Knock.
A knock on the door put a halt to my thoughts. My eyes darted between the door and Luca. Then again. The smirk on his face told me everything I needed to know.
“Did you lock the door?”
“Yeah. I didn’t need any interruptions.”
“They’re going to think we’re in here screwing.”
“I don’t give a fuck what they think and if you want to make it happen so their chatter isn’t in vain, we still have time.”
“Goodbye, Luca.” I tittered.
Stepping backward, he nodded. “Seven.”
“Seven,” I repeated.
I watched from afar as he put more and more distance between us. He was dressed in a pair of red Nike shorts with a white shirt to match. He wore a thick chain around his neck and a watch on his arm that looked like it cost a pretty penny. It reminded me of the bracelets I’d left with him after our night at the bar.
“Can I have my bracelets back?” I teased.
“When you bring your ass back out here and take my order.”
“I’m coming,” I assured him as he turned and unlocked the door.
I wasn’t surprised to see that it was Baisleigh who’d come knocking to see if I was alright. She probably wasn’t expecting to see Luca when the door finally opened, but when she did, I didn’t miss the smile that followed.
“Luca! I didn’t know you were home.”
“Shit, not too many people do. I like ya spot. I’m ’bout to see what this food talking ’bout.”
“It’s so good to see you, and the food is everything they’ve said it is. You’ll love it. Tell your mother I said hello.”
“I will. On the way to see her as soon as we leave here.”
She moved out of the way so that Luca could exit while I considered the ways they might know each other. Before I could fix my mouth to ask, Baisleigh was standing in front of me.
“Everything alright?”
“Yes. He wanted to ask me on a date,” I admitted, palming my face because I couldn’t believe he’d come to my job. “Well, tell me he’s taking me on a date.”
“Go.”
“Huh?” My head popped up as I questioned her.
“Go. He’s one of the good ones, Ever, and you don’t want to let him slip away. His brother, Laike, now that’s a different story.” She rolled her eyes as she said his name.
“You and Laike?” I chuckled, not believing my eyes.
“Um hmm. As teenagers, though. He was my first, honey. I don’t regret it, but I’m so happy I have that out of my system. That dick was hard to let go of. I was still fiending for it and giving it up to him well into adulthood, but I’ve been delivered for the last six years, and I ain’t going back.”
“How do you guys know each other?”
“We lived on the same block. Our parents still do.”
“It’s such a small city.”
“Very. Anyway, don’t stand the man up. Make sure you enjoy yourself and spare no expense. His pockets can stand it.”
