Page 12 of The Viper

“Great, let’s go.” I make a sweeping movement toward the open door. “By all means, don’t let me stop you from taking me to dinner.”

Dominic gestures for me to enter the restaurant, and follows close behind. I stand at the host desk, but Dominic waltzes in and links our fingers to tug me along. He apparently doesn’t want to wait for anyone to come and seat us. Instead, he heads toward the back, where there’s a private area. We walk past a number of tables whose occupants notice my barefoot appearance and raise their eyebrows in surprise. “Rosa,” Dominic says as he pulls out a chair at the most secluded table in the restaurant.

“It’s Rose,” I snap at him, walk around and sit in the seat opposite to the one he’s pulled out.

He shakes his head, unbuttons his jacket and sits. Dominic’s shallow laughter irritates me. He’s not taking me seriously. “Mr. Sacco, it’s nice to have you with us tonight. Miss Hopkins,” the waiter says as he hands us two menus. He knows my name?

“Give us a moment, Jeffery.”

“Yes, sir.” The waiter backs away.

“He knows my name?” I don’t even look at the menu.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I told them.”

“You seriously don’t see a problem with any of this?”

Dominic shuts the menu and looks to me. “I’m hungry, you’re hungry. What’s the issue with us eating together?” He opens the menu again and peruses it while I sit staring at him. “The cannelloni is excellent, as is the arrabbiata. What would you like?” He doesn’t lift his chin to look at me, but I know he knows I’m staring in disgust. “Of course, there’s mushroom risotto too. Everything is perfect here.”

I sigh and finally open the menu. “Mr. Sacco, are you ready to order?”

“Yes, bring us one of everything.”

“What?” I ask as I look over my menu to Dominic. “No, don’t bring us one of everything. I’ll have a caprese salad and garlic bread.”

“There’s no meat in either of those,” Dominic says.

“Because I’m vegetarian.”

“You’re what?” He seems genuinely surprised by my statement. I’m not, but I want to make this as painful as possible for him so he leaves me alone.

“It means I don’t eat meat,” I explain slowly like I’m speaking to a child.

“I know what a vegetarian is, I just don’t understand why.” The waiter is still waiting for the rest of our order, and I glance at him then Dominic. “Osso Bucco.”

“And to drink?”

“Scotch for myself and wine for Miss Hopkins.”

“Very well.”

“No. I don’t want wine. I’ll have a soda please. It doesn’t matter which one, thank you.”

“Coke, Sprite?” the waiter offers.

“Sprite, thank you.”

He smiles and leaves the table. I sit on my hands as we wait for him to return. “Are you going to do that wherever we go?”

“Do what?” I ask Dominic playing dumb.

“Every single thing I say, you counter.”

I smile and lean forward so the other diners in the VIP area don’t hear. “This is the first and last time I’m going anywhere with you.” A strained smile tugs at my lips.

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