Page 61 of His to Have
My mother, who too had been watching, stood and came over to kiss my cheek. “You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart. That blue is perfect on you.”
Then she turned to Teo’s mother. “Come on. Let’s go play the perfect hosts.”
They left with the planner, taking all of Lidia’s staff with them. Suddenly the room felt quieter, with only the three of us.
“Now,” Sophia said, eyeing the second box, “what’s in that one?”
“Let’s find out.” I opened the other box, and instantly stilled at what was inside. This time, tears, almost fell.
“How did he find this...” I murmured, holding up the rose gold bracelet Teo had given me on my 18th birthday. That thing had long been gone. Matter of fact the last time I’d actually laid eyes on it was when Teo returned it to me at that restaurant, almost six months ago. I’d been so careful with it after that, but somehow it still disappeared from my jewelry box not to long after. I turned it over in my palm, tracing the engraved words I’d never seen before:Nothing lost is ever truly forgotten. My chest tightened as I read it again.
My mind drifted back to that day and how happy I had been to see him, despite what my mouth said..
“Your little boyfriend got you sitting here waiting? And by yourself” My brother startled me sliding into a chair next to me. “Lame ass.” He sucked his teeth, irritated.
It wasn’t the first time Bash had voiced his disdain for my new boyfriend.
I rolled my eyes. “I told him to meet me here, Bash. Why are you tripping?”
“That nigga should’ve picked you up, or beat you here. You shouldn’t be out here by yourself. The fuck?”
“No one has beef with me, Bash. I’m just fine sitting here without supervision.” I told him, picking up the menu. “Everyone isn’t out to get me. Besides, I haven’t been waiting long and Corey should be here in a minute.”
“That’s not really the point.” My brother continued, while I proceeded to tune him out . He went on and on about Corey’s absence, then about me being alone like I’m some damsel in distress.
“I thought you were meeting Teo. Why you all in my business?” I finally asked, cutting him off mid rant. I gave him a pointed stare. Not that he’d ever flinch.
As if I’d spoken Teo and his fine, overbearing self up, he approached the table with all of his dominant energy.He was just as bad as Bash.... if not worse.
The slow crawl of awareness that always settled deep in my bones when he was near settled over me.
“You here by yourself?” Teo eyes squinted, as he looked around the restaurant, and I sighed, straightening my back.
Bash smirked, noticing the way my posture adjusted at his question. Just because my body had a mind of it’s own didn’t stop me from saying, “Oh my God. What is with you two?”
“I’ll be at our table when y’all are done,” Bash nodded toward the back of the restaurant, leaving me to fend for myself under Teo’s intense gaze.
I huffed out a breath, slightly annoyed, but also happy to see him. It had been a couple of months since he’d been in town.
“You here by yourself?” he asked again, his voice smoother this time, but no less firm.
I rolled my eyes. “I told Bash, and now I’m telling you—I’m waiting for Corey. He’s on his way.”
Teo didn’t move right away, only stood there for a second, looking me over. Then, before I could react, he slid into the seat Bash had just vacated, settling in like he would be staying for a while.
My eyes narrowed, and my back straightened. “What are you doing?”
“Getting comfortable,” he said easily, picking up a menu and browsing through it like he was my date.
I opened my mouth to protest, but he only smirked, placing the fancy leather folder back on the table and reached into his pocket. He then produced something I hadn’t even known was missing.
My bracelet. The one he'd given me at eighteen.
I glanced at my wrist realizing it was gone.
“You really should be more careful with your things, Amore,” he murmured, flipping it between his thumb and forefinger.
“Where did you—”
