"These are so pretty, Remy. Thank you."
“You’re welcome,” I smiled.
I watched her take them in, her fingers brushing over the petals. That soft smile on her face did something to me I couldn’t even explain. I sat down across from her.
She leaned forward and kissed my cheek softly. “You’re spoiling me,” she murmured.
“I’m trying to,” I replied easily sliding off my shoes.
She shook her head, still smiling as she set the flowers gently to the side. I turned my attention to the basket, opening it up and pulling everything. Fresh fruit first—strawberries, grapes, sliced mango. Then the containers. Lemon herb grilled chicken, a pasta salad with roasted vegetables and feta, garlic butter shrimp, and a small container of truffle mac and cheese because I knew she’d like something indulgent.
I set out two plates, napkins, and a bottle of sparkling Rosé, popping it open and pouring us each a glass. By the time I was done, she was watching me with that look again. That same look she had the first night. Curious. Amused. A little impressed but not trying to show too much of it.
“You don’t half-step anything, do you?” she asked.
I glanced up at her, handing her a plate. “I don’t see the point.”
She took the plate from me, her fingers brushing mine. “I can tell.”
We both settled in, legs stretched out, shoulders relaxing as the breeze moved through us. We ate for a bit, talking about small things at first. Music, places we’d been, places we hadn’t. She told me a story about her and Ronnie taking a last-minute trip that sounded chaotic as hell but fun at the same time. I told her about Melo and how he swore he could cook better than me now.
She laughed at that. And every time she did, I felt that pull. Stronger than it had any business being this early. I found myself watching her more than I was eating. The way she talked with her hands, the way her face shifted depending on what she was saying, the way her voice softened without her realizing it.
I blinked, pulling myself back into the moment when I realized I had been staring at her a little too long.
She noticed. Her brow lifted slightly. “What?” she asked.
I exhaled slowly, rubbing my hand over my mouth before looking back at her. “I like you,” I said simply.
Her expression softened just a little.
I didn’t look away. “I like you more than I expected too,” I added, honestly. “And I’m not really the type to pretend I don’t feel something when I do.”
She didn’t speak right away. Just looked at me. Letting out a small sigh, she set down her plate. "I like you too, Remy. Trustme…I wasn't expecting to be feeling all of this so soon." she gestured between us.
I took her hand and kissed the top gently. "I'm glad I'm not alone."
Gianna shook her head slowly. "Not at all. You're sweet as hell. What's not to like. But…" her brow rose again slightly. "How would we go about doing this?" she asked. "I'll be honest. This is new for me. I don’t usually get to this stage of dating after they find out I'm a sex worker."
I flinched slightly at the word. Gianna caught it.
"See," she withdrew her hand from mine. "That right there. Subtle but present. You can't even hear the word without a reaction, Remy."
"I'm not judging you though," I replied sincerely. "Seriously."
She exhaled slowly. "I know you're not…subconsciously though, you are. Even if you don’t realize it." She held my gaze. "How would you introduce me to your family and friends? Would yo be comfortable having me around your son?"
I wasn't going to lie to her. This whole situation was delicate. “To be completely honest,” I said finally, voice steady. “That’s not something I’ve fully figured out yet.”
Her expression didn’t change much, but I could see a small shift on her face. Her body tensing slightly.
“But you’re right…I did react,” I admitted.
She didn’t say anything.
“That’s not about judgment though,” I continued. “That’s just me trying to adjust to something I’m not used to. And I’m not gonna pretend like that switch flips overnight.” I took her hand again, stroking the top softly with my thumb. “I’m not embarrassed by you, Gianna,” I stated, my voice firm now. “Let me make that clear.”
She exhaled slowly, looking down for a second before looking back up at me. “That’s all I needed you to say,” she said quietly.
