"Oh!!" I exclaimed

"I'm sorry," he said "I didn't mean to startle you like that, but I saw that you were busy and I didn't like to disturb you."

"That's ok, I guess I was in a world of my own" I said as I looked him over. Hmmmm not bad, I thought to myself. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Well actually, there is. I was wondering if I could perhaps take one of these fine cars for a test drive. I'm in the market for a new car and I've always wanted one of these" he said with a smile that made my knees go a little weak.

"Well sir, I'm going to have to talk to the manager and get permission first, seeing as this is your first time here. I'll be right back"

"Of course, I understand."

So off I went to get permission. Just as I was about to go into Mr.Roskosky's office, his secretary came up to me all excited. She was talking so incoherently I couldn't understand her.

"Cheryln, for goodness sake, would you please calm down. What on earth is the matter with you. Chill out!!! I can't understand a word you are saying."

"Don't you know who that is????" she asked increduously.

"Who , who is?" I reply

"That guy, that hunk, that MAN, whatever you want to call him. The oneyou were just talking to!!" she squealed.

"No," I answer back "why is he somebody special?"

"You honestly don't know who that is? Girl, where have you been hiding the last 2 years??? That is none other than Roy Dupuis the actor."

"Oh yeah? That's nice. Now come on , I have to go and ask Paul if he'll let him take one of the cars out for a test drive." I said as I headed into the office. As an afterthought I poked my head back out the door. "Oh and Cheryln, don't go over and drool all over him. I really need this sale and I don't want him scared away."

Paul was seated at his desk and as I walked in he looked up. "Hi Joyce, what can I do for you?"

"Well, there's this guy out here that wants to take one of the showroom cars out for a test drive. He's new here, so I thought I'd better ask you first." I explained.

"Okay, hang on, I'll be right with you." he said as he gathered his papers together. "I just have to get these to Cheryln to get in themail today." We both headed out of the office and as we did he noticed who was waiting for us.

"Oh my, I do believe that is Roy Dupuis!!"

"Yeah, that's what Cheryln said too. I take it you know of him as well??"

"Yes, I've seen a few of his movies. Mostly the french ones though. As you know my wife, Maddy, comes from a french background and still enjoys watching french movies. He's actually a skillful actor." Paul said. "In fact he even stars on a TV series that is filmed here in Canada. Anyway, let's not keep him waiting any longer." We walked over to where Roy was looking at one of the cars. A nice candyapple red Peugeot convertible, with a black leather interior.

"Monsieur Dupuis. Welcome. I understand you wish to take one of the cars for a test drive. I'm sorry that Joyce has kept you waiting!!"

"Oh no, not at all, as this has given me a chance to look over the cars and I think that I would choose to take this one for a spin, if I may."

"Of course" Paul answered. "Joyce if you would get the keys for M.Dupuis"

"Sure, no problem" I replied " Be right back" As I was heading back with the keys, I heard Roy asking Paul if I would be able to go along with him and Paul saying 'certainly' she can. Gee, you would have thought that I would have been consulted on this. Oh, hell, who am I kidding, I'd follow those green eyes anywhere. Besides the rest of him wasn't bad either!!!

"I'll just drive this out of here and if you could meet me out front we can be on our way."

"Of course." he says

I drove the car out of the showroom and Roy met me out front. He opened the door for me so that I could get out and then he took me by the arm and led me to the passenger side, where he opened the door and motioned for me to get in. Making sure that the seatbelt was secured, he leaned over me and checked it and as he did I got the scent from his aftershave.

"All set." he said as he straightened up and closed the door. He went around to his side where he just melted into the upholstery. I mumbled something incoherently as I was still affected by his closeness of moments ago and I watched his hands as he put the car into gear and we drove off. I'm not exactly clear on where we went as I was too busy watching him out of the corner of my eyes. I was just glad that he seemed to know where he was going. I know we talked a bit and then the next thing I knew we were back at the show room where he stopped the car in front of the doors and turned off the motor. He turned slightly to his right and put his arm along the back of the seat, slightly brushing his hand along my shoulder. I turned to look at him and was mesmerized again by those burning green eyes. He smiled at me and I kept thinking to myself that it was a good thing that I was already sitting down as my knees went weak."

"This is a wonderful car. Handles very nicely." he says."I think I have made my decision."

"You have?? " I ask

"Oui!" he replies "but on one condition!!"

"Oh, and what might that be?" I ask shaken. Still getting over him saying Oui.

"That you go out to dinner with me tonight."

"Dinner? Me? Oh! and if I say no???........"

"Well, I would be disappointed for sure, but I suppose I would still buy the car."

"Thank you" I said "In that case I would very much like to go to dinner with you."

"Fine. I will pick you up at 7:30 if that is suitable for you?"

"Yes, it is."

"Oh, but I will need to know where!!"

"Of course, I'm at 507 Milky Way. Oh, wait no that is my old address. I'm sorry, I just moved last week and have a hard time remembering my new address. I'm at 357 Seymour St Apt. K. It's just off of Sage Ave so you should not have any problems finding it.

I won't. Shall we go and get this paperwork dealt with then?" he asked

Yes of course. You really do have excellent taste in cars, M. Dupuis"

"Oh please, you must call me Roy"

Part Two

....Later that evening Joyce is running around trying to get ready for her date with Roy. There are boxes all over the place. Some opened, spilling their contents, and others still closed. Her box of magazines had broken open where she had dropped it yesterday, scattering them haphazardly on the floor. What a mess!! Oh well, can't do much about it now, she thought to herself. Only a half hour left to get ready. Thank goodness he said to dress casually, as she glances down and takes in her black dress jeans and boots. Hmmmm, what top to wear? she wonders as she heads to her room.

