Hayden and I had managed to talk at the studio for a few moments, uninterrupted.

"I'm not very familiar with some of the restaurants here in town, so you name the place....I'll take you anywhere you want to go," Hayden said.

I shrugged, "Do you like Italian?"

Hayden grinned, "oh yeah, most definitely!"

I suggested the Olive Street Bistro. It was an excellent restaurant that I had only been to a couple of times - exquisite menu and wonderful service.

He and I agreed that he would be at Mandy's to pick me up around 7:30pm.

I ran to her place in a flurry, showering and contemplating my outfit yet again.

Mandy was eating take out, standing in the bathroom doorway and smirking at me as I was applying my makeup.

"Aww, I feel like I'm a proud parent-- the first date!"

I rolled my eyes and continued to apply my eye makeup.

"Where are you guys going anyway?"

I explained to her about the restaurant choice.

"Awesome," she said brightly.

I looked at her in the mirror, "and please...do not tell Josh or anyone alright? At least for now..."

Mandy gave me an innocent look, "of course."

I tried to look at her skeptically but instead found myself grinning.

A little after 7, I was finished, my look complete -- or at least as complete as I would get...

I was wearing a black dress and had pulled my hair up.

"You look gorgeous!" Mandy exclaimed with a grin.

I felt like a teenager getting ready to go on her first date -- it was ridiculous and liberating at the same time...this was the first time I had had those 'butterflies' in years -- I had really missed those butterflies.

A soft knock on the door caused me to jump, showing how truly nervous I really was and causing Mandy to stifle her laughter.

I walked to the door and opened it to find a grinning Hayden, looking absolutely gorgeous in a nice hunter green shirt with khaki pants.

He raised his eyebrows when he saw me, "you look stunning."

I smiled, looking down and feeling very shy all over again.

He said hello to Mandy and soon we were off to the restaurant in Hayden's rental SUV.

During the drive, he told me about his family and asked about mine.

Soonafter, we got to the restaurant and were seated promptly. Hayden had made reservations but the giggling hostesses who recognized him didn't hurt our purpose either....

We sat down at an elegant table with candles.

"I hope this meets your requests, Mr. Christensen," the hostess said.

Hayden smiled and nodded, "its great, thank you."

We began looking at our menus and Hayden ordered a bottle of wine.

"Great recommendation, this restaurant is terrific," Hayden commented.

I smiled, "I hope so -- you haven't had the food yet though....hopefully you will like it."

Hayden smiled, "oh I'm sure I will."

We shared the bottle of wine, laughing and talking. He told me stories about his brother and sisters and I shared stories about my family -- things were so much more at ease now -- conversation flowed freely and continued through the meal.

"This alfredo is excellent," Hayden said after tasting his dish.

I smiled, "I love alfredo." Hayden had me try a bite of it and I agreed, it was wonderful.

"I didn't know anyone could come near my mom's, but this comes close," Hayden said. He asked if I liked my spaghetti which was delicious. He was so attentive and sweet, I'd almost forgotten how it could be to have someone like that....

We were quiet for a few moments until I spoke up.

"Ya know, shooting will be over before you know it," I said.

Hayden got a dejected look at that statement, "I know -- time goes by so quickly....Joby thinks we'll be here until at least late April though - he's thinking about adding scenes."

I looked at him in surprise, even I hadn't heard this yet --

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah...I'm glad though - I have really enjoyed being here....it will be hard to leave," Hayden said looking at me.

We continued our meal and polished off the bottle of wine.

We decided to take a walk around the area after dinner. It was a little chilly but it was such a beautiful, clear evening. Hayden insisted that I take his jacket so I wouldn't get cold walking around in the cool air.

We were walking down the sidewalk looking at some of the quaint buildings in the district when Hayden reached for my hand and laced his fingers through mine.

I looked up at him and smiled.

He stopped walking at that moment, putting his arms around my waist.

"I'm having such a great time with you tonight," he said, looking down at me.

I could smell his cologne, a light but very attractive scent as I leaned into him, "me too. This evening has been great."

He tipped my face to his and kissed me. A very sweet and gentle kiss - absolutely perfect.

He pulled away and smiled at me.

After a moment, we continued walking down the street. The area seemed very quiet tonight - just a few people out and about.

"So, what are you doing after the film wraps?" he asked after a moment.

"That's a very good question....I have no idea."

Hayden nodded in understanding, "life in this business huh?"

"Yeah -- work isn't always regular and it never seems to be secure....at least not for us little people," I said jokingly.

Hayden shook his head and smiled, "hey, its never a guarantee for any of us..."

I nodded. "...and what about you? What do you have planned after the shoot?"

"Well, I'm glad that I actually don't have anything lined up because I'm doing a car rally in early May, pretty much right after we wrap....I was concerned that I wouldn't have the time off to do it this year because its usually later in the summer...."

"Car rally?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

Hayden got a sheepish look, "yeah...a rally -- politically correct for racing, sort of."

I grinned and shook my head, "alright..."

Hayden grinned too, "No, its great. It's for charity - it spans over a week and you get to drive these phenomenal cars on the route and you stop in a different town each night but you never know where you're going to end up until you get there...its awesome!"

I grinned at his enthusiasm - he looked like a little boy talking about his Christmas presents.

Hayden got a look at that moment. He furrowed his eyebrows in contemplation and looked at me.

I noticed and couldn't help but smile. "What? What are you thinking?"

Hayden shook his head and smirked. "I was wondering....since you don't have anything lined up after wrap-and assuming you could clear a week in your schedule....would you like to come along, ya know - be my co-driver?"