Dinner progressed smoothly, and Sandra found herself laughing easily, enjoying the conversation and Derek's humor.

"I think I've talked enough about myself," she said, raising her wineglass to her lips. "Why don't you tell me about you? I'd like to hear things your mom and Michael haven't already told me." Derek resisted checking his watch, though he knew it had been well over an hour.

What the heck was wrong with Ethan? he mused in frustration, maintaining a smile. What was keeping him from calling?

Not wanting to focus on himself and hoping to stall until Ethan called, Derek subtly redirected the conversation.

"I'm pretty sure they've told you everything," he said. "But I'm still very curious about you. I'm not satisfied yet." She arched a perfectly sculpted brow.

"What more could you possibly want to know?" she drawled, eyeing him with interest.

"You're a very interesting woman, Sandra," he said, and she giggled.

"So I've been told," she replied with an easy smile.

Derek leaned back, adopting a thoughtful expression. "How did you meet Michael? How did you become friends? Was it through Evelyn?" Her smile faltered.

"Yeah. Through Evelyn," she said with a shrug.

"That makes me even more curious," Derek said. "Why did you remain friends with him after your sister ended things so badly? Shouldn't you have naturally sided with your sister?" He wanted to gauge Sandra's perception of Evelyn.

Sandra smiled, relieved she'd anticipated this question. "Well, you're right. Naturally, I'd side with my sister if she were right. But she wasn't. What she did was wrong, and I believe in fairness. Michael didn't deserve that treatment. We saw how much he cared for her, how much he loved her. She's my sister, and we were very close, but I couldn't take her side. What she did was cruel. I couldn't turn my back on him, too." Derek smiled.

"I guess you know why she did it?" Derek asked. Sandra sighed and looked away.

"She was cheating on Michael with a friend," she said. "I knew it the whole time and tried talking her out of it. I couldn't tell Michael then. On their wedding day, I overheard her telling the guy she'd visit him. She came back the next day smelling of his cologne." This confirmed Michael's story.

"You're such a wonderful soul, Sandra," Derek said. "I can't see why anyone would hate you." Sandra smiled shyly, meeting his gaze.

"Tell that to Evelyn," she said with a deep sigh. "I miss our friendship, though. She has her flaws, but I really love Evelyn."

"You love her even after what she did?" Derek asked. Sandra shrugged.

"How can I not?" she asked. "She was probably mad because she felt betrayed by my remaining friends with Michael. But it doesn't make sense for me to cut him off when she ended things, does it?" Derek shook his head thoughtfully.

After hearing Sandra's account and her support of Michael's claims, Derek believed she'd likely been involved in whatever happened six years ago, and that this might explain Evelyn's wariness.

"I never thought I'd meet a perfect woman," he said. "You're so perfect, I'm scared of ruining this." She laughed.

"Please don't flatter me. I have flaws, too." Derek raised an eyebrow.

"Can you tell me one?"

"I am"

"Hold that thought," Derek said as his phone buzzed with a call from Ethan. "I'm sorry, I have to take this." Sandra nodded.

Derek answered. "Hey! What's up?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

Ethan chuckled. "I figured I'd give you an extra thirty minutes with your wife-to-be, so you'd be happier to hear from me."

"You bastard," Derek muttered. "I'm going to make you pay. Shit! I totally forgot. Alright, I'm sorry. I'll be there shortly." He spoke the last part loudly for Sandra's benefit before hanging up.

"I'm sorry, Sandra," Derek said apologetically. "I have to run. I forgot I had to be somewhere." A flicker of disappointment crossed her face. She'd hoped to go back to his hotel and spend the night, not only because that was her plan with Michael, but also because she'd enjoyed their date.

"We didn't get to talk about you," she said, her smile coy. "Perhaps I could stop by your suite tomorrow, so we can get to know each other better?"

Derek shook his head, offering a polite smile. "I don't think we need to rush. We have more dates to come, and a lifetime to get to know each other. One thing you'll learn about me is that I take my time." He added a suggestive wink, not wanting to hurt her feelings, as he intended to keep her close.

Sandra smiled shyly. "It's okay. I understand." She was glad he'd offered an explanation and was flirting back, indicating he liked her.

"We should leave now, so we don't disrupt your plans further," she said, pushing away from the table. Derek rose.

As they left the restaurant, Sandra hoped he'd ask for her number.

"Let's do this again," he said, holding her gaze. "I enjoyed your company."

"Me too," she said with a sweet smile, wondering whether to ask for his number or wait.

As the valet brought her car, Derek held out his phone. "Do you mind giving me your number? I'd like to buy you a drink and hear more about those flaws—without my mom setting up the date," he asked. She grinned. "I thought you'd never ask." She entered her number.

Derek opened her car door. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look in that dress? Sorry it's late," he said as she got in. She giggled as he closed the door.

Derek watched with satisfaction as she drove off, laughing. He'd handled the date naturally and successfully led her on. He chuckled, certain Michael would soon hear how Derek had fallen for their plan. He just needed to keep playing along until he discovered exactly what that plan was.