“I do.” I hang up the phone and watch as Matteo gets the call. He stands and helps Mia up, but I have no plans of letting her go with him. I swoop in.
“What’s the rush? Why not stay and have a couple of drinks? Didn’t you want to check this place out?” I aim the last question at Mia.
“Can’t. Bash called. He needs me at the house,” Matteo answers.
“What an asshole. He couldn’t get any other goon to do whatever it is he needs you to do?” Mia narrows her eyes at me with suspicion.
“I can take Mia home if you need to get there sooner,” I offer, being the gentleman that I am. Matteo gives me a long look before turning to look at Mia. Some unspoken communication goes on before Mia shrugs.
“Thanks, man. It would be a big help. I’ll let Angelo know what’s going on.” He leans down and kisses Mia on the cheek, and I growl. Mia throws me a “stop” look as he heads out the door. Once he is gone, I take his seat at the table.
“Well, how unexpected,” Mia muses.
“Want to stay and have another drink or do you want to go home?”
I’m not even sure what I hope she says. The sane part of me says I should take her home, but the other part wants her to stay all night then end up in bed with me. That part can’t win. I won’t let it.
“I wouldn’t mind another drink if you pick up the tab.”
“Of course, I’m paying.” I scoff at her. I would never let her pay for anything when she is with me.
I flag the waitress down, and she has no problem trying to flirt with me. She does every time she works. Usually, I entertain it, but not tonight.
“What can I get for you, hun?”
“I’ll take a coke, and she will have a vodka and cranberry.”
As she walks away, the surprise in Mia’s eyes is evident.
“You once told me this is your favorite thing to drink. Is it not?”
“No. It is. I didn’t realize you paid attention.”
“I pay attention to everything about you, Mia.”
I watch as she shivers. “You can’t be saying those things, Lo.”
I smirk at her use of my nickname. Back to Lo. Good.
“Why not? It’s true.”
“Because this hot-and-cold act is getting old. I don’t know what way is up with you.”
I sigh. She’s right. It isn’t fair to her. I am hot and cold. I have an angel on my right shoulder and the devil on the left. The angel is trying like hell to save one of its own, while the devil says I should bring her to the dark side. I have never warred with myself so much before.
“Sorry. I don’t mean to be.”
“I know, Lo. I know.”
The waitress returns with our drinks, and we sit in silence, neither one of us knowing what to say. She turns to the stage where someone is up singing karaoke. I missed when it changed from only music to karaoke.
While she stares at the stage, I stare at her. She doesn’t bother to look my way. She sits, sipping her drink slowly. After what seems like forever, Mia finally speaks up.
“Can you take me home? I’m tired.” She gulps down the rest of her drink and places the glass on the table.
I nod and hand some bills to the waitress before escorting her to my car.
Silence engulfs the car as I heard toward her house.
