Page 48 of Truth or Dare

He started talking in a flurry of Italian to a waiter that came over and filled our water glasses. This was a nice place. Intimate. Dim. Red and white checked tablecloths with candles on the tables. I could smell food cooking and it smelled amazing.

We were quiet. It was a little awkward. Then a tall, dark-haired and good-looking guy dressed in chef whites came over and put his hand on Dario’s shoulder.

“Hey, man. How are you? You okay with a coupla specials since you’re here right in the middle of prep for dinner?”

“Sounds good, man. And I’m good. Uh, Angel, this is my brother-in-law, Eddy. This place is owned by my family. Ed’s the head chef and manager.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said. “I’ve had your food. It’s wonderful. Best pizza I’ve ever had.”

Eddy beamed at me. “Thank you; I try. Nice to meet you.” He gave Dare a sly look. “I’m sure it’s why Dare’s sister married me. My cooking.” He shrugged. There was a clatter in the kitchen and he said, “Excuse me. I’ll get those specials out.”

I smiled at Dare. He sighed and shook his head.

“Your Italian is beautiful. Do you speak any other languages?” I asked.

“Spanish, Icelandic, a little French,” he muttered.

“Wow.”

He took a sip of his water and shook his head at me some more.

“Have I upset you?” I asked.

“What’s your name?” he asked me.

“It’s Angel,” I answered, feeling tingles spark in my chest.

He shook his head. “Sweetheart…”

“Can we leave it at that? Please?”

He was jiggling his legs with vigor, continuing to shake his head at me. Then his gaze sharpened. “I could make you tell me, couldn’t I?”

“I know you could,” I pleaded with my eyes but my body was suddenly alert with sexuality at that dominant statement.

He shook his head, took a sip of his water, kept jiggling his legs, clearly annoyed with me.

A waiter brought warm bread and a platter with meats, cheese, and olives and put it between us. Another waiter came with a bottle of wine and poured two glasses of red.

We were quiet, eating from the platter and he had a few lighthearted conversations with staff who came by setting up nearby tables for dinner. As the waiter brought over two plates heaped with spaghetti with meatballs three very attractive women rushed toward the table.

“Hi ho, Dariiiiooooooo,” one of them sang out and Dare looked up and then went, “Ah for fuck sakes.”

He put his palm to his forehead and stared at the ceiling.

Two were clearly sisters, maybe even fraternal twins, short, almost identical. One was blonde and the other had a blonde on top, dark on the bottom ombre. They were both petite but they looked like Dare. His sisters? Behind them was a tall and strikingly beautiful brunette.

One of the sisters was greeted by Eddy who kissed her and then said, “Sorry, man. They found out.”

“They found out,” Dario repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The two sisters were laughing mischievously. The taller brunette was just looking at me. Her eyes were on my throat. My hand covered my collar protectively. It would look to anyone who didn’t know better like a choker necklace and it matched my blue sapphire stud earrings and bracelet. They were beautiful pieces of jewelry but I felt self-conscious at the way she was looking at it.

“Luciana. Luc for short. Short like me. I’m Dare’s baby sister,” The one on Eddy’s arm laughed and reached out and shook my hand.

“Angel,” I replied softly.

I glanced at Dare and he shook his head in dismay.

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