I was nervous as fuck, and though I tried to hide it from Gabriel, I failed miserably.
“First time on a date since you were released?”
The black car sat idling, and Gabriel walked out in front of me to scan the street. Even though I was readying myself for a date, I couldn’t help noticing how damn hot he looked in his black suit and blue-and-white striped button-down. Dark hair curled at the base of his strong neck, and his broad shoulders shifted under the jacket. I couldn’t decide which I liked better—the relaxed Gabriel in sweats and a T-shirt, or the dressed-up one. I rubbed my eyes, mentally slapping myself for lusting after one man when I was about to meet another.
I thought back to Ben, the guy I’d almost had sex with, and what a crazy disaster that could’ve turned out to be. This time I vowed to keep my head on straight, along with my clothes.
“Yeah. First date since. I figured pizza and beer would be a good start. And if we get along, we could have a walk by the river afterward and talk.”
“And he knows I’m there?”
I’d told Seth about Gabriel, and though I could tell he was a little surprised, he understood and was cool about it. As a private-client banker, he was used to dealing with people who had lots of money and the problems that came along with it.
“Yeah, he’s fine with it.”
The car took the curve off the Brooklyn Bridge and pulled up in front of Juliana’s on Front Street, one of several coal-oven pizza places that had popped up in Dumbo. I left the Uber and spotted Seth waiting out front. He’d said he’d be coming directly from work, and he was wearing his suit and tie. Slim and a little shorter than me, Seth had given me interested signals from the start, and once I’d hired Gabriel and felt more comfortable, I’d reciprocated in the flirting whenever I saw him. A week earlier he’d asked me out.
“Seth, hey.”
He turned around and smiled, but his attention immediately focused on Gabriel, who stood several steps to my side.
“Hi.” Seth leaned in and kissed my cheek, and I let him, his familiarity taking me by surprise. “There are people waiting,” he said, “but it’s been going fast.”
“I don’t mind. It’s a nice night.”
As predicted, the line moved swiftly, and Seth and I were soon sitting at a table for two. Gabriel sat at his own table close by, and though we’d discussed earlier that he was free to eat, he’d insisted on having dinner beforehand.
“I’m there to concentrate on you, not a meal.”
Still, I felt bad and couldn’t help sneaking a few peeks to where he sat, his attention shifting from the door to me.
“Hey, I’m over here.”
Seth waved his hand at me, and I gave him a sheepish grin. “Sorry. What do you want to eat?”
A server appeared, ready to take our order.
“How about pepperoni?” Seth asked.
“Sounds good. I’m gonna have a beer too. A Stella if you have?”
“No problem.”
Seth wrinkled his nose. “I’ll have a glass ofsauvignon blanc.”
She hurried off, and we sat facing each other.
Seth took a sip of his water. “So, tell me how it’s been going for you.” He leaned closer, and I could see the golden bristles of his evening scruff. “Why do you need a bodyguard?”
“Well…I’ve had some threats and stuff happen to me since I got released. It made me afraid to walk outside and even open my mail. Someone sent me an exploding package that shot ink all over me.” I still got nightmares about it, and Gabriel was careful to open all my mail and packages now.
“Really? That’s nuts. I mean, you did your time. What more do people want?”
Warmed by his acceptance, I took a drink from my beer. The server set our pizza between us, and it smelled so good, I couldn’t help but chow down on a slice right away. Seth took one too and nibbled on it.
“I thought that would be the case, but it looks like some people didn’t get all their money yet. I can understand them being upset, especially when they have health problems. I’m looking into seeing what I can do about it.”
Seth drank from his glass, and we each ate a few more slices.
