Accept Clara's suggestion to get lunch at an upscale café in the mall. Ask her about David and her comment of him being a lady's man.

"Lunch sounds perfect," you agree, clutching your shopping bags as Clara leads you toward the food court. "I'm starving."

The two of you settle on Vine & Olive, an upscale Mediterranean café with vine-covered lattice dividers between tables creating intimate dining spaces. A hostess seats you at a corner table away from the main shopping traffic.

"Two mimosas to start," Clara tells the waitress before you can object. "We're celebrating my friend's fabulous new look."

Once your drinks arrive—orange juice barely tinted with champagne—you take a small sip and decide to probe about her earlier comment.

"So... you mentioned David being 'into me,'" you begin, watching her expression. "Is he usually like that with women? Bit of a lady's man?"

Clara's lips curl into a knowing smile as she leans forward. "Oh honey, you have no idea. David's got quite the reputation. Smart, successful, and absolutely devastating in bed according to at least three women I know personally."

You nearly **** on your mimosa. "That many?"

"That I know of," she clarifies, stirring her drink with a slim straw. "He doesn't do relationships though—not since Melissa. They were engaged, then she cheated with some coworker. Since then, he's been strictly casual."

The waitress interrupts with menus, and you welcome the distraction. After ordering a Greek salad, you return to the conversation.

"So when you say he's 'into me'..."

"I mean he wants to fuck you senseless," Clara says bluntly, causing the elderly couple at the next table to glance over disapprovingly. She lowers her voice but doesn't apologize. "But here's the thing—I've never seen him this... attentive before. Those texts? The dinner invitation? That's not his usual approach."

"What's his usual approach?"

"Drinks, charm, hotel room, goodbye," she counts off on her manicured fingers. "David doesn't cook for women. He doesn't clear his schedule for them. And he certainly doesn't send those kinds of messages unless he's already slept with them."

You absorb this information, trying to reconcile it with the David you knew as Matt. Had those sides of him always existed? Or was something about your transformation bringing this out?

"You know Matt, right?" you ask carefully, testing the waters. "His flatmate?"

Clara rolls her eyes. "God, yes. Talented guy but completely unreliable. Always late with rent, leaving messes everywhere."

"Did David talk about him much?"

"Only to complain," she says, taking another sip of her mimosa. "Though he was oddly protective too. Wouldn't let anyone else criticize Matt."

Your salad arrives, and you pick at it while processing this new perspective on your former self.

"So what's your plan with David?" Clara asks, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Because that blue dress and those texts? You're playing with fire, Mia."

Before you can answer, your phone vibrates. It's another message from David: "Picked up a bottle of your favorite wine. How much longer are you shopping?"

Clara reads the text upside down and raises an eyebrow. "Your favorite wine? Has he taken you wine tasting before?"

You stare at the message, confused. How would David know your favorite wine? You don't even know your favorite wine as Mia.

"He's... guessing," you say lamely.

"Mm-hmm," Clara hums skeptically. "Well, whatever's happening between you two, I approve. It's about time David found someone who makes him this... attentive."

17:05 | Sunday 3 August 2025 | Vine & Olive Café, Westfield

[Comfort Mode Level 2] | 05:10 hours remaining

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