that she would get very amazed by the way the place had been built, so that I could make her a gift, something I thought she would truly enjoy. When I had left the table I went into the kitchen checking with the chef to make sure that the dessert I had planned on and then picking up a plate of chocolate covered strawberries I walked back to the table. When I walked back to the table, Faith was still looking at the walls and the architecture. I smiled and placed the plate down, once again taking my place. "So what do you think of the building?"

 

When James returned and asked me what I thought of the building, I smiled brightly. I could feel the red enter my cheeks, more than just the rogue I had already put on. "There are no words to describe the beauty that is surrounding us right now. This is my favorit type of architecture." I reached to the plate of strawberries and took one. Taking a bite of it, I looked around the restaurant, when it hit me how quiet it truly was in the restaurant. I looked around seeing if there were any others in the restaurant, and found that only James and myself, along with those that worked in the restaurant were there. I suddenly became nervous, for one never expects to be in a restaurant alone with a man you barely know on the first date. I put down the rest of the un-eaten strawberry and looked up to James. I suppose the un-easiness shown through in my gaze for he aske me if anything was the matter. I tried to smile, but I coudn't help the nervousness of my actions. "It's awefully quiet in here isn't it?" Once I asked the question, James smiled and answered saying: "Well I had the restaurant closed tonight so that we could have a nice and romantic night to get to know one another."

 

Faith's eyes grew wide when I told her the reason that there wasn't that many people in the restaurant. "This is your restaurant?" she asked, her eyes turning into huge saucers of bright blue. I nodded and as I did this, she seemed to calm down from her excited state. I think that maybe the chef felt it was time to save me from myself because he walked in asking if we were ready to order our meal. I smiled saying ladies first. Faith ordered and then I ordered. The salad appetizer was brought out as well as the bread and as we began to eat, the truth about everything began to come.

I looked at James, amazed. He owned the restaurant, which I must say in itself was beautiful. It had a romanasque architecture that truly made it more beautifully quainte than anything I'd seen in a long time. I began to eat my salad and then I looked at James. He sat a across from me smiling. I looked at him, and smirked. "Why are you smiling?"

 

I was looking at Faith then entire time she was looking at the building. I couldn't take my eyes from her. She was beautiful, there was no question of that, but that wasn't the reason I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was one of an inquisitive mind, and I could tell she was very intelligent. I could also see that she was one who loved things around her that could make her better. And what amazed me the most about her was her skepticism. I mean her name is Faith, and yet she wouldn't take anythign at face value. I liked that because someone who would dig deeper was definitely worth telling the truth to. When she asked me why I smiled, I didn't hesitate to tell her. "Well, you are quite a woman, Faith. I've been to dates with many of Kim's friends, and none of them get past the whole looks thing. They never ask me anything meaningful. They don't make interesting conversation, they don't do anything out of the normal. You, on the other hand... You have captured my attention. You ask real questions, you are looking to prove me wrong." I chuckled softly. "No one has ever wanted to prove that I am not what I say I am. I like that." She looked at me and smiled, and then turned back to her salad, as if she didnt' want to look at me. I smiled and continued to eat my salad.

 

I hadn't expected that answer from him. From the time he had picked me up at my condo more than an hour ago, I had done as he said. I asked him all the questions I thought would trip him up, give him away, but each time he answer just the same: with true sincerity and openness. I mean I'm one of the biggest skeptics I've ever known, and everytime I would try to find something that wasn't right with him, he would very graciously show me that he was real. I was looking down at my salad plate, when the chef came and took the plate, putting the main course before me. I looked up and smiled to him, thanking him. I fell silent once more and looked down to my plate. I slowly picked up my eating utensils and began to eat. When I looked up, James was looking at me again, but this time the smile had faded from his lips. For a moment I thought he seemed worried. But when I looked at him, he smiled again. I smiled as well, and began to eat.

