Page 6 of Eat Your Heart Out
3
Gerard
I circled downstairs, as Ali needed a few minutes to herself. She’d intrigued me, though I understood her hesitation. Picking someone up on the side of the road wasn’t my normal behavior, and I wasn’t sure how to help.
My mother came over to me as I poured myself a tea. “You’re taking a server on your trip now?”
My face heated. She’d caught me. Yesterday, I’d pronounced I hadn’t needed anyone. I put the teapot down and raised my eyebrow. “You raised me to be a prince.”
She glanced up the stairs. “She has great bones, though she’s on the skinny side and not in a natural way. If you do end up falling in love, son, make sure she eats more, especially fruits and vegetables.”
I gulped my tea piping hot. “I will let her know that for your approval, she needs to gain fifty pounds.”
“Don’t you dare.” She laughed then went on to talk to Adrien about his college classes.
I waved at Elon, who gave me a quizzical look, like he needed to speak to me.
However, my breath dissipated as I glanced up and saw Ali with her hair up and wearing a white dress with red flowers and butterflies as trim. I couldn’t look away, and I went to the bottom of the steps as she joined us.
My heart pounded. “You look great.”
She shrugged, but her lips curved higher. “I took a shower. The soap smells nice.”
I had butterflies in my stomach as I waved for her to join me. “Come, dinner is this way.”
We walked through my family, all in conversation, and I brought her to the side table set up for two with dinner under some cloches.
She placed her napkin on her lap, and her eyes widened as she removed the cover. “You really had them make me a plate?”
I nodded. She sniffed theghormeh sabzi.
I just said, “It’s a stew.”
She lowered her head a little toward the spoon then closed her eyes as she tasted her first bite.
I stilled, as not everyone appreciated my parents’ cultural food we’d had for dinner that evening, though it was delicious.
When she finished her bite, she sat straighter and nodded. “It tastes amazing.”
I released a deep breath. We wouldn’t need to have the chef make any burgers. I picked up my spoon to have my second helping, as it was rude to let someone eat alone. “We’ll compliment the chef later.”
We both ate for a few minutes in silence. She finished fast. The staff offered her more, and she took it. My skin prickled as I saw she was so hungry.
Once she seemed satisfied and put her spoon down, she let out a sigh. “So, why did you help me tonight? Are you on a quota to do something nice for total strangers to keep your angel wings or something?”
I laughed and shook my head. “I’m not qualified to be an angel.”
She sat back in her chair, and her eyes seemed brighter. “So you’re the devil who drives a Porsche. That honestly makes more sense. Is this my last meal before my execution?”
I leaned forward. “Are you on the run from the police or something?”
She giggled then shook her head. “No. I didn’t do anything wrong. However, I tend to attract horrible men. I figure you’re successful about it but probably the worst of the lot.”
I wanted to ask her what had happened to her. However, her statement begged for a response. I winked at her. “So you’re attracted to me?”
She rolled her eyes. “No, I said you’re attracted to me.”
I shrugged. For the first time in a while, I was enjoying flirting. “Well, now that I know you clean up well, it’s possible.”
