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His fingers lightly brush along my arm, guiding me out of the building toward his car.
“Where are we eating tonight?” I ask while bucking my seat belt, my fingers lightly tugging the end of my skirt so that it sits farther down my legs.
“I made reservations at Aviary 76,” he says, pulling out of the parking lot.
My thumb lightly scrapes against the ring sitting heavily on my finger as we drive, my eyes on the passing cars. “That sounds perfect.”
“That’s the first time I’ve seen you wear that.”
My face turns to look at Gavino with a frown, momentarily assuming he’s thinking about the ring. “Wear what?”
“The necklace I got you.” He nods toward the golden chain and my fingers lightly rise to skim the dangling sunflower.
“Oh, I guess I’ve just been scared to lose it.” I smile when his eyes meet mine, my hand falling back in my lap. Shifting in my seat, I roll my shoulders a bit. The bare skin of my back and arms feel sticky against his leather seats, the conversation making me uncomfortable.
“Well, I’m happy you wore it.”
There’s a silence that settles over us, like neither one of us can find anything worth talking about. It’s awkward, to say the least. If it wasn’t for the soft hum of the radio, I think I would have lost my mind as I stare out the window. And thankfully traffic is on my side because we get to the restaurant in record time, my heels lightly tapping on the concrete as I step out of the car, smiling at the valet as he holds the door open for me.
“Thank you.” He nods at my thanks, my arm lightly grabbed by Gavino as he joins my side.
“You’ve eaten here?” I nod at his question, my eyes scanning the people around us as we make our way to the hostess's table.
“Yeah, once or twice.” My eyes find his. “It was good.”
“Oh really?” He hums, looking around the room as we wait. “Who did you come with?”
“Uh, I think Julian one time and my mother the other.” I pause, my gaze flicking over the dark walls and chandeliers. “Maybe it was both of them both times. I don’t really remember.”
“If you don’t remember, then how could you remember if the food was good?” He laughs, knowing the people around us heard his question, his attention shifting toward the hostess as I stare at his profile. “Reservation for two under Luciano.”
I smile awkwardly at the woman next to us, looking forward to avoid the surrounding gazes.
“Ah yes, Mr. Luciano, I hope you’re having a good evening so far?” Gavino nods and the hostess smiles, flipping through her book. She pauses with a frown, a perplexed smile on her face. “I’m sorry but it seems that Luciano, party of two, has already checked in?” She fumbles under Gavino’s gaze, scuffling through her pages.
“That’s impossible.” Gavino chuckles, but it’s not a warm sound, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows. “Clearly, you’ve made a mistake.”
My brows dip at the tone of his voice, my hand rising to touch his sleeve and tell him it’s not a big deal, but he shrugs me off.
The woman’s cheeks have turned red, her chest rising and falling as she shakes her head. “You’re right, sir, it must be a mistake. I’ll just go ahead and get you seated. My apologies.”
She scuffles from behind the counter, smiling nervously at us as she starts to walk through the restaurant, leading us to our table. She stops at one. “Does this table work for you, Mr. Luciano?”
“It’ll do.” Gavino nods, moving to pull my chair out for me to sit in as the woman hurries off after shakily telling us that the waiter would be with us shortly.
I wait until Gavino is seated before I try to speak to him, sensing his annoyance. “It’s prettier in here than I remember.”
His eyes flick around the room as he settles, his hand smoothing back a stray piece of hair that fell on his forehead. “Yes, it’s nice.” It’s said almost absentmindedly as another waitress approaches us.
“Can I get started on any drinks?”
“We’ll have two glasses of Château Lafite?” Gavino smiles, his eye flicking to me.
Shit, I can’t drink.
The waitress nods, “Yes sir, I’ll be back in a moment to get your order.”
“Um, actually,” I stop her, giving Gavino what I hope is an apologetic smile and not one that looks as panicky as I feel, “can I change my wine to sparkling water?”