Joyce goes through her closet, rejecting first one top and then another until she finally comes to the 'perfect' choice. She shimmies the silver tank top over her head smoothing it out and tucking it into her jeans. She just finishes adding the belt as the final touch when the buzzer goes.

"Hello?"

"Bonjour Joyce. Shall I come up?"

"No, I'm ready, so I'll just come on down. Be right there."

Joyce turned and took one last look in the mirror as she headed out the door. As she got out of the elevator, Roy was standing there waiting for her. He was dressed in black jeans, black shirt and cowboy boots. The only thing missing was the hat!! He was devastatingly handsome as Joyce looked him over from head to toe, liking what she saw. Roy was looking at her appraisingly too. "I see we like to dress the same way," he says.

"Well you did say to dress casual and this is my casual. But I'm glad you approve."

"Yes, I did say that and I certainly do approve. You look delightful." he said as he took her by the arm and settled her into her seat and closed the door. He then went around to his side of the car and got in.

"By the way, where are you taking me?" Joyce asked as he pulled away from the curb.

"Well, I found this quaint little restaurant a little while back. It's actually a house that has been renovated and it is down by the lake. I thought that you would enjoy that better than going to a fancy noisy restaurant. I hope you don't mind?"

"Mind? No, not at all. That's wonderful. I like quaint. Maybe we can take a stroll along the beach after dinner."

"Whatever you wish, Cherie. I am at your service."

As they were driving along and making small talk, Joyce glanced over at him drinking in his features. Her glance lingered on his lips and she wondered what it would be like to be kissed by them. She started to fantasize about that when the car came to a stop.

"Well, here we are. I do hope you like it." Roy says as he stopped in front of a Cape Cod style house.

The house is illuminated by strategically placed floodlights and looked very homey. There were double doors for the entrance and they were flanked by windows that had masses of flowers just beneath. Roy took Joyce by the arm and escorted her up the path that led to the doors. The path was also bordered by flowers and the aroma of them just added to the ambiance.

As they stepped inside, Joyce found it was very cosy and homey. The lighting was subdued and the atmosphere very romantic. The diners were all sitting in separate alcoves with sliding doors that could be closed for complete privacy. Joyce was surprised that Roy would have brought her to a place like this.

The maitre 'd comes over to them and led them to a corner room and got them settled in before handing Roy the wine list and giving them both menus before he took his leave. This particular alcove had a bay window that overlooked the lake. The room was decorated in every shade and hue of rose with the pictures on the walls depicting children at play, done in water colours.

"Would you like to have some wine with dinner?" he asks Joyce as he peruses the list.

"MMmmm, yes, that would be nice."

"Any preference or would white be suitable?"

"White would be fine, thanks. I'm sorry to say, but red has the tendency to give me headaches."

"Fine. They do have a terrific house white here that I quite enjoyed the last time I was here." Roy says as he signaled the waiter and ordered the wine.

Joyce looked around, taking in the scene around her. Some people were here with their families and others were either dining alone or with partners. She was feeling a little nervous and she hoped that the wine would settle her nerves a bit.

"This certainly is a lovely spot. They must do very well here. It's almost like being at home. Homey yet stylish."

"Yes, it is. The last time my brother Rod was here, he brought me here. The parents of a colleague of his own this place. Their parents lived in this house and when they died, they decided to renovate and open it up as a restaurant."

Just then the waiter came with their wine and took their dinner orders. The talk turned to more general conversation and as they were finishing their first glass of wine their dinner arrived. Homemade French Onion soup with croissants, followed by Crepes Gismonda and roast beef with tiny new potatoes and glazed carrots. For dessert they had Creme Caramel.

"Oh my goodness!! I can't believe I ate all of that. I'm am stuffed."

"You do have a healthy appetite Joyce. It is nice to see. We shall just have to go for that stroll along the beach then. It is a lovely evening and we have a full moon, so seeing our way should not present too much of a problem."

"Now that sounds absolutely wonderful. I definitely need to walk this off or I won't be able to move."

They both got up and while Roy was looking after the bill, Joyce made a quick stop in the powder room. By the time she arrived back, Roy was waiting for her and they stepped out into the cool night air.

"It really is a lovely evening, isn't it?" Roy commented.

"Yes, it is. This is my favourite time of day."

"It seems as though we have that in common too, as it is my favourite time of day as well."

Roy and Joyce walked off down the beach at a leisurely pace and by the time they got back it was getting late.

"As much as I've enjoyed this lovely evening Roy, I really need to be be getting home. I have an early appointment tomorrow. I hope you don't mind?"

"Of course not. I'm sorry. I guess I lost all track of time tonight. I want to thank you again for agreeing to dine with me."

"Oh, don't be sorry! I had a wonderful time and I definitely needed that walk. I still can't believe I ate all that food, but it was really delicious."

By this time they had reached the car and Roy helped Joyce get in and then went around to his side. The ride back seemed to pass quickly and they pulled up in front of Joyce's building before she realized it.

"Roy, I really want to thank you again for a wonderful evening. It was fun for me. I can't remember the last time I walked along the beach at night."

"I'll walk you up."

"Oh, alright. Thanks."

As they reached the door to the apartment, Roy turned to her with his hand outstretched. "Your key, please."

"Oh. Oh, right. Hang on a sec." Joyce swung her purse off her shoulder and balanced it on her knee and rummaged through the clutter that was contained within. Finally, her key was found and she handed it to Roy. Roy unlocked the door and then pushed it open, and then handed Joyce back her key.