Hi everyone!

I wanted to take the time to wish you all 'Happy Holidays'! It's been a weird year but thank you for following me on this great journey.

As a little gift, I've included the first chapter of my current WIP 'Dating in the Shadows'. Enjoy!

The cosy atmosphere in the restaurant wasn’t enough to quell the alarm bells going off in Vynette’s head. There was just something creepy about this guy. Even his hazel eyes seemed cold.

“Is everything okay?”

Timothy asked the question but not an ounce of concern creased his seamless dark skin. Vynette forced a smile and nodded.

“Sure. I just need the little girl’s room.”

She was out of her seat before he could budge. Her strides were slow but steady. The restroom had never felt so far away. Once she was inside a stall, she grabbed her cell phone from her handbag. Debbie answered on the first ring.

“He’s a serial killer, isn’t he? I told you not to meet up with him.”

Vynette didn’t want to humour her friend’s paranoia but Timothy was a hard sell.

“He just might be. I need an out.”

“As in an excuse or do I need to come and get you?”

She folded her bottom lip between her teeth as she thought. Timothy was good on paper but…

“Come get me, now.”

Vynette knew better than to ignore her gut. Taking a deep breath, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was a calm mask but it was hard to miss the unease shining in her eyes. She sighed.

An ex had once told her that she carried all her emotions in her eyes. It was one of the few truths he’d ever told. She fluffed her shoulder-length curls and dragged a few strands over her face. Chuckling, she flipped them back in place.

Timothy might be weird but even he would have questions if she dumped her hair over her eyes.

“Maybe I should give him something else to look at.”

Vynette pulled the zipper on her blouse down a bit more. Her cleavage wasn’t exactly one of her standout qualities but they got the job done. Reaching into her blouse, she adjusted her pert breasts in the push-up bra. When the rounded flesh became more visible, she appraised the results in the mirror.

“It’s worth a shot.”

Timothy looked up when she approached and his eyes brightened.

“Everything all right? I was just about to come looking for you.”

Somehow she believed him. Vynette gave him a tight smile, slid into her seat, and placed her cell phone face down on the table. She bought time by taking a sip of her drink.

“Uhm…I think I’m coming down with something.”

He frowned and for a brief moment, his mask slipped. She looked away and stretched her shoulders in an exaggerated movement. It wasn’t her proudest moment but she wanted to keep him calm.

There were only a few other patrons in the restaurant and she doubted anyone would come to her rescue if things got physical. Her distraction didn’t work. He still stared at her with an intensity that could bore through metal.

“Do you want me to take you home?” he asked while leaning forward.

“No!”

Her response was more abrupt than she’d planned. Timothy raised an eyebrow. Vynette swallowed and tried to smile.

“I already called my friend. She should be here at any moment.”

He slumped back in his chair. The smile was gone. She clutched the handbag in her lap. The flap was still open so all she had to do was slowly reach in and grab the small bottle of pepper spray. As her hand inched toward the bag, her cell phone rang.

Vynette grabbed it from the table. A balm of relief soothed her growing fear.

“Deb, I’m on my way.”

To Timothy, she said, “Sorry, she’s here. Thank you for dinner.”

She fled before he could answer.