Page 12 of Holiday Plus-One
“Be serious, Tracie. That shit is for the birds. Bullying is not okay, ever. You know that and so do I.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Good.”
Riley
Valentina is alreadyat the table when Tracie and I get there.
“Hi everyone.” I say and go straight to Valentina. “You look amazing.” She did and I didn’t mind telling her that again.
The long tan beige dress she’s wearing that hugs her hips, waist, and her breasts, tells me that I’d love what’s underneath it. Her nipples poke out to greet me and I want to ask her how she wants to be served up, but I won’t; instead, I feel myself smiling, shiny teeth and all.
“Thank you.” She shakes her head and smiles. “You’re going to get me in so much trouble.”
“How?”
I lean in close and ignore the looks that I know I’m getting.
“Such an innocent question yet loaded with all kinds of answers and intentions, Valentina.”
“Can we order?” someone asks, and I know it’s Vic trying to warn me off his sister. That’s not going to happen, I’m too invested, and I don’t simply want to rip her clothes off, I want to take her out on a date and get to know her if she gives me that chance.
“Yes,” I answer with an eye roll but my eyes land back on Valentina’s. “What would you like to order, beautiful?”
“Beautiful, huh?” she teases, and I like that about her. I’ve noticed from the second I flirted when we were outside, she was flirting back with no issue.
“Yes, very fucking beautiful. I’d be lying if I said anything else.”
Valentina smiles but tries to wipe it off her face and it makes me smile because I know she can’t. I like that.
“Behave.” she warns me.
“Anything you say ma’am.”
She arches a brow as she looks at me from head to toe, but that smile is so damn seductive that I know she doesn’t even have to tell me her last name and how she drinks her coffee to know that she’s a special kind of girl. The kind that you bring a bouquet of flowers for every morning, no matter what.
“Can we order now that you’re done being weird?” Vic speaks up again and this time, I flip him the bird as both Valentina and I sit down.
She’s sitting next to me instead of across from me. I would’ve liked it if she sat parallel to me so I could look at her, but this might be better… Maybe.
* * *
“You’re a little quiet for someone who's trying to order what they want from the menu.” Valentina whispers over to me.
“Mmm,” is my answer to her before I take my eyes off the menu, and they dart over to her.
“Mmm?” I repeat. “Yeah, I mean, there’s just so many things that are taking over my brain that I can’t think about if I want pancakes or waffles.” I shrug, trying to make the conversation seem as normal as possible, but it isn’t, is it?
“It’s not safe to ask, is it?”
“Hmm… to be safe, let’s change the subject or else, I’m going to be very disrespectful in public.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Oh, it is.” I smile wider and she mirrors my smile.
“Fine, neutral questions only, I guess. I’ll let you go first since you seem to be wanting to say something to me.” Valentina says and I chuckle.