 

Faith seemed deep in thought. I worried that I had said something that disturbed her. I was worried I might had made her angry at me. I didn't want that. I was trying to make her date with me an enjoyable one. When she looked up and smiled to me, I was able to calm down. I smiled to myself thinking that maybe I was wearing her down. I looked down to my watch. We had been out on this day for about and hour and a half.  I smiled, for the day wasn't even over yet. I began to eat then grabbed the bottle of wine and served her first, of course, and then myself. I offered a toast. "To a lovely night with a lovely lady." I smiled as she raised her glass to mine.  I looked at her face. I could tell I had made her blush. This was the second time I had done that. Maybe I was getting through to her.

 

The meal was amazing. Filet mignon with wild rice and something I could not recognize. Everything tasted divine, and the wine was a perfect additive. But his toast, I hadn't expected at all. I seriously thought I was making the date difficult on him, but he still appeared the gentleman in all ways. It seemed that this night was going to be proven wrong, and if it was to be by him, I didn't mind at all. I continued to eat, every once in a while, stealing looks at him. I had to admit to myself. He was seriously a blast from the past. He had wonderful table etiquette. He spoke wonderfully, and had treated me like a queen the entire time. Come to think about it, he had done so the first day I met him as well.  And not only that, but he was amazingly handsome. I smiled and put down my fork and knife. I picked up my wine glass and sat back in my seat. He looked over to me and smiled.

 

Faith seemed to have truly enjoyed the meal. I was glad that she did. When she had finished her meal, I smiled and excused myself from the table. I walked over the kitchen and told the chef that we were ready for the dessert. When I returned to the kitchen two of the busboys had come and were clearing the table. I smiled to them both and took my seat. As I sat, the chef came and put two covered plates before us. He then removed the lids from them and departed. On each of the plates was a colorful dessert. Three different berries, glazed, sat on a sort of cheesecake. The tort was swirled with dark, milk, and white chocolate, and atop of it was drizzled a Chardoney. I took my fork, and took a piece, and brought it to her lips. She smiled and took it. She closed her eyes as she savored it. When she opened them, I smiled.

 

When the chef brought out the dessert and I looked at it I was, as always, skeptical to the flavor. It looked beautiful, but would it taste as divine as it looked? Well needless to say, it tasted wonderful, beyond what I was expecting. I savored every flavor. I could taste the fresh fruit, each type of chocolate, the wine on top of it all. Everything was so wonderful. I felt like was in a fairytale, and yet, I didn't feel skeptical about it at all. I smiled and continued to eat the dessert. As we ate, James and I talked about this and that, laughing at little jokes we'd tell, and telling each other about things in our lives. I think we sat there with the dessert talking for about an hour. I didn't know what time it was, nor did I care. I was having a lovely time. And I was even more surprised when he stood, walked around the table, helped me out of my seat, and said we were going out to see something.

I asked Faith to come with me. I took her to a back door in the restaurant that is rarely used. Out there awaited a string quartet that as soon as we exited began to play. Faith's eyes lit up ans she began to smile. I extended my hand to her. "May I have this dance, fair lady?" She smiled taking my hand. We began to dance, gliding to and fro; we just danced under the stars. I felt that this date would end successfully.

 

When James took me out and we started to dance, I was swept away. I love to dance and I had yet to find a man who could keep up with me. James danced beautifully. He has moves like Fred Astaire. And not only that, but the music was devine. This first date had taken me aback. And yet I still felt that he was hiding something from me. Of course, I am a skeptic, so I wasn't ready to let myself be convinced just yet. After the dancing James took me for a little walk along the bay. The night had turned a bit chilly, and James, chivalrous as he had been then entire night, leant me his jacket. I accepted it greatfully. I was looking at the stars and the moon, when I suddenly had the urge to look at my watch. I looked over to James and he smiled.

 

When Faith looked down to her watch I knew that it was time to take her home. we had been on the date for over three hours and it was tiem to take her home. I twas soon to be one in the morning and I knew that she had to work in the morning, as did I. So we walked back towards the restaurant and then out to the car. I opened the door on her side, helping her into the car. I to in and before I'd even turned on the engine, Faith turned to me. "I've had a lovely night, James," she said, "but I'm not done trying to figure you out mister." I smiled  and said, "I cherish the challenge to prove myself to you." I started the engine, adn we stareed back into the city. The drive back was just as eventful as the drive into the country had been. We talked and laughed have a good time with good conversation. When we reached Faith's condo, I escorted her to her front door. I thanked her for haveing this date with me, kissed her hand, and waited for her as she found her keys and entered her condo. I smiled and wlke dto my car, started the engine and drove home feelign like I was on cloud nine.

