Rawr Raaawr
“Goddamn, that’s an ugly sound,” I hear him say as I walk out of the staff room and look to the counter.
Nik stands there looking so yummy.
He turns to face me and gives me a dimpled smile “Ready to go, sweetheart?”
I stop a moment to take him in. Today he’s gone with a slightly casual look that I’ve never seen him wear. Wearing a tan colored skin-tight sweater that showcases his guns and broad chest, sleeves pushed up to the elbows, black jeans that make his muscular legs look amazing and white Adidas lace-ups. He pulls it off so well. Then again I nicknamed him Mr. Beautiful for a reason. He could wear a potato sack and still look great.
I walk right up to him, put an arm around his waist and look up, “Yep! Let’s do it. ”
He says goodbye to Nat and Mimi, puts an arm around my shoulder and walks me out of the door.
We walk three blocks wrapped up in each other sharing a comfortable silence.
I spot the place I want to go for lunch, look up at him and ask, “You feel a steak?”
He rolls his eyes at me and smiles, “Who doesn’t like a good steak?” He squeezes my shoulder and we walk over to the restaurant.
The restaurant isn’t full but they are still pretty busy for lunch service. We make it to the host station and the lady there smiles when she sees us. I’m sure she thinks we’re a couple and I’m shocked at myself when I don’t care what she thinks.
Nik speaks, “Table for two, please. ”
The host immediately replies, “Of course. Follow me. ”
Still with our arms around each other, she shows us to a table just inside an open doorway that leads to the patio seating. I feel a slight breeze come through the doorway and I think she just gave us the best seats in the house.
Just as we’re about to sit, I hear multiple gasps and look over two tables to see three pretty women sitting and staring at us open mouthed. Nik stiffens and I’m confused.
What’s going on?
All the women look past us to the restaurants entrance. I feel my eyes follow theirs and when I see what they see, I stiffen as much as Nik has.
At the host table stands She-Devil Sissy. Her face flashes pain but she covers it quickly with a superior look.
She walks over to where her friends are sitting and as she passes us she acknowledges us, “Nik, and Friend of Nik’s. ”
Nik sounds bored when he replies, “Sissy. Enjoy your lunch. ”
As Sissy sits with her friends I hear them bombard her with questions and statements. “Oh my gawd Sis, isn’t that your boyfriend?” “I thought you guys were gettin’ married?” “Forget his cheating ass, honey. ”
Nik takes out a chair for me and I sit, then he seats himself and shoots me an easy smile, “Just ignore them. ”
I feel my neck get hot and itchy and I’m sure it’s bright red. I do my best to plaster on a fake smile, “Yeah, sure. ”
Nik sees my obvious discomfort and reaches over to put his hand over mine. He whispers, “We can leave. ”
I’m just about to answer when the waitress comes over to our table. Rather than answer Nik, I place my order. He smiles and shakes his head at me then places his order.
As we’re waiting for our meals, we chat.
I point out, “So, this is kind of awkward, having your ex-girlfriend watch us eat. Now she definitely thinks you’re shtupping me. ”
Nik laughs at my silliness and says, “She was never my girlfriend, babe. Never even been to my house. We always met at the club or I would go to hers. Don’t listen to her friends. She knew what our relationship was. I never played games with her, I was always forthright. If I’m completely honest with you, it was just sex. ”
I blush at his bluntness and squeak, “Oh, okay. ”
He narrows his eyes, places his joined hands under his chin and says, “But I’m curious about you, little T. How does a woman who owns her own business, bakes like you do, and is as pretty as you are not have a boyfriend?”