Page 45 of For the Lover in You
"Tired?"
Her head popped up. "Just a bit. What are you doing out here?"
I shrugged. "I just wanted to check on you. I know it's pretty crazy in there, and you're probably worn out."
She smiled softly. "Thank you. I don't know what Justin was thinking of doing this craziness, but he has lost his mind. People love wings. I'm ringing up fifty wings per table. It's insane."
I laughed and took a seat on the curb with her. "I saw y'all carrying plates and more plates of wings, but I know he made a killing and you, too."
She nodded. "I did okay. I was going to use some of this to treat myself. Trina and Chasity want to take me to a spa. I was able to find a coupon, so I'm excited."
"That'll be nice. You deserve that. You work hard, and you're a single mom. You deserve all the incentives."
She smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Houston."
I shook my head.
"What?"
"You don't have to call me that. Call me, Trey. I think we've passed the formal part of things. People who don't know me call me Mr. Houston. People who are my friends call me Trey."
"Friends?"
I looked at her and smiled. "You don't think we're friends?" I placed my hand on my heart. "I'm hurt."
She laughed. "I'm sure you have plenty of friends. You don't need to add me to the roster."
I scanned Mila's face. Even after being on her feet all night, she still looked like a model to me. Stunning was an understatement.
"Nah, I had to have you."
She stared at me. I looked into her eyes. We moved closer to each other. Her lips brushed softly against mine. Everything moved in slow motion.
"You're so beautiful, Mila," I softly whispered.
I heard her gasp, and her lips parted. I took that as my invitation. I moved in, and then the door burst open.
"Mila! You just got a new table," a server announced, standing in the doorway.
She didn't even wait for Mila to respond before she turned on her heels and raced back into the restaurant. I was pissed off. I wanted to taste Mila. I needed to taste her. I was so irritated that I wanted to run behind the server and curse her out.
Mila stood to her feet, dusting her butt off from sitting on the curb. She walked toward the restaurant but paused at the door. She looked back at me, staring for a second before a small smile appeared.
"Talk to you later...Trey."
I grinned like a kid in a toy store as she switched her way inside the restaurant. Hearing Mila say my name sent a rush through me. It was new and energetic. The feelings that I had felt could no longer be ignored. I had feelings for Mila, so now I needed to figure out if she was feeling the same.
I stood up and went back inside the restaurant. By the time I returned to our table, Owen and Vance were still occupied with their own personal lives. I sat at the table, blocking out all the noise and keeping my eyes on Mila, trying my hardest not to make it as obvious. She worked the room, even better this time, as if she had a pep in her step. She would quickly glance in my direction when she got the chance, and each time, my heart leaped out of my chest. It amazed me how effortlessly Mila had this much power over me.
By the time Owen and Vance returned, Owen let us know he had to head out, and Vance said he was waiting on Chasity to wrap up so that he could walk her to her car. I waited with Vance as he waited for Chasity. My plan was to see Mila, hopefully before my night ended. I smiled at Vance as he paced the groundback and forth. His nervousness was visible, and I couldn't help but laugh at him. I was impressed to see the power Chasity had over him.
"Relax, man. Look at it like this. Chasity is so down to earth. There is no need to be scared."
"Man, she makes me feel things I can't explain. I just want to do right by her. That's all."
I patted him on his back. "You will. Take your time with her."
"Thanks, bro."
