“You look good today,” she said, her smile slow and calculated.
“I said get on.”
She climbed on and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Don’t touch me.” He pushed her hands away.
“I have to or I’ll fall.”
“Then fall.”
“Don’t be mean. I was about to…” She leaned in and whispered in his ear.
He turned halfway toward her. “How desperate do you think I am? Poor thing.”
“Don’t call me that.” Her tone sharpened instantly.
“I’ll call you whatever I want.”
“I have plenty of your nudes. Don’t make me use them.”
He spun around so fast the bike jolted beneath them. “Don’t you dare threaten me again.”
“Then don’t make me threaten you. Just drive.” She wrapped her arms around him again.
He faced forward and started the engine.
They arrived at a bar and he walked in first. She had clearly expected him to open the door for her.
“Good evening. Just the two of you?” the hostess asked.
“Yeah,” he replied.
She led them to a corner table against the wall. “Is this okay?”
“Do you have something more central?” Stella asked.
“We’re fine here,” Mano said, then turned to Stella. “Sit.”
The hostess smiled politely and walked away.
“We’re all the way in the corner. No one can even see us,” Stella complained.
“Like you know all of Athens.”
“A lot of people I know come here. Someone’s bound to see us.”
He leaned back, resting his arm along the couch.
“What do you want to drink?” she asked.
“Coffee.”
“Coffee? We came for drinks. Why won’t you have alcohol?”
“Maybe because I’m driving?” he shot back.
“Oh. Right.” She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t think you’d be one of those guys who refuse just because they’re driving.”
