Part Eight

Leaving Grayson Global that afternoon, Peter dropped Cindy off back at Redstone with the teenager reminding Peter to dress nicely for dinner and he then took off to run some errands before returning to Redstone where he got dressed into one of his better suits when he received a message from Phoebe informing him that she, Cindy and Asa had already left for the restaurant.

Arriving at Giselle's Restaurant, a high-end restaurant located in a two-storey building that had several tables and chairs, a kitchen, a freezer, and a storage room with a second floor also has a terrace where there are more tables for the customers, Peter was escorted by the waitress to his table where he found Asa sitting by herself nursing a glass of wine and dressed in a navy-blue knee-length dress that Peter had to admit looked incredible on her.

"Asa, wow, you look amazing." Peter said as he sat himself down at the table.

"So do you," Asa said with a smile before curiously asking. "So, where are the girls?"

"I... I thought they came with you?" Peter paused and said in confusion.

"They were meant to me but when I wanted to leave they weren't ready so they said they'll come with you." Asa responded.

"Well, they weren't at the manor when I left and Phoebe messaged..." Peter said before his face turned into one of realisation. "That sneaky little... They played us. Made up that whole apology thing just so we could come here. Spend some time together."

"What? Like a date?" Asa responded. "Guess they're under the impression that we should be together just like everyone else thinks."

"I'm surprised that they never tried anything like this before." Peter commented. "But now that we are here together and we got a table and I'm so hungry, why don't we just entertain the girls this evening?"

"Ok." Asa agreed.

Placing their order with their waitress, Peter and Asa found themselves talking as they ate first about their day, then about some of the stuff their friends had gotten up to until finally their conversation ended up on Phoebe and Cindy.

"You know, I might have to thank Phoebe and Cindy for this. It's been nice," Peter admitted. "Especially to unwind with one of my closest friends in the world."

"Is that all we'll ever be, Peter?" Asa curiously asked. "Friends..."

"I didn't think you ever wanted." Peter responded.

"I didn't. I dunno..." Asa sighed and admitted. "But enough people have said it to me over the years, I guess the thought has crossed my mind more than once... Why didn't we ever try?"

"Because it would have gotten insanely complicated if it didn't work out. With the girls, with how young they were back then, our jobs, it was easier to let the situation be what it was..." Peter responded. "Is that what you want? To finally give us a try?"

"Maybe," Asa told him. "I mean, the girls are older, our situation is better and our jobs are pretty much stable and everyone else thinks we should, so why don't we?" Asa added "I mean, after the girls go off to college it'll just be us in that big old manor by ourselves. I always said once Cindy was older I would try getting out there again and getting out there with one of most decent men I know can't hurt, so I don't see any reason as to why we can't give us a try now that the girls are going off to college, can you?"

"I won't be here." Peter revealed.

"What?" Asa said in a tone of surprise and shock.

"I'm moving," Peter admitted. "The company's going really well but the London branch not so much. When we found out, I thought it would be best if I moved down there and get it sorted."

"But what about Phoebe? You were just going to leave her?" Asa questioned.

"I was going to tell you all closer to the time and well, if Phoebe's anything like I was in college, she won't need me anymore," Peter admitted. "And I'm telling you this because well, we're talking about us and I don't want to get any hopes up or mislead you..."

"So, you were just going to move and not tell anyone? Tell me?" Asa said in hurt tone.

"I was planning on telling you and the girls soon when the time was right," Peter admitted. "And you are right when you say the thought of us together has crossed my mind in the same way it crossed yours and frankly I would love to give us a chance..."

"But you're moving." Asa pointed out.

"Doesn't mean we can't try..." Peter told her.

"You and I have both had long-distance relationships in the past and they never worked out." Asa reminded Peter before sighing. "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. We've had a good thing going for eighteen years, there's no need to complicate things now."

"Asa..." Peter softly said.

"Let's just go home, Peter." Asa told Peter. “Forget I said anything.”