Page 3 of Forbidden Valentine

“Yeah,” she smiles. “I’ll take you to the table.”

I smile politely and walk with her to one of the back booths. “Charlie?” I ask. He looks me up and down with a smile before standing.

“Mila. It is good to meet you,” he says, hugging me. I am not normally opposed to touch, but from him it is just plain awkward. “Sit with me?”

He motions for me to sit on his side of the booth, but I take a seat across from him so that I am not trapped. I can tell right away he does not like this choice. “It’s a wonderful night,” I say sweetly. “Do you attend St. Valentines?”

“I do,” he says, sitting back with a smug smile. “I’m surprised you don’t recognize me.”

“Oh, I keep to myself, so I don’t recognize many people,” I say simply.

“We had two classes together last year,” he says flatly. “I sat behind you in both.”

“Oh,” I say. Oops. “Yeah, I’m sorry. I am always super focused on my work. I don’t do much else.”

“Hmm,” he says. “What is your major?”

“Psychology. You?” I ask.

“Business administration. I am getting an MBA,” he says with a smug tone. He takes the last sip of his drink and then snaps at the server, putting an order into a computer nearby.

Did he just fucking snap at her? Who the fuck does that? “Yes, Sir?” she says warmly when she walks over.

“We are ready to order,” he says.

“Oh, are we?” I ask sarcastically. I haven’t even looked at the menu.

“She will have the grilled chicken salad, and I will have the six-ounce filet,” he says. “Oh, and two glasses of your best red wine.”

“Just water, please,” I say sweetly. He gives me a disappointed look before handing her the menus. When she walks away, he smirks.

“What?” Charlie asks.

“Why did you order for me?” I ask.

“You looked that the type who would order a salad on a first date,” he says coolly.

The fucking audacity of this man. I know he just called me fat in a not-so-subtle way. I know I have a big ass, and my breasts are spilling out of my bra a lot of the time. Shit, I even have some belly fat, but I am beautiful. I am worthy of respect no matter my size and clearly not many people have an issue with it because I can still pull men and get fucked with just a few texts if I really wanted to.

“Mhmm,” I say simply. “I was actually going to order a burger, but thanks for assuming.”

“A burger?” he asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

“Yeah. Do I not look like the type to eat a burger?” I ask innocently.

“Here is your wine,” the server says as she sits it down. “And your water… How are we splitting the check tonight, guys?”

“Toge—” he starts to say.

“Separate please,” I say kindly.

“Not a problem, sweetie,” she says, clearly picking up on the vibe that I do not want to be here.

“What are your plans after dinner?” he asks, sipping his wine.

“Go back to my dorm and meet a friend,” I say.

“I was thinking you could join me at my place. My housemate is throwing a party,” he says. “Could be fun.”

---