“Yeah, about that. Is it safe to eat here? It looks kind of sketchy.” I peer around her, trying to get a feel for the inside.
Her brows furrow and the happy mood she was in vanishes at my question. “Does it not live up to your ‘high class’ expectations?”
Fuck. Everything was going great until I had to open my mouth. “It’s nothing against this place. I just have issues with new places in general. Especially when I don’t know what I’m walking into.”
Little does she know I’ve eaten at some horrible looking places, but the food was excellent. I’m officially an asshole. I’ve been trying to persuade this woman to look past her first thoughts and give me a chance, but yet I can’t do the same thing over a simple fucking place to eat.
She walks toward the door, and me. “We don’t have to eat here.” She’s wearing a smile, but the tone of her voice speaks volumes.
Before she’s out the door, I grab her elbow, stopping her from walking away…yet again. “It’s fine. I trust you.”
“Are you sure about that?” The flash of pain across her face surprises me. I want to know what idiot put that doubt in her mind and do anything in my power to make it better.
“Yes. If you were trying to do something horrible to me, I think you’d come up with something more creative than food poisoning. Especially since you’re hungry, too.” Right? What kind of person would also eat something they intend to harm another person with?
"If I didn't want to be here, or with you, I wouldn't have agreed to the date." She pulls her arm out of my grasp, and heads back into the restaurant. I hurry behind her to keep from insulting her.
Is she always this temperamental? I want to say no, but whoever she dated before must have done a number on her. She's leaning on the hostess stand, waiting for her to show up. "So, what would you recommend that I get?" It's a simple question, and one that hopefully won't spark a debate.
"They have pretty much everything an Italian restaurant would normally have, but I'm still in the mood for pizza. And their pizza is to die for."
I'm a little intimidated that she knows of great restaurants in a town she doesn't even live in. I'll take her word for it though, and I'll get the pizza. It's the least I can do after the way I've continuously stuck my foot in my mouth.
A short older lady emerges from a door I assume leads to the kitchen, and as soon as she sees Serena her face lights up. "How have you been Rena? I can't remember the last time I saw you. Are you still doing the long flights?"
Serena hurries to the woman and wraps her up in a hug. "It's been too long, Marie. And, no, I'm doing mostly US flights right now."
"Where's Hazel? She's usually attached to your side." Marie leans around Serena, spotting me, and lifts an eyebrow. "I see you've traded her for a man friend. And a good-looking one at that."
Serena turns toward me and her cheeks are a rosy shade of red. She gestures toward me and says, "This is my friend, Bentley." I don't miss the way she emphasizes friend. I have a new goal, now. Make her refer to me as more than a friend by the end of today. It won’t be easy, but I’ve never been one to back down from a task.
“Hi, Marie. I’m Bentley.” I hold out my hand to shake hers.
She waves me off and wraps her arms around me. “Around here, we hug. Especially when it’s a friend,” she rolls her eyes at the word, “of one of our favorite people.”
“You remind me a lot of my mom.” That slipped out of my mouth without my permission. That’s a great way to portray myself…as a mama’s boy. “She’s a hugger, too.” Maybe that will explain it away. But she reminds me of Mom. She’s so welcoming and gives people chances over and over again. She sees the good in everyone, even if they aren’t all that great.
“I like you already.” She points toward the dining area, “Sit anywhere you want Rena. We don’t have many other guests and we’re light on staff today. One of the girl’s had a birthday party last night, and I think half the crew went. Needless to say, they’re all feeling pretty horrible today.”
“Thank you, Marie.” Serena turns toward the tables set off to the side and doesn’t wait to see if I follow her.
I’m happy she picked this place. Even though it doesn’t look like much from the outside, it has the same vibe as some of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Austin. You feel like you’re at home amongst family. A part of me wonders if I’ll ever be allowed to call the woman in front of me “Rena”. It seems like a name she only lets a select few call her. I don’t even think Hazel calls her by that name. At least she didn’t the few times I’ve seen them around each other.
Serena picks a table next to a window, and it’s refreshing being able to sit out in the open without worrying about photos being taken, or people interrupting our lunch. I should have put more trust in Serena before making an ass of myself.
Marie comes over as soon as we are situated, “What would you like to drink?” Serena orders a coke and I ask for water. While I’m a huge binge snacker in the off season, I’m relatively healthy when I know I have to be out on the court.
As soon as Marie leaves the table, Serena is my only focus. “How long have you been coming here to gain such an adorable nickname? Did you used to live here, or something?”
She scrunches her nose at my questions, but doesn’t answer them right away. Maybe this is too personal for her and she doesn’t want me to know. Marie comes back with our drinks and sets them on the table, winking at me before she returns to her tasks. Serena takes a sip of her coke and finally answers me.
“She is the only person who calls me that. I’m not a big fan of nicknames and the only reason she gets away with it is because she’s the sweetest woman I know.” Grabbing the napkin from the edge of the table, she tears small pieces off. I make her nervous. “And I’ve never lived here, but when I first became a flight attendant, I flew into Chicago, a lot. I found this place one time when I got lost and I come here anytime I’m in the area.”
“So, you’re practically family now?”
She jerks her head back. “How do you know that?”
“If she’s anything like my mom, she never meets a stranger, and feels like it’s her job to mother anyone she comes into contact with.”
