“It’s fine.” Jules shakes her head. “No worries on my front. Nico and I have been together for years, and I’d still stab any woman’s eyes out if she was checking out my man.” She tips her head. “Let me take you to your table.”
“Thank you, Jules. Is Nico here?” I glance around the busy restaurant. All the tables, but a few, are full. It’s one of the more popular Italian restaurants in town.
The scent of oregano and sausage fills the air along with the clinking of wine glasses as customers randomly toast each other or return their drinks to the pristine white tablecloths.
“No, he’s upstairs with the kids. Ryder is down with a cold, so they’re staying away from the customers.”
We settle into a cozy table for two with a glowing candle centerpiece. The light flickers across Natalie’s face. If it’s possible, she’s even more beautiful. “Tell him I said hello, and we’ll have to get together some time.”
“Sounds great.” She nods to both of us. “It’s good to see you and to see you with a date.” She winks at Natalie. “Have a delightful evening. The Shrimp Puttanesce is the special tonight, and it’s divine.”
Once we’re alone, I grab Natalie’s hands and lace them through mine. “You’re jealous?”
“Shit. It’s probably going to bite me in the ass to admit it, but yes, I am.” She shakes her head as she studies me. “When we were in high school, you were cute. Now…” She shudders. “You’re hot as sin. Why wouldn’t other women come on to you?”
“Because I’m with you.”
“But I don’t have any claim on you. You can go out with whomever you want.”
“No. I can’t.” I place the back of her hand against my lips. “I’ve always belonged to you, and that’s never going to change.”
“Damn you.” Her eyes fill with tears. “You’re making me want to lose the bet, and we just got here.”
“I’m not going to tempt you anymore.”
“A fat lot of good that does. All you have to do is sit there and look sexy.”
I waggle my eyebrows and flex my pecks.
“Shit. You’re ridiculous.” She giggles uncontrollably until the couple next to us turns and stares. “Oops.”
The balding man with a comb-over glares at us. Apparently, we’ve interrupted his perfect meal. Whatever, dude. Live a little. His wife tilts her head and her lips part. The hint of desire in her eyes is clear. Ah, the wandering eye. No wonder he looks so pissed off. I dismiss them and return my attention to Natalie.
“Sorry.” I grin and release her hand. “What do you want to eat?”
She sobers and places her hand in her lap. She doesn’t acknowledge the woman’s perusal of me. That’s a good sign. She’s starting to believe my feelings for her have never wavered.
“The special sounds great.”
“Two specials it is.”
After the waitress takes our order, I lean back in my seat. It creaks gently under my weight. “Tell me about school.”
“I didn’t go the first year I was with Gram. When I was finally able to get out of bed without being depressed, I started working two jobs.”
My hands ball into fists. Relax. I take a couple of deep mouthfuls of air. The need to go back in time and ease her suffering is intense, but I can’t. “Where did you work?”
“I had a job as a waitress in the evenings and on the weekends. And I worked in an office during the day as a receptionist.”
“How was the pay?”
“Not good.” She shrugs. “But it helped with Gram’s bills. We went on like that for a couple of years, and then, I started college.” She shrugs. “It was only a few hours here and there, so it took forever.”
“I’m proud of you.” Shit. I went on a full-ride scholarship and didn’t have to work but for spending money. Fuck. My life’s been blessed, and hers has been filled with hardship.
“Thank you.” She picks at her fingernails. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Yes, it is. Natalie, I had a full ride and worked ten hours per week. I kind of feel like an entitled prick sitting here.”