“Here’s your table,” the hostess said as Nero pulled out a chair for me, and she handed me the menu before doing the same to Nero once he’s sat down.
“Your server, Syd, will be here in a few. Please don’t hesitate to let me or any of the waitstaff know if you need any assistance or requests. Again, thank you for choosing to dine with us tonight, Mr. Azul,” she said, before finally leaving us alone.
Holy smokes.
I had to soak it all in for a few seconds, looking around just to make sure we’re safe before I scooted a little bit closer to Nero in our booth to whisper, “Did Siege make us a reservation at a mob restaurant?”
Because of course, I had to ask.
“No. It’s not, but your boyfriend did say you might think so because of how much of an overthinker you are,” Nero said, already looking through the menu.
“It’s a valid concern, okay? Did you not see the sign about weapons?”
I had the strong urge to roll my eyes, but I let the topic go, leaning over to look at Nero’s menu instead of opening my own.
“What are you getting? I’ll just copy you,” I said, looking at all the delicious-sounding descriptions of the dishes.
“Is that so? Then I guess we’re both getting the lobster and steak surf n’ turf, huh?”
I just stared at him like he had grown a second head as I tried to process what he was saying.
“I hope this doesn’t sound rude, but we’re seniors in high school, so how are we paying for this?” I finally asked, becausethis was Nero Combs. We’ve seen each other’s goods and bads. I know I can afford to be this honest and blunt with him.
“This is one of the Azuls’ legitimate businesses, C. We’re not paying anything thanks to your boyfriends,” he said, smirking, and god, I love that he’s not threatened by Siege and Dex’s money.
“Yeah? And you’re totally fine with that?” I asked just to make sure. “Because you know I’ll be just as happy if we eat at Jodi’s, right?”
“Who am I to say ‘no’ to a free world-class dinner? Your boyfriends may be used to the finer things in life, but don’t you think we deserve this? Fuck the one-percenters, right?”
I caught my lower lip with my teeth, trying hard not to smile, because I am one second away from jumping Nero Combs. There’s just something so hot about a practical man who doesn’t let fragile masculinity win, and I can practically feel my heart racing at the thought.
“Good evening, I’m Syd, and I’ll be your server tonight. Can I get you two anything to drink?” A man popped out of nowhere, ruining the moment, and Nero took over, making me fall in love with him all over again.
“No alcohol for us tonight, but we’re ready to order our mains,” he said, the challenge in his eyes for me to let go of my good-girl side and not cheap out with my order.
And boy, did weorder.
We got two sets of the surf n’ turf that came with a ribeye and a lobster tail, cassava chips with onion dip for the table, and even a foie gras to share just because we talked about how we’ve heard about this dish dozens of times but never tasted it. Until tonight.
“I’m so full, but it’s almost a sin that we won’t be eating dessert if it’s free,” I said with a hand discreetly pressing on my stomach as we finished all the food on our plates.
“Then let’s get some. We can’t let the rich fucks win,” he said, and I wondered if foie gras was actually an aphrodisiac or I’ve just had the hots for my guy best friend for so long that I’ve never wanted to kiss him as much as I do now.
“I’m assuming you’d want the choco mousse?”
I looked at him suspiciously, wondering how he had read my mind when I’ve been debating what to get for dessert throughout the whole meal. I was torn between that and the blueberry tarts.
“And may I know why you came to that assumption?” I asked, my elbow moving to rest on the table, my palm cupping my chin, unknowingly leaning in just a little.
It was as if my body was moving on its own to be closer to him.
“We’ve shared meals about a hundred times over the years, C. I know you get the crepes any chance you can, which is unfortunate that this restaurant doesn’t offer them. Then, you get ice cream only if it’s on a cone or it’s served in one of those tall glasses, sundae style. You get anything fruity when you feel like there might be eyes on you and you don’t want to look like you’re overeating sugar as if you want to prove them wrong that just because you’re… curvier doesn’t mean you aren’t eating right. And you order the chocolate mousse when you’re comfortable enough, not caring who will see. It might be a little bit of a reach, but I was hoping I’ve made you enjoy my company enough that you’re not wanting to get the blueberry tarts on the menu,” he said, completely reading me through and through.
“You don’t think I notice. You don’t think I paid attention to you all these years, and maybe I didn’t to the most important details like your feelings for me, but I know you. I like to think that I really fucking do.“
And that was it. That was my undoing.
I looked into his eyes, wordlessly leaning in, only to hesitate the last second when I felt his breath against my lips.