 

When james brought me home and walked me to my door, well I had half expected him to walk in with me for something or another. I expected that because most of the guys I'd ever dated would come in and try to come into my place. Of course, they were always denied, but he didn't even try to come in; James very politely stood by, made sure I was in the condo and left. I couldnt' believe it. When I finally closed the door behind me, and looked up, I saw that Kim was sitting on the couch, waiting for me. I looked at her and smiled, walking past her and saying, "I'll tell you all baout it at breakfast. No questions now. Right now I'm going to bed and getting some sleep. I have to work tommorrow as do you. So go to bed." I walked into my room, changed, and hopped into , with ideas on how to foil James into giving himself up to me.

 

The first thing I did the next morning was to have Faith dish out how the date went. I knew it had to have been well because if Faith hadn't liked hi, I would have seen her coming back home withing and hour of her leaving. So as I prepared breakfast, Faith gave me a detailed play by play of aher date. I could tell that she had been impressed but she still wasn't completely convinced. I handed her the food and told her that James had nothing to hide. She smiled at me saying that she'd see. Before she walked out the door, I said, "Oh and by the way, I hope you dont' expect him to be fancy all the time." She stopped at the door and smiled. "Something tells me that he doesn't know how to be a regular Joe, and if he can't be normal, then there I've found my loop hole," she said. She walked out to her car, and I heard her start her engine and leave. I just smiled to myself and finished getting ready for work.

                                       ************

I headed off to work and smiled th entire way. James was great, don't get me wrong, but I felt that I had found the thing that was just a little odd about him.  To me, he was just too good to be true, too perfect, and something just had to give. I felt that I would crack him and I was so ready for out next date. I got to work and started working on some ground plans for a new restaurant my firm was building. I was so intetenly working that I never saw my secretary come in and set a vase of sunflowers on my desk. She stood there for quite a while before I looked up. Sh was smiling very broadly. "What?" I asked. she pointed to the flowers at the edge of my desk. I smiled and picked out the card that sat  in teh middle of the flowers. It read: 'I had a lovely night. Would love to do that again soon. James.' I put the card back and thanked my secretary. I then set back to working. I had luch with Kim that afternoon, just like we always did. I told her about the flowers and the card, adn she smiled.

 

When Faith told me about the flowers and all, I couldn't help but smile. James is the type of guy who will tell you after the first date if things seem like they could go somewhere. He never leads anyone on. If he says he'll call, he does, and from what I could see, he was becoming smitten with Faith, and I told her so. She just smiled and shrugged, acting like it was no big deal, but I could tell by the sparkle in her eyes that she was pleased. "So... when's the next date?" I asked. She shrugged. "We haven't set a date yet. But I promise you'll be to know when I find out," she replied. I smiled, finished lunch and went back to work. As soon as I walked into my office, I picked up my phone and called James. He was inside his office, adn answered the phone quickly. "So... when's the next date Jamie?" I asked him.

 

I was sitting in my office when my phone rang. I was a private, direct line that only my family and closest friends knew about. I figured it was probably Kimberly, so I picked up and said, "What's up Kimmy?" She, of course, ws all business. "When's the next date?" she asked. I smiled to myself and answered very matter-of-factly. "Kim, I don't know, but as soon as I find out, you'll bt the first to know." I could tell that that wasn't the answer that she wanted to hear. So I tried to change the subject. "So Kimmo, what did Faith say?" This started her talking. She talked about Faith saying how much fun she had had, and how she was still looking to prove me wrong. I smiled to myself. I couldn't wait for our next date. I didn't want to wow her any longer. I just wanted to relax and have fun. I had been silent for quite a while, so Kimberly asked me if I was ok. I snapped back to reality and said I was fine, but just a tad bit busy. "I'll talk to you later then Jamie," she said. "Alright, catch you later Kimmo." I said and hung up. In my head I was already preparing the next date.