“Thanks, Gino.”
He claps his hands together. “I’ll be back. Tell me if you have any questions on the menu, my beauty.”
I chuckle at Eve’s wide-eyed stare. “Gino, this is my girlfriend Eve.” Her mouth opens and she gasps slightly. It’s all I can do not to reach over and kiss her ruby lips.
“Oh my… of course she would be blessed with that name. I’m Gino, and you need anything, you let me know.”
Again, I laugh. “Thanks, man. We’ll let you know.” He stands smiling down at Eve until I have to clear my throat.
“Yes, sorry, I’m gonna send Eve out some of my mama’s favorite specials.” He turns and marches back to the kitchen area.
I hand her one of the thick red menus. Reluctantly she takes it in, her eyes staring at the picture of Sophia Loren.
“Eve?” She doesn’t look at me but reaches for her crystal water glass. “Eve!” This time I’m demanding and her eyes dart to mine.
“What’s wrong?” I’ve never seen her like this. In a way, it’s adorable; in another, it aggravates me to see her this insecure.
She sighs and leans forward. “I… I was so excited and now I’m nervous.”
I blink at her, my eyes caressing her face, and I see the truth: she feels inferior.
“What do you want to eat?” It comes out harsh but I want to know before I dive into this.
She slams shut the menu with a thud. “That’s just it. I have no idea what this menu says. So why am I looking at it? I have never had Italian food unless Pizza Hut and Dominos count.” Her big eyes pool with tears.
I set the menu aside as I take her chin, forcing her to look at me.
“You are beautiful. Not because of the way you look on the outside but because of what’s inside. All this is just for fun.” I indicate our surroundings with my eyes. A small tear glides slowly down her cheek as she tries to shake her head no.
“It’s true. I’m doing this because I want to spoil you. The whole way over here I thought, I don’t deserve to feel like this, or that I’ve done a lot of bad things, which means I can’t have you.” I lean forward to inhale her soft sweet breath and suck it in like I need it to live. “But I do, Eve.” Her eyes light up with surprise and I kiss her. “Now, can you read?”
She goes to pull away, but I hold her. “Yes, but I don’t understand a lot of the words.” It’s a whisper but I hear it clearly. And that protective instinct I have with her doubles if that’s possible. I want to be her everything, her mate, her soul, her very life. Releasing her chin, I let the realization that I’m fucked sink in. That I have somehow fallen in love with Eve. Thank God I’m already sitting because I’m not sure what would happen had I figured this out standing.
“Here we go.” Gino appears, his hands loaded with tiny dishes filled with pasta, cheeses, and small meatballs. Eve leans back and looks up at the ceiling trying to stop her tears and I reach for the stupid flute of prosecco, downing it in two sips.
“Ahh, I will bring more.” He signals for a waitress to refill my glass. I want to order whiskey, but I don’t want to insult him.
“We’re ready, Gino. My Angel will have some of your mother’s famous baked ziti and I’m gonna have the gnocchi.”
“Wonderful, you are going to love the ziti. I will bring more samples.” Before I can stop him, he’s gone. The silence becomes like foreplay; it’s thick and stifling and I wish dinner was over as I wait to see what she is going to do. She doesn’t disappoint and sits up, straightens her shoulders, and reaches for some bread.
“I’m not stupid. I know you think I am, and just because I didn’t get to go to school doesn’t mean—”
“I know you’re not stupid.” I watch her chew. Again, that feeling that I’m falling into something I might never recover from slams me in the chest. “I’m not letting you go,” I snap at her. Her eyes widen as I see confusion on her face.
“I think you should know that I won’t be letting you go.” She stares, almost frozen. “If you had any thoughts that I would, forget them.” Even to myself that sounds crazy. It’s not her fault I’m a bad person. I don’t even know if a man like me can be in love. But if looking at this woman and never wanting her to leave my side is any indication, maybe I’m not as damaged as I thought.
She glances around the restaurant and I notice for the first time how crowded it is. People are laughing which is what I wanted to do. I want to introduce her to all things. Instead I’m being an ass.