“Anything else you want?” he asked again. He didn’t look pissed off. He was smiling at me.
“No. Thank you for everything. So much. I think I’ve subjected you to enough torture today and spent enough of your hard-earned money. Thank you, Dare.”
He gave me a small smile and then lifted my booty of shopping bags from the floor all into one hand and slipped handles over his wrist so he would carry his coffee in that hand. My non coffee holding hand had two bags in it. He took them from me and transferred them onto the already full wrist and then grabbed my free hand with his now free hand and we headed back to the car.
“Wanna go eat?” he asked.
“Sure,” I replied as he opened the passenger door for me and tossed all my bags into the back seat.
He drove to a little Italian place not far from the mall. He seemed relaxed as we drove, happy even. As we entered a man in a suit approached.
“Ah, Mr. Dario! What a surprise! We are still getting ready for dinner but come, sit. We will look after you and the beautiful lady.”
“Nice to see you, Augustus. Is Ed in?”
“I don’t think so yet, Mr. Dario. He’s expected any minute. Please introduce me to this lovely lady!”
“This is…” He stopped and looked at me. His face was blank. I was relieved he didn’t introduce me as Felicia, that he remembered I didn’t want to be called that any longer.
“Angel,” I extended a hand to the older Italian man, “Nice to meet you.”
“Angel. Bella! Face of an angel, Mr. Dario. Such a beauty. So lucky, Mr. Dario, so lucky. Right this way.”
We were seated and Dario was studying me. I gave him a smile. He didn’t smile back. He didn’t look angry but he was studying my face, trying to figure something out, I think.
He started talking in a flurry of Italian to a waiter that came over and filled our water glasses. This was a nice place. Intimate. Dim. Red and white checked tablecloths with candles on the tables. I could smell food cooking and it smelled amazing.
We were quiet. It was a little awkward. Then a tall dark-haired and good-looking guy dressed in chef whites came over and put his hand on Dario’s shoulder, “Hey, man. How are you? You okay with a coupla specials since you’re here right in the middle of prep for dinner?”
“Sounds good, man. And I’m good. Uh, Angel, this is my brother-in-law, Eddy. This place is owned by my family. Ed’s the head chef and manager.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, “I’ve had your food. It’s wonderful. Best pizza I’ve ever had.”
Eddy beamed at me, “Thank you, I try. Nice to meet you.” He gave Dare a sly look, “I’m sure it’s why Dare’s sister married me. My cooking.” He shrugged. There was a clatter in the kitchen and he said, “Excuse me. I’ll get those specials out.”
I smiled at Dare. He sighed and shook his head.
“Your Italian is beautiful. Do you speak any other languages?” I asked.
“Spanish, Icelandic, a little French,” he muttered.
“Wow.”
He took a sip of his water and shook his head at me.
“Have I upset you?” I asked.
“What’s your name?” he asked me.
“It’s Angel,” I answered.
He shook his head, “Sweetheart…”
“Can we leave it at that? Please?”
He was jiggling his legs with vigor and he was shaking his head at me. Then his gaze sharpened, “I could make you tell me,” he warned.
“I know you could,” I pleaded with my eyes but my body was suddenly alert with sexuality at that dominant statement.