My Shiny Knight (COMPLETE)

Chapter 3- New Opportunities

Lexi sat at a table at the coffee shop across from her apartment, filling out applications. She hadn't been back to the club since that night and had no intention of working there anymore. Being on her own, she had to find a new job, as her funds were running low and her rent would be soon due. She sipped at her tea, letting its warmth flood her body. She pulled her scarf closer as she finished the last application and put the pen down.

"Is this seat taken, miss?" a warm voice asked.

Looking up, Lexi was surprised to see the smiling face of Tristan. "Tristan," she smiled. "Sit, please sit down."

"How have you been?" he asked, a look of genuine concern on his face.

"Good, thank you. My head feels much better. How are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm well, thank you. I just finished lunch with a client and stopped to grab a coffee. This is my favorite place to go when I'm in this area. What are you up to?" he asked, peeking at her applications.

"Finding a new job," she stated, instantly blocking the thoughts of her last encounter at the club. She would never, ever go back, no matter how much she needed that money.

"Ah. Well good luck to you. I hope you find something. Something more worthy of you," he said, taking a sip of his coffee.

She blushed and got up to throw away her cup and return her completed applications. "Thank you. I'm really sorry but I need to be going, I have to return these. It was good to see you again though, Tristan." And it was. Lexi had felt comfortable in his presence during their short encounter, but she had been on edge a little lately, watching her back at every corner.

"Lexi, wait. Before you go, I have to ask. What are you doing later?" Tristan asked.

"Um, well, nothing really. I was going to get more applications after I returned these and go back to my apartment."

"Well, would you like to go to dinner with me?" he asked, his face brightened as he gave her a dazzling smile.

"Oh," she said, slightly shocked. "Um, yeah, I'd really like that." He had plagued her thoughts and dreams in the weeks following the attack and it would be nice to spend some time with him. It might calm her nerves. She felt safe in his presence.

"Great," he said, "I'll come to get you around five o'clock then?"

"Yeah, sounds good," she smiled and walked out into the crisp autumn air, feeling giddy inside.

At five o'clock sharp, Lexi heard a loud knock on her door. Practically tripping trying to get into her shoes, she stumbled to the doorway, opening it to find a very handsome looking Tristan. He gave her a thousand watt smile as she ushered him in.

"Here, these are for you," he said, pulling a small pink bouquet from behind his back.

"Oh, Tristan, these are beautiful," Lexi said, holding them close and inhaling deeply. Never had she gotten flowers from a guy before and she was utterly flattered. She pulled out a large glass and placed the flowers in some water. "There, perfect. Are you ready to go?"

"Absolutely," Tristan said, holding out his arm for her to take.

Tristan drove to the other side of town, where the streets were booming with life. He parked by the curb in front a small restaurant Lexi was unfamiliar with.

"I hope you like Italian," Tristan said, taking Lexi's hand so as not to let her trip on the curb. "This is one of my favorite places."

She nodded and they made their way inside. Once seated at their table, they quickly ordered and Lexi peeked around the restaurant. It was a small quiet restaurant and she instantly liked it. It reminded her of her childhood and the time she spent with her parents.

Their dinners soon arrived and they sat and ate quietly, Lexi indulging in the delicious food in front of her while Tristan intently watched her as he slowly ate his own food. "So Lexi, where did you get your love of Italian food from?" he asked as she placed another delicious gnocchi in her mouth.

"Well, my mother's mom actually. She was an old-world Italian woman. She made everything from scratch. When I was six, all I wanted to eat was her spaghetti and nothing else," Lexi smiled, remembering her dear grandmother.

"She sounds like a wonderful woman," Tristan said, smiling and taking another bite of his lasagna.

"She was. She was the best cook I ever knew. And she taught all her secrets to my mom and I. We would spend hours in the kitchen together," she smiled and added, "Tell me more about yourself though."

"Well, I partially own my own company, along with my dad. It was his originally and when I graduated from Harvard business school, I partnered with him and the company has really taken off. We sell automotive parts."

"Wow, that's very impressive," she said in awe.

"Hard work pays off," he said, flashing her a smile and picking up the dessert menu. He soon ordered them a brownie to share. It tasted like heaven.

The rest of dinner went smoothly, Lexi finding more and more reasons she liked Tristan and his presence.  Tristan paid, after shooing off Lexi's protests that she should pay her half, insisting that a gentleman should pay for the first date, and they walked back to Tristan's car. He put the car into drive and interlocked his fingers with Lexi's and drove off to her apartment.

Pulling up to the curb outside he apartment, he said "Lexi, if you're still looking for a job, I'm sure I could find a place for you at the company."

"Oh," Lexi said, taken aback. She had not expected this, but she did really need the money. Quickly weighing her options, she said, "Yeah, that would actually be really great. I haven't had any luck with any applications lately."

"Cool. I'll pick you up Monday morning? Say 8:30?"

"Yeah, that sounds good," she said stepping out of the car. Leaning into the open window, she smiled at Tristan. "Thank you very much for tonight. I had a really wonderful time. Something that hasn't happened in awhile. So thank you. And thank you for the job opportunity. I promise I won't let you down."

"See you Monday," he winked at her and waved goodbye as she stepped back, watching his little red car zip off into the swarm of traffic.

Hello my lovely readers! I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted an update.  I've been slammed with school work and it's been a mess.  I promise I'll try to post sooner next time, maybe this weekend.  Anyways, as always, thank you for reading!! Any likes, comments, or advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

With love,

kaynik94