Faery Godlover

“Thank you. Did you visit my Instagram by chance?” she was curious. Her circle of friends was limited and she didn’t remember giving any photo to a stranger lately. Certainly, her friend Lilly wouldn’t peddle her picture without her permission.

“Oh. Sorry, I don’t do social media. My work occupies most of my time. My friend set this date for me.”

“Who? Is it Duada?” Instinctively, she looked over her shoulder to where the fae prince was standing. Duada shook his head and vanished with a glimmer.

Hayden craned his neck, looking at the direction she was glancing. “Who? Something in there?”

Well, obviously, he couldn’t see Duada. Jasmine decided to let the matter drop. “It’s nothing. I thought I saw a spider.”

Hayden laughed quietly. “I’m not fond of spiders either. Are you ready?”

“I guess. Where we’re going?”

“Spanish Tavern. Hasn’t Milla told you?”

“Who’s Milla?”

“My friend who set this up. Aren’t you Milla’s friend from Princeton?”

“No, I’m sorry. Actually, my friend is the one who set this up. He must know Milla.” Though, she doubted Duada did this in a conventional way. He must have used his magic to make this date happen. She’d have to ask Duada the next time she saw him how he’d managed to find this guy.

“Ah. That explains it. Well, we should go now.”

Hayden drove a gleaming black new model Porsche. When Jasmine observed him closer, she noticed that he was swathed from head to toe in designer labels. His nails were buffed and carefully manicured and a gold Rolex circled his wrist. He told her casually that he managed a lucrative and highly profitable hedge fund firm and that he split residence between Manhattan and Newark. He worked four days a week in his posh office in Broad Street before retreating to his Newark family home in an upscale neighborhood in Alpine for a long weekend.

“My mother’s health is quite frail these days, and I’d like to spend as much time with her as I can. Since my father passed away last year, she hasn’t been quite herself.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Are you an only child?”

“No,” he said with a smile. “I have an older sister who lives in Singapore. She visits us four times a year, depending on her workload. Milla told me you’re an only child, am I right?”

“Ah, yes. But my parents and I aren’t close like your family.”

“Oh? How so?”

“It’s just the way we are, I guess.” Jasmine thought of her parents who lived their glorious retirement life. They sent postcard each month from places where their boat docked. Their messages were loving, but concise.

“To each their own.” His tone dripped with sympathy.

“I agree.”

They chatted easily, but Hayden dominated the conversation. He had been an overachiever since he was a child, and for him to reach this level of success at such a young age, Jasmine guessed he had a lot to brag about. But other than that, Hayden had been a perfect gentleman. His good looks earned her envious glances from women in the restauran

t and his excellent table manners didn’t embarrass her like one of her dates in the past.

Hayden drove them smoothly through town to the elegant eatery where their dinner reservation waited. The bistro served traditional Spanish cuisine and the delicious scents of garlic and saffron wafted from the kitchen. Hayden asked her if she’d let him order since he frequented this place quite often. She nodded primly, unsure of what to make of the menu.

He ordered their dinner with pairing wine, impressing Jasmine again with his knowledge of wine. When she said so, Hayden confided that he had always wanted to grow the best vines in Napa and make his own signature vintage when he retired. Hayden asked the waiter for the check. He refused when Jasmine offered to pay her half.

“It’s my treat. I’m the one who choose this place.” Hayden winked. “You can take care of dinner for our next date.”

Next date? So there would be the second date? With this guy?

Whoa. Usually her blind dates always ended up in disappointment. She must give Duada kudos for setting this one up.

Out of nowhere, Jasmine felt the urge to yawn, but she stifled it, hoping Hayden hadn’t noticed.

“I hope you’re not tired yet. The night still young.”