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As she was finishing up with the tables, the door to the kitchen opened and a fresh wafting breeze of baking bread came drifting into the room. She perked up instantly as Sergio came into the room carrying a big tray covered in fresh rolls. He got halfway behind the counter before he noticed Aida, and stopped dead in his tracks, staring at her.
She turned, opened her mouth, and shut it again.
“Hi,” she said.
Sergio looked at her then spotted me. I was grinning like an idiot, trying not to laugh. He wiped the stupid look off his face and glared at me. “What the hell is this?” he asked.
“What? You never seen a girl before?”
He grunted and shook his head. “You know what I mean. Who is she?”
“This is Aida,” I said. “Aida, meet Sergio.”
My former boss looked at Aida and forced a smile on his lips. “I’m sorry if I’m being rude,” he said. “I’m not used to seeing Dante with a girl.”
She grinned. “I find that hard to believe.”
“It’s true,” Serio said. “Though your implication is also fairly accurate. He just never brings them here.”
“They’re never worth bringing around,” I said dismissively. “Aida’s one of the good ones.”
“Huh.” Sergio frowned at her. “That’s high praise, coming from him. Thanks for helping out.”
“Sure. I love the place. And those smell amazing.”
“Help yourself to one if you want.” He took the tray over to the baskets and filled one up. “Dante always does. It’s why he’s getting soft.”
“Soft? You dick.” I laughed and looked down at myself. My usual uniform of expensive, bespoke suit fit my muscular body like a second skin. “I’m pretty sure I’m looking good. Right, Aida?”
“You could cut back on carbs,” she said.
Sergio barked a laugh. “Oh, yeah, I like her. Hey, Aida, help yourself to whatever you want. Don’t let him guilt you into working, too. You’ll let him get soft if you do.”
“Sounds good to me.” She puts the rag and the spray bottle back down on the counter next to the register and leaned against it again. “Hey, Sergio, can I ask you something?”
“Of course you can, young lady.” He put the tray under his right arm. I sighed and closed my eyes, rubbing my temples.
“Maybe this was a bad idea,” I grunted.
“Was Dante always such an asshole?” she asked. “I mean, maybe asshole isn’t the right word. How about… preening? Self-centered?”
“All of the above,” Sergio said, nodding. “And yes, but actually he’s better now. You should’ve seen him when he was young. Oh, lord, the boy had no sense. If something was dangerous, Dante was doing it, profitable or not. That’s just the kind of man he used to be.”
“And what is he like now?” she asked, and I noticed the genuine curiosity in her tone.
Sergio’s eyes fell on me and he shrugged. “He’s a Capo now,” he said. “He’s a leader. Puts others ahead of himself. Still a jerk, but you could do worse. Now I’ve got a lot of bread to bake.”
“Thanks for the kind words, Serg,” I said.
He laughed and headed into the back again. I tilted my head and grinned at Aida as she stood up straight.
“What?” she asked.
“Interesting that you want to know more about me.”
“Don’t get any ideas.”
“Hard not to, when you’re fucking me with your eyes all the time.”
She shook her head and turned away. “You’re unbelievable. You kiss me one time and you think—”
“You kissed me back, you know.” I walked over and stood on the other side of the counter. I leaned forward, my mouth next to her neck. She didn’t startle as I brushed her hair back. Her posture tensed for just a moment, then loosened as my lips found her skin.
“I didn’t know what else to do,” she said.
“Interesting,” I murmured. “And right now. You seem to like it when I touch you.”
She didn’t speak. I kissed her neck, her cheek, and she turned her head to look at me as our lips pressed together over her shoulder. I ran my fingers through her hair gently, not pulling, just feeling her. She purred into that kiss before she pulled away and shook her head.
“Bad idea,” she said.
“I disagree. Sergio wouldn’t mind. I could tell him to close up and go home. We can fuck in the back then eat all the bread.”
She hesitated for just a second then laughed. “Okay, that actually sounds great. The bread part, at least.”
“And the fucking.” I crossed my arms. “Don’t forget that.”
“But we’re not doing this. You’re… you’re an asshole. You ruined my life.”
I laughed and shook my head. “You don’t sound very convincing.”
“You did. You… you ripped it wide open.” She took a step back from the counter and her eyes went wide. “I’m serious, Dante. What am I going to do now? How long am I going to be stuck in this limbo?”
