I stood and caressed his arm, clasping his free hand. “Everyone, this is my boyfriend, Angel.”
He presented the bouquet to my mother. “Nice to meet you again, Mrs. Silver. I can see where Tori gets her beautiful smile.”
Mom gaped at us. “H-he… You just…”
“Took your order? Yes. And how’s the food been?” he asked with charming cadence.
“Good?” Her eyes glazed over as if she was trying to remember the meal in front of her amid this new information.
“Everything’s excellent,” Kat embellished.
“Glad to hear it,” Angel said.
Mom narrowed her eyes. “Is this a prank? Are you all playing a joke on me for revenge?”
“No, although we were a bit sneaky about it,” I said, leaning into my boyfriend.
My sister grinned and raised her phone. “I should be filming this. Your face is hilarious.”
Mom pushed the camera away. “Stop that.”
Angel squeezed my hand. “I’ll go get the takeout boxes and dessert menus to give you a moment to digest.”
“Thanks.” I kissed him—just a brief peck—on muscle memory.
Mom gasped as if I’d just mounted him on the table. “He’s your boyfriend?”
“Yes." I grinned.
"She just said that," Kat chided.
Angel chuckled and sauntered off to check on his other tables.
“He seems nice enough, I guess. A charming young man. How did you two start dating?” Mom asked.
I shrugged and turned as he approached a table with a few other waiters for a birthday song. But my insides glowed way brighter than the candle when he smiled at me.
“He and his really good cake just kinda snuck up on me.”
Chapter twenty-six
Confession
After work, Angel and I made dinner at his place, and for dessert, I fed him some of my leftover cake on the couch.
“Thanks again for being so good about meeting my mom,” I said.
“It was fun. And I got a generous tip,” he said, licking his lips. “We can put it toward our first real date.”
“Aw, you’re sweet.” I kissed the corner of his mouth. “But you don’t need to take me out. I know you’re busy.”
“Not too busy for you. Besides, I want to.” He yawned and stretched.
He wanted a date with me over more sleep? Maybe he cared deeper than either of us would admit to.
“What do you wanna do?” I asked, nonchalantly dragging my fork through the frosting.
He nudged my foot with his. “I’d like to take you dancing.”
