Fiona’s eyes lit up when she saw they had what she wanted.Vinceordered a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and corn bread.
“I didn’t take you for a barbeque fan,”Vincecommented as they looked for seats. She knew instantly where he would want to sit, having eaten out withJoaquínseveral times since he enlisted. She headed straight for the back corner, givingVincethe wall row so he could look out into the restaurant while she settled across from him.
“My friend David and I get it once a month.” She leaned forward to whisper, “Don’t tell my mother.”
Vincebarked with laughter. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love my mother dearly but all she makes are Puerto Rican dishes. Which are amazing,” she quickly defended.
“Fiona, stop. I’m not judging you for wanting to eat other kinds of foods.”
Fiona sighed.Vinceunderstood what she was poorly trying to say. Her mother was a traditionalist and set in her ways, trying to keep the old ways alive. All her sisters had followed her example, allowing her parents to choose their spouses and gain their blessings. They lived close by and ate at home quite frequently.
Fiona wanted to break from that tradition. She wanted to do something more with her life. To be able to make her own choices. Deciding to move to Texas was huge and she didn’t know the first thing she needed to do. She would need to find a job and a place to live, but she didn’t know how to look for an apartment.
Savannah would help her; she had no doubt. Fiona would call her tomorrow and start making arrangements. With a new phone number and a new life, her stalker would finally move on. Only a select few people would know she was living here, even when she told herself it was temporary. This was her chance to start brand new.
“You have the most expressive face,”Vincenoted.
“Oh yeah.” Fiona ducked down, focusing on her food so he didn’t see her blush.
“Don’t hide.”
Fiona’s eyes shot up.
“I love seeing your face and every expression that crosses it. I don’t have to guess what you’re thinking. Your face tells it all.”
Good to know. There would be no hiding anything from him. Good thing she didn’t make it a habit of keeping secrets. “And what is it saying now?” she boldly asked, staring him straight in the eye. Fiona tried to keep her face neutral, thinking of something different than what she was really thinking.
“That you want me to take you back home and fuck you,” he said before taking a bite out of his sandwich.
Fiona stared at him speechless. Not because he was wrong, because he wasn’t. But because he said that out loud for anyone in earshot to hear. She looked around to see if anyone was looking at them, but no one seemed to be paying any attention.
“Tell me I’m wrong.”Vincehad a devilish look in his eyes that dared her to deny it.
“You’re not, but you don’t have to say it so loud,” she whispered loudly.
“Why? Any guy would be jealous I’m going to go home with you.”
“Excuse me,” a woman sitting at the table next to them said. “We’re out of paper towels. Could we use some of yours?”
Fiona glared at the fake blonde with even faker boobs leaning over to askVince. The woman’s dress was pulled low. It was like the department store lady all over again. Only this time, Fiona wasn’t going to stand for it. He was her man, and women better start noticing that.
“Here.” Fiona grabbed a wad of paper towels and tossed them in front of the woman.
The woman blinked several times, looking astounded by what just happened, before resuming her meal.Vincekept his head down, but Fiona didn’t miss his shoulders shaking. The man was laughing at her. “Come on, Daddy. You ready to go?”
“Yeah.”Vincestood, not even glancing in the blonde’s direction as they walked away. He just earned brownie points for that.
Was it always going to be like this? Women coming on toVince, even right in front of her? She had no doubt it would happen again.Vincewas a handsome man. She wasn’t worried he’d stray, but she was still far from his normal type.
“Stop thinking,” he told her, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her close. “There’s no reason to be jealous.”
“I’m not,” Fiona said quickly. Too quickly.
“I don’t want any other woman but you.”
But for how long? How long would she be able to keep his attention? Could a womanizer settle down with just one woman? Was she enough?
