When I pull into the gravel lot and cut the engine, she tilts her head at the golden sign above the door.
“Querida,” she reads aloud, testing the word on her tongue. “What does it mean?”
I glance at her, lips quirking. “Darling, Sweetheart. Or beloved. Depends on how you use it.”
Her brows lift, her smile edging toward a smirk. “Say it for me.”
I shift in my seat, turning toward her fully, letting the word roll slow and low from my chest. “Querida.”
She shivers when the syllables leave my lips, and I watch the way it lands in the widening of her eyes, making them deepen in color, light blues and grays giving way to navy and cobalt. I lean in just enough that my voice brushes the space between us. “És tão linda,” I murmur, letting the Portuguese slip out before I can second-guess it.You’re so beautiful.
Her lips part, curiosity sparking. “What did you just say?”
I grin faintly, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. “Exactly what you think I did.”
Pushing open my door, I let the night air rush in before I give away too much.
The gravel crunches under my shoes, autumn air greeting me, and I circle the car in time to see her step out. She tugs at the hem of her black dress, hair like a halo around her face, highlighting exactly what I whispered to her a second ago.
“Come on,” I say, offering her my hand.
Her fingers slip into mine, and I internally peacock at the feeling of her being mine for the night.
Inside, the place is alive but not overwhelming. The floor tile is familiar and worn, the walls lined with framed photos ofBrazil, Lisbon, and Porto, their edges yellowed by years of candle smoke.
And behind the bar, Ana spots me. Her face lights up instantly.
“Jayzinho!” she calls, already moving around the counter, wiping her hands on her apron.
Liv glances at me, brows raised. “Jayzinho?”
I brace, readying my body for the biggest hug I get outside of my family. Ana barrels into me, strong despite her small frame, and squeezes until my ribs protest.
“I haven’t seen you in months. Your mother is worried about you,” she scolds in rapid Portuguese, pulling back only far enough to swat my arm. “You need to visit her more. Are you going home the weekend after Thanksgiving?”
I groan, rubbing the spot even though it didn’t hurt. “Ana, it’s good to see you.”
Her eyes flick past me, landing on Liv, and immediately soften into a knowing smile.
“And who is this beautiful lady?” she asks, her accent wrapping around the words like a ribbon.
Liv’s cheeks flush, and my own ears mirror that pink as I answer, “This is Liv. She’s… with me tonight.”
Ana clucks her tongue like she’s already decided a dozen things about us. She takes Liv’s hands in hers, ignoring how startled she looks. “You are very welcome here, querida. Finally, someone worth bringing.”
Liv barks a chuckle. “He brings a lot of girls here?”
Ana’s head shakes, and I’m cooked before I can even defend myself. “No, he’s never brought anyone here.”
Liv’s eyes snap to mine, assessing the truth of that. I don’t deny it, there’s no need. If she sees how badly I want her, maybe she’ll start to trust that she’s wanted for the right reasons.
Ana pats her hand once more and ushers us toward the tables. “Come, come. Best seat in the house. Take her there, Jay, I’ll bring menus.”
Once Ana leaves us, Liv leans toward me, hands reaching further to mine. “Never, huh?” she whispers.
I hold her eye contact. “Never. You’re the only one I wanted to bring here.”
Liv doesn’t say anything for a beat, making me wonder if I’ve played my cards too soon, revealed too much. But then she smiles, and I’m blinded by it. “So I’m the chosen one, huh?”
