Page 133 of The Devil's Fire

We were sitting in a nice restaurant to have dinner and spend some quality time together. Luca and Giovanni were in the restaurant too, seated close to our table. They have been good at staying out of view, but this was an exception, as they needed to make sure I was safe.

I ignored them so I wouldn’t draw any attention to them.

“What is it?” I asked, taking a sip of my water.

“I got you a date.” My mother beamed, and I choked on my water. Tears blurred my vision as I violently coughed, and she quickly came over to me and patted my back.

“A what?” I asked after calming down.

“A date!” Her green eyes were twinkling in happiness.

I was the spitting image of my mother with the same green eyes, though she was taller and had faint freckles on her cheeks. People would always mistake us for being sisters and would be shocked when they learned we were actually mother and daughter.

My mother had me when she was my age, twenty-four, but she was keeping herself in good shape and taking good care of her health. And me? I was filling myself with garbage and barely did any exercise.

“Why? And with whom?” I looked at her, shocked.

“I was having a chat with one of our regulars the other day. Her son came by, a very handsome young man, and I asked him if he was single because I have a single daughter. So, I gave him your number.” She said proudly, and I just gaped at her.

“What?! Mom, you can’t just give my number out like that.” I hissed quietly.

“And why not? You will like him, trust me. He’s very smart, good-looking, and has his own business.” She took a sip of her wine, looking satisfied with herself trying to play cupid.

My phone buzzed on the table, and I looked to see a text message from Luca.

Luca: Turn it down.

Well, no shit. I sighed, and I looked at my mother, trying to figure out how to get out of this date.

“Mom, I can’t go on a date with… what’s his name?”

“Liam.”

“Liam… I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but no, thank you.”

“Why not? You have been single for a long time. Isn’t it time for you to go out and see what’s out there?” She questioned.

My phone buzzed again, and I glanced down to see another text message.

Luca: Shut it down.

Tell her you’re seeing someone.

I really wanted to glare at him right now, but I couldn’t when my mom was looking at me. I couldn’t tell her I was dating someone. She would ask too many questions I wasn’t ready for.

“That phone of yours has been buzzing a lot lately… Oh my, did you find someone?” My mother gasped, excitement showing in her eyes.

Oh, crap.

“I- Uh… Well.” I struggled to come up with any words as I tried to think of some kind of excuse.

“My goodness, you did! Tell me, who is he?” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, ready to hear whatever I had to spill. “Is it Michael?” She asked, helping me with the perfect excuse.

“Yes, it’s Michael.” I could feel both Luca’s and Giovanni’s gaze on me as soon as another man’s name left my lips.

“I’ve always liked Michael. He’s a good kid. It’s cute though, you always had a thing for him when you were younger, and you said you were going to marry him. Maybe it will come true.” My mother chuckled and totally exposed my ass without knowing it.

My phone buzzed again.

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