Page 109 of Call Me Sir

Hiking?

“I’ve never been hiking,” I admit.

“What?!” Kahlid shakes his head in disapproval.

“I’ve been a little here and there,” Rumi adds.

“Looks like we’re all going hiking together soon.” Kahlid says it with such confidence, I feel a weird dancing sensation in my chest.

They’re not just my coworkers, they’re my friends.

Everything feels set in the right place.

Now, all I need to do is take Sal out on a date and I recall something from that first night at my place as I work out where to take him.

* * *

??(Separate chapter in Vella)

Despite Sal being the driver, I rush to his side and open his car door for him.

I gesture for him to sit and he keeps looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“It’s called chivalry.”

He’s supposed to laugh, but instead, that look remains plastered to his face.

Whatever. Maybe he’s not old fashioned, or he’s not used to being romanced.

When he finally slides into his seat, I close the door and jog over to the passenger side, tugging at the dress shirt.

I swear to god he better tear these clothes from my body the moment we get back in his vehicle after dinner. I’ll run up to my apartment naked.

Plopping down, I turn my head and he’s staring at me. I try to think back, has he been this weird all day, or is this new?

Oh, my seat belt. I click it in place and give him a strained smile.

Oh, he doesn’t know where we’re going.

“Do you want me to drive so it’s a surprise until we get there?” I offer.

Sal seems to snap out of whatever daze he’s in. “No, no that’s alright. Where are we going?”

Okay, maybe he’s as nervous as I am.

“Um, I was thinking L’orgoglio dell’Italia.”

Christ, I butcher the pronunciation, but he doesn’t laugh. Instead, more of that odd energy emanates from him.

“Sal?”

He clears his throat. “Yeah, let’s go. Are you buckled?”

With a tight lipped smile, I snap at the seatbelt across my chest.

“You’re not wearing yours.”

“Oh,” he says, buckling himself quickly.

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