I have no idea who Alexander wants me to meet tomorrow, but I hope that the night will end with another kiss and maybe more.
Chapter 27
Alexander
“Is that her? She’s really pretty.” Alvin peers out the window of the restaurant at the beautiful woman getting out of the back seat of a black SUV.
“That’s her.” Pride swells inside of me.
Olivia isn’t my girlfriend. We’ve only kissed once. I consider us friends, but I don’t know if she does.
None of that matters because tonight she’s already garnered the approval of my nephew.
She glances at her reflection in the large wall of windows. She looks amazing in a pair of dark jeans, a pink blouse and a black blazer.
It’s casual, but it’s also sophisticated.
“Here she comes,” Alvin announces as Olivia swings open the door and walks through.
She spots me immediately. The grin on her face is evidence of that.
When Alvin rises to his feet from the bench we’ve been sitting on, her gaze drops to him.
Her smile widens even more.
I stand and approach her with open arms. I pull her close for a quick embrace. “You look stunning, Olivia.”
She steps back to look me over. Black slacks, white button-down shirt and a gray blazer. I’m still dressed in the clothes I put on this morning before rehearsal.
“I’m Alvin.” Alvin needles his way in between us.
“I’m Olivia. It’s nice to meet you.”
Alvin crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re Trey Hale’s cousin.”
Olivia’s eyes slide to my face before she settles her attention squarely on my nephew. “I am.”
“You’re lucky,” Alvin stretches the words across his tongue.
“I’m very lucky,” Olivia agrees with a sharp nod of her head.
“Your table is ready, Mr. Donato.” The hostess approaches us with three menus in her hands. “If you’ll follow me.”
Alvin takes the lead, Olivia follows and with my hand resting on the small of her back, I fall in step beside her.
***
“You played catch with Trey?” Alvin peers at Olivia across the table. “What’s that like?”
“Scary.” Olivia laughs. “It was a long time ago. He was just learning how to throw a ball.”
“I’m learning.” Alvin winds his right arm up as if he’s readying to toss a baseball. “My dad and I play catch when he’s around.”
“Alvin’s dad drives a truck,” I say to clarify. “He’s on the road a lot, but I heard that he’s coming home the day after tomorrow.”
“You heard right.” Alvin takes a bite of his chicken burger. “I’ll have three whole days with him. My mom said I get to choose what we do.”
Olivia smiles softly. “Will playing catch be one of those things?”