I chuckle as I head out of the staff room and grab my last table’s dessert. Once I deliver it, I head over to the side station and begin my clean up. Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I look over to Izzy who is standing by the front door doing her own clean up. It’s obviously not her texting me.
I pull my phone out and smile.
Lo.
His name shows up on my screen, and I’m sad that I don’t have a photo to accompany it.
Lo: How is your day, mio piccolo angelo?
My heart warms at his words. Maybe my plan is working.
Mia: Okay. It could be better though.
I smirk at my response. I’ve never been good at flirting, but maybe I learned a thing or two from TV.
Lo: Oh yeah? How could it be better?
He played right into my hand.
Mia: I’m in desperate need of something. Something only, you can give me, Lo.
His response is instant.
Lo: We shouldn’t, Mia. I want to, but we shouldn’t.
Part of me is hurt because he’s saying no, but I also realize what else he said. He wants to.
Mia: What do you think I’m talking about, Lo? I only want some Mexican food from Manhattan. I’m not allowed to leave the city without you.
I hurry up and finish cleaning as I await his response. Thirty minutes goes by and no response comes. Maybe I upset him.
“I’m all finished,” I tell Sofia as I sit at a table and take out my phone. I’m about to text back when I feel his eyes on me. I don’t even need to look up to know that Lo just walked into the restaurant.
“Can I sit with you girls?”
Sofia laughs. “Of course, Lo. What are you up to tonight? I can have Eddie whip you up your favorite.”
I finally look up, and he gives me a smile. I feel my cheeks burn as I think about all the thoughts that ran through my head today. There’s heat behind his eyes as he focuses on me.
“No. I think I’m going to take Mia to eat some Mexican up in Manhattan.”
I can feel the surprise on my face. I didn’t expect him to agree, especially after he didn’t respond.
“Mexican? How lucky. Now I want Mexican. Maybe Bash can have one of the guys go fetch me some.”
“If you asked Bash to get you the moon, he would find a way to shoot it out of the sky. Mexican food seems pretty simple in comparison.”
She laughs at my response. I mean it though. Bash is so head over heels in love with her that I would bet he would cut out his own heart and hand it to her if she wanted it. She’s his number-one priority. It’s obvious to all of us who are close to him. He adores her.
“You might be right. Anyways, get out of here. I’ll make sure Izzy gets home safe. Matt should be in soon. He can give her a ride.”
“Thanks, Sof.”
She gives me a quick hug before whispering in my ear. “Better have him work all the tension out of you tonight.” When she pulls back she gives me a sly smirk, then gives Lo a hug.
Lo walks out the door first and looks around to make sure it’s safe. Then he helps me into the car before telling my guard where we’re going.
“Does he have to follow?” I ask him as soon as he slides into the car.
