“I feel bad you had to cancel his order.”
“Oh, I didn’t even put it in.”
Shaking my head, I laugh. “You’re a good egg, Mateo. Don’t ever change. Thanks for your help tonight.”
“Anytime, Mila. You deserve a guy who knows better than to order for you, let alone order something you’re allergic to.”
“I think you might be right, Mateo.” I offer him a sad smile and head toward the parking lot. I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize the lot is almost empty. It’d be a bit hard explaining a take-out bag if I walked past him, but oh well.
Climbing into my car, I put my food on the passenger seat and head home. I barely make it two minutes up the road when my phone rings again. Connecting Mara to the Bluetooth, I wait for her to speak.
“It was that bad?”
“You would have reached across the table and choked him with his own sweater, Mara.”
“You don’t know that.” She scoffs.
“Oh? So, you would have been fine waiting for over thirty minutes, just to have a man ask you to switch seats because they like a certain side of the table and then treat Mateo like he’s a servant... after he ordered food you’re allergic to, and said ‘It’s okay, babe. I got you’?”
I’m met with silence and then Mara finally responds. “That’s the difference between you and me, Mila. I would have left after five minutes. You’re too nice to people.”
Rolling my eyes, I ignore the way her words feel like a dig. “Whatever, Mara.” I disconnect the call.How’s that for being nice?
Pulling into the alley behind our shop, I use the backdoor access and head up to my apartment. I’m relieved this night is over. As Iunpack the rigatoni and breadsticks, I almost weep in happiness when I see Mateo included a container with cannoli in it as well.God, I love that kid.
Kicking off my shoes, I curl up on the sofa with my carbs and cannoli. Switching the TV on, I let it fill the silence of my apartment, and as I look around the space and eat my dinner, I realize there’s nothing wrong with my life. I don’t need a man to feel complete. This is enough.Iam enough.
Chapter Five
Kash
For the third time in the last twenty minutes, I see Cora check her phone. She’s our new receptionist atExiled Ink, and as much as I love the hell out of her, I have no doubt my brother Atlas would likely flip his shit if I hit on his girl… again. Well, she’s not officially his girl, but me and the others have a bet going. Our other brothers, Rhett and Seth, both think it’s equally hilarious watching the grumpy bastard fall apart. God, I hope I win.
As I creep up behind her, I watch her smile and really hope it’s not another guy she’s texting. Atlas would seriously flip his shit. He’s already grumpier than usual.
“Psst, Cora. What are you smiling about?” I whisper next to her ear, causing her to jump.
Cora smacks me in the arm. “Shit. Fuck. Damn it, Kash. You can’t do that!”
Holding back a laugh, I give her my friendliest smile. “I was trying to talk to you, but you weren’t answering. What’s got you smiling, Care Bear?”
“Leave her be, you lunatic,” Seth cuts in.
“It’s fine, although you’re right. I think he is a lunatic,” Cora jokes.
Rude.
Sticking my tongue at her, she rolls her eyes. “I was messaging my friend. We’re having a girls’ night after I get off.”
It’s almost time to close up shop and I was going to head home, but girls’ night sounds like a great idea. Maybe I can finally meet the infamous twin sisters. “Say less, Care Bear. We’ll go with you on girls’ night. We’d be honored.”
“Um, I don’t recall inviting you, Kash. I was texting Mara, but?—”
“Is she one-half of the twin friend?” Cora recently disclosed her best friends are twin sisters who own a local coffee shop, and I’ve been interested ever since.
She scowls at me, but I ignore it. Ineedto meet them. Twins are on my bucket list. “Please, Cora, I’ll do whatever you want. Let me go, please.” And because I’m not too proud, I drop to my knees in front of her.
“What the fuck are you doing, dumbass?” Rhett asks, as he and his client join our little group at the front.
