“Granny, I’ve got work.”
“I don’t need help, but thanks for the offer, Lucia.”
“Two people will get the job done faster.” This little old woman was relentless, much like my nana. It was no wonder they were best friends.
“My girlfriend will help me.” Where the hell did that come from?
“Ooh. Bea never said you had a girlfriend. That’s so nice. You should bring her over for dinner.” Her gaze moved to Rita. “Don’t you think? What are you making Sunday?”
Daggers were shot my way. It was better if Rita hated me, then she wouldn’t want me. Though I didn’t know what this stabbing pain in my chest was all about.
“That’s okay, Lucia.”
“No, no. You come to dinner on Sunday with your girlfriend.”
“Excuse me.” Rita was out of her chair and disappeared from my sight.
Dammit.
Why did the draw to Rita have to be stronger than my resolve?
“What’s your girlfriend’s name?”
I looked at Lucia, baffled. I blurted the first name to pop into my head. “Kira.” I shortened Shakira’s name in case Lucia recognized it.
“Oh, Kira is a pretty name.”
“Yeah…” I took a gulp of water, hoping it washed down the disgust I felt with myself.
I looked up when Rita appeared. Tension filled the room to a suffocating level. As much as it would potentially hurt both of us, I hoped she hated me and would stay away.
“Ready for seconds?” Rita asked but didn’t wait for an answer. She snatched my plate and took it to the stove.
“Sure.” What else was there to say? I watched her slop noodles and sauce onto the dish. She did it with attitude, and those goddamned pursed lips gave away her frustration. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t turn me on even more.
“There’s more if you want.” She set my plate in front of me.
I almost grabbed her by the wrist. Almost. The need to touch her was like nothing I’d ever felt. Sure I touched women when I had sex with them. But I didn’t want to hold or caress them. I wanted to plow into them with my rock-hard cock. I wanted to do that to Rita too, but it went deeper than fucking. It was the craziest shit I’d ever experienced.
Lucia talked about the recent fires up and down the state of California. I nodded and made the typical sounds to show I was interested in what she had to say. But I wasn’t.
All my thoughts revolved around Rita. Rita Rocha, who now avoided eye contact and only responded to questions in the fewest words possible.
As I finished the last bite, I was ready to go. I couldn’t take being in the same room with Rita. I wanted to confess that I didn’t have a girlfriend. But it didn’t matter. She was off-limits. I’d known she was before I moved in across the street. But here I was hours later, eating with her and Lucia. I’d always been a glutton for punishment.
“Thank you for dinner. It was delicious.” I wiped my hands on the napkin.
“You’re welcome. Rita is an excellent cook.” Lucia smiled proudly at Rita. “When you come on Sunday with your girlfriend, she’ll make something extra special.”
Rita groaned as she cleared the table. I felt bad for her, which was strange. Lucia was just as pushy as my nana.
“If she’s available, I’ll bring her.” I pushed back my chair. “I should be going. I work tonight.”
“Oh yes. Don’t want to be late for work. Thank you for coming, Nik.” Lucia gingerly stood. “I’ll tell Bea what a good boy you are.” She patted my arm. “Walk him to the door, Rita.”
“I can find it.”
“Oh no, Rita will see you out.”