After that course is done, we have to wait a bit for the entrée. Billy ordered us a bottle of white wine that tastes so good, it could be my drink of choice. I’m afraid to ask how much it is, though. I’d best stick to Miller High Life. It’s the champagne of beers, after all.
“So, how’d I do?”
“Do?” I ask, looking confused.
“How’s our first date going?” Oh, my goodness. He looks a little nervous asking that question.
“Without a doubt, this is the best date I’ve ever had, and it’s not because of the food—although, the food is amazing. It’s because of the company.” I raise my glass. “To our first date.”
“To our first of many,” he says, clinking his glass against mine. “I feel the same about your company too, JoJo. I feel so comfortable around you. I feel like I could tell you anything, my secrets, and you’d keep them without judging me.”
Setting my glass down, I lean over the table. “Secrets? You’ve got secrets? Do tell.”
He chuckles. “Not right now. Nothing terrible. I’ve never been to prison or anything.”
He sips his wine as I reply, “Too bad. I like ex-cons.”
Billy begins to choke on his sip and has to cover his mouth with the cloth napkin.
“Just kidding.”
When our entrées are delivered, I’m a little sad I offered to share my steak, it’s so damn good, but I do as promised. He shares his sea bass with me. Everything is perfect. My date, this meal, the restaurant.
“Don’t forget to save room for dessert.”
After looking over the dessert menu, my mouth waters. I want one of everything. “Let’s do the same with dessert. Let’s share.” He agrees, so we order the cheesecake and the triple chocolate assortment. “My God,” I say, biting into a small chocolate cake. “I love this place.”
“I’m glad you like it.” He smiles at me, and I smile back at him, knowing full well I’ve got chocolate in my teeth. He’d better get used to it.
“Well, well well….”
Startled, we both look toward the voice. My sister’s voice. “Gisele.”
“Aren’t you two cozy?”
“Gisele,” Billy says warningly. “Not here.”
“What?” She smirks. “I saw my sister was in the neighborhood.” She turns to me and rolls her eyes. I hate when she does that. “Of courseyou’dpost food on Insta.” Then, she says something completely uncalled for only loud enough for me to hear. “Slut.”
“Hey!” I say a little too loudly. “I’m not a slut.” Far from it.
“Could have fooled me.”
“Let’s go, Billy.” I begin to stand, but Gisele moves in closer, crowding me until I’m forced to sit back down.
Hissing like a freaking icky snake, she says, “You need to watch your back, slut.”
“Or what? You gonna get something sharp and cut up more of my clothes?”
In a voice so ominous, it gave me chills, she leans in so close I can feel her breath on my face, and says, “No. Not your clothes.”
“Psycho,” I say, pushing her away so I can stand.
“Do Mom and Dad know you’re with him?” She nods at Billy. “Or did you lie to them like you always do?”
“No. I didn’t lie. Idon’tlie.” I didn’t tell them the entire truth, though.
“You lied to them.” The smile that moves across her face is chilling, way too many teeth showing.
