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“You do not…” Luigi says, smirking. “Maybe..uh..sexy?”
"Whorish." Aria remarks back, glaring at her right hand man.
"You look hot Aria, trust me,” I blurted without meaning to. "You’ll have that guy wrapped around your finger.”
She really does.
She looks hot.
Absolutely amazing.
The dress is a show stopper. She’s a show stopper. The dude doesn’t stand a chance. If I’m being honest, it’s honestly getting me a little…turned on. I pull at the collar of my shirt. It's getting hot in the bar.
“Don’t wait up…” she says as she struts out the front door.
Chapter 5
Aria
“Don’twaitup,”Isay over my shoulder and strut out of the front door. Luigi is hot on my heels. He’s asked to drive me. I figured I’d let him. “You’re not staying the whole time,” I tell him as I climb into the black luxury car. It’s our VIP car. We use it for certain guests of the hotel. But tonight, she’s all mine.
My loneliness has sort of gotten to me lately. So much so that I let a man buy me a drink. Funny considering he offered to buy me a drink in my own club. I let it happen, though. He was handsome. May as well.
Luigi thinks I’m crazy. Going on dates with random strangers when we have a war going on. But if this guy is Colombo then I’m Gumby. He was awkward. Nerdy. A real computer geek type; but it’s kind of refreshing talking to someone so different.“You’re sitting this one out…” I grumble as soon as he opens his car door.
“I just want to get a good look at the guy,” he defends.
I shake my head. “I’m a big girl, Lu,” I bite. “I can take care of myself.”
He groans and slams the car door. “Fine.”
I make my way into the restaurant. There are lights outside the place and they’re glimmering. Some brave souls are eating outside. A little too nippy for my taste. I pull my shawl tighter around me and walk inside the restaurant, the ambiance immediately hits me and warms me. It’s been ages since I’ve eaten anywhere other than my own establishments.
My chefs were renowned but it’s a nice change of pace to be somewhere else.
A real treat.
There’s soft music playing in the dining area. I can hear it from the host stand. I smile. The food smells incredible. It’s a nice little French bistro. A place that I know is difficult to get reservations at. “I’m here to meet Mr. Nick Kane,” I say to the hostess.
“This way,” she greets as she beams outwardly and gestures toward the dining area.
As soon as we turn the corner, I see him. He waves. Excited even. His smile is wide and awkward. Giddy. This is the first date I’ve been on in over 15 years. I'm relieved he looks just as nervous as I feel.
“I’m so glad you made it,” he says, pulling my seat out for me.
The gesture is kind. I just have a tough time when people do nice things for me these days. Especially because time has calloused me a little. I’ve grown hard… and a little bitter.
“Thanks for inviting me.” I smile and smooth the back of my dress to have a seat. He pushes my chair in and clears his throat.
“I ordered us a bottle of wine…” He’s grinning ear to ear.
I smile politely, although a part of me prefers to order my own drink. I used to be ok with wine, but the older I got, the more I craved something a little…stronger. Whiskey was my poison these days.
“So, you’re Aria Morino-Lorenzo? Billionaire?” He asks, and my polite smile quickly fades.
I nod nervously. “I’m…thatAria Morino-Lorenzo…”
It’s not something I talk about usually.
