Shit. My face pales.Why did I ask that? Candy would never ask something like that.
Matteo arches a brow. “Are we on a date, Sunny?”
“No,” I say in a rush, shaking my head. “That’s not what I meant. I —”
What the hell did I mean?
“I’ve never brought anyone here before. I’ve only been here once before, with my mother.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah,” he says, wrapping his long fingers around his glass of water. I can’t tear my eyes away as he lifts it to his lips.I’m mesmerized at the way he tips his head back, exposing the strong column of his neck as the liquid flows into his mouth and his throat works as he swallows.
Sucking in a breath, I rip my gaze from him, and look around the room, marveling at the intricate designs carved into the crown molding. “This place is amazing. I had no idea it was even here.”
“Isn’t it? It’s hard as hell to get a reservation. They book at least a month in advance.”
I tilt my head to the side. “How did you manage to get one?”
“It’s a secret,” he says before cracking a smile. “I’m kidding. My parents know the owner. I asked them to let me know if there was a cancellation for tonight and someone ended up cancelling their reservation last night.”
“Well, aren’t you lucky?”
“I am.” His eyes seem to darken. “I’m here with you, aren’t I?”
His words steal the air from my lungs, and I find myself struggling to form any kind of response. I blink, trying to get a grip on myself.
Man, he’s good.
He can’t affect me, not like that. He’s just supposed to be helping me. This is everything I’ve been needing for inspiration.
I’m saved by our server as she appears with our salads as if I silently summoned her. “Can I get either of you anything else?” she asks, looking back and forth between Matteo and me.
He locks eyes with me, not even sparing her a glance “No, I think we’re good.”
I stare back at him, swallowing hard. “Yeah, we’re good.”
She nods with a smile and disappears from the table once again. Matteo picks up his fork, and barely glances at his plate as he pierces an apple and a piece of lettuce. His perfect lips part as he pushes the food past his straight teeth.
I allow myself the moment to take him in. Perfectly straight nose—surprising for a hockey player. Striking features. Sharp jawline. His eyes are a steely shade of gray in the dim light, but I’ve noticed the way they shimmer with flecks of blue when the candle light hits them just right.
“You’re staring, Jade.”
I shake my head to break my intense focus and bring my attention back to the present. Heat spreads through me. “Should I not?”
“I’d prefer it if you did, actually.” His tone is a little flirtatious with mischief dancing across his lips. “Perhaps it can help you with inspiration.”
I snort, the sound cutting through the tension. “You’re insufferable,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“I know,” he shrugs, his laughter mixing with mine. “I think you might like it, though.”
“Please,” I scoff, shaking my head at him. As if that’s something I’d ever actually admit out loud. “You wish.”
Matteo smiles as if he’s harboring his own secret and spears another forkful of salad. I let out another laugh, mimicking his actions as I distract myself with my own food knowing damn well, he might be right.
I think I might like it too.
The rest of dinner goes without a hitch. True to his nature, he remains flirty, but our conversation flows with ease as we dip from one conversation to the next.
