Page 2 of Top Dog

“You look good,” I said.

“Took the words from my mouth,” Romeo said.

Oh, his voice. That smooth, velvety timbre against my ears.

“It’s been a while,” Romeo said.

“It has.”

“Care to take a seat?”

His arm ushered out toward the booth, and I slid in, glad to put a barrier between us.

“I’m sorry for not responding to your messages for so long,” I said.

Romeo’s eyes hooked onto mine, and I could feel myself falling into his trance again. I felt myself swirling in his beautiful eyes. My feet started gravitating toward his warmth underneath the table.

Get it together, Julia. He’s still the head of the Martine family.

“You owe me nothing. It’s your father that owes me an apology,” Romeo said.

“And since he isn’t alive to deliver that apology, consider this from him,” I said, bristling slightly.

“I didn’t mean to sound inconsiderate.”

“You play the part well,” I said flatly.

/> “Would the two of you care for a glass of wine tonight?”

I looked over at the waitress and saw her smiling kindly at me.

“No, thank you. But I would enjoy some water,” I said.

“Water for me as well,” Romeo said. “Also, two steaks, medium rare. Mushrooms on hers but not on mine. Each with a side of garlic broccoli, then add a salad to mine and fries to hers.”

I stared at Romeo, attempting to hide my disbelief.

The beautiful bastard remembered.

“I’ll get right on it and have your waters out soon,” the waitress said.

“So,” Romeo said as he unbuttoned his suit jacket, “how’s Matteo?”

The sound of my son’s name falling from his lips pulled me from my trance.

“How do you know his name?” I asked.

“He’s my son. I know a great deal about him.”

I narrowed my eyes slightly as I scooted heavily into the cushion at my back.

“Is he not my son?” Romeo asked.

I swallowed thickly as the server set our waters in front of us.

“Thank you,” I said as I reached for the glass.

I took a long pull before I set it back down on the table.

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