Page 76 of Broken Pieces
She looks at me, her eyes filled with wisdom as if she had lived many lives. My heart tugs at me hard. She reminds me so much of Nana.
“And who is this lovely lady? Damie, it's rude to not introduce us,” she scolds.
He rolls his eyes and says, “This is my girlfriend, Aria. Aria, this is Louise; she's the owner of the diner.”
My eyes snap to his, feeling like a deer caught in the headlights.
His girlfriend? I guess that solves the whole‘what are we’question.
I extend my hand to Louise, but instead, she brings me in for a hug. “Nice to meet you, sweetie.” She lets go and adds, “God bless your heart, dating this Grinch. You're doing charity work here.”
“You think you're so funny,” he says dryly.
I don't know what's happening, but I’ve never seen him joke so much. And who is this woman who even has a nickname for him?
Maybe a relative?
I vaguely remember reading somewhere that the only living relative he has is his mother, so it can’t be that.
Louise hugs him sideways, patting his forearm in a caring way. “I'll let you kids get settled. I'll bring over the menus in amoment.”
“No need. We will both take a double bacon cheeseburger with chili cheese fries and a cookies and cream milkshake.”
She pats his chest twice. “Let her order for herself. What if she wants something else? You’re ridiculous,” Louise says before turning to me. “I’ll bring you a menu, ‘kay?”
“You don’t need to. That actually sounds really good,” I reply.
We sit down as he reaches for the coffee pot that’s on our table. He takes a mug and serves himself some coffee in complete silence. “Want some coffee?” he asks.
I gape at him. So he’s just going to move on like nothing happened and not explain himself? I don’t think so. “Who are you, and what did you do with Damian Romano?”
"What are you talking about? he says dismissively, sipping his coffee.
“I don't know,Damie, you tell me,” I tease.
He grabs a packet of sugar, putting it on his coffee, then grabs a spoon, swirling the coffee with it. “I have been coming here since I was little. Lou and Fred have been like parental figures besides my mom.”
I don’t miss the way he only mentions his mom. One of these days we’re going to have to sit down and have a long, much-needed talk, because there’s something in him I recognize. Something I relate to so much. “Fred?” I ask, curious.
Hesighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “He died last year. Lou has been running the place with her daughter.”
His tone is laced with a hint of sadness that he tries to disguise with a fake cough. I simply nod in understanding. He seems to really like this place, and my heart tugs, because he’s sharing it with me. I've never seen him so at peace, and it is a welcoming change. I want to get to know Damian, the real one. The mask he usually wears for the world is far from his true self, and I’m determined to unmask every layer of him.
I don't want to push the topic further, so I quickly change the subject, going back to our joking banter. “Ordering food for me, what a gentleman,” I say in a teasing tone.
With a playful wink, he replies, “You said you wanted a burger and fries, and I’m here to deliver. Whatever my girl wants, that’s what she’ll get.”
My stomach flips, and it feels like a thousand butterflies are scattered all over it, making me blush and just… feel so many things at once.
My girl.
Curious, I ask, “So, I’m your girlfriend? When did we establish that?”
He hides his smirk behind his cup of coffee, taking a sip. “I told you I’m all in, and that means you're mine. Problem?” He raises a challenging eyebrow.
Thisis a side of him that makes me melt. The man who isn’t afraid to take what he wants. Not that I mind being claimed by him anyway. Damian makes me feel worshiped and wanted. He’s kind, thoughtful, and loving. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
The food arrives quickly, and we are served a delicious and enormous double bacon cheeseburger with a side of chili cheese fries that smell amazing, along with a cold and creamy milkshake. If there's one thing about me, I'm not ashamed to eat on a date. What can I say? I'm a foodie, and I'm unapologetic about it.
