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I waved at her and watched as she got out and walked over to her own car.

Just as I was about to put my car in drive, a knock on my window startled me. It was Aniya. I frowned as I rolled my window down.

“Yes?” I asked hesitantly.

“Who told you to leave? I didn’t tell you that you could leave yet. I have a meeting I need you to attend on my behalf. I have dinner plans tonight that can’t be missed,” Aniya snapped as she leered at me.

I reared back. It didn’t matter how long I worked for this woman. Her tone and the way she spoke to people would always shock me.

“I have dinner plans that can’t be missed, too, so I can’t, and since it’s after five o’clock, my designated work hours per my contract, I’m leaving.” I couldn’t lie. A small part of me rejoiced at the fact that those dinner plans were with her husband. This mean-ass woman didn’t deserve someone like Gino. At this moment, I was more curious than ever about what Gino would tell me tonight, and nothing would stop me from getting that information.

Aniya looked confused. “Your dinner plans aren’t more important than mine. I got a reservation at Chez Nu. Do you know how hard it is to get into that place?”

“No.” And I don’t care. Besides, how old are we? Comparing dinner plans as if one was more important than the other?

She sneered at me. “You wouldn’t. Come on. Get out of the car. You need to prep for this meeting.”

I stared at her in awe that she could be so self-centered. “Why did you make dinner reservations at the time of this meeting?”

She flicked her wrist at me. “Because I knew you would cover it for me. Now, come on.” She snapped at me.

I laughed. I didn’t mean to, but she sounded ridiculous. Did she think I was a child?

I shook my head and smirked at her. I’d never stood up to her before. Not really, anyway. She had a way of making me feel so small, like I couldn’t stand up to her. Know what changed that for me? Gino. He made me feel small and protected, but also like I was a giant because he simply treated me like I mattered. I didn’t realize how his simple kindness had affected me until this moment right now.

“No, Aniya. I suggest you call that fancy restaurant and let them know you won’t be making your reservation. Enjoy your night.” I rolled my window up and chuckled at the look on Aniya’s face as I finally backed out of my spot. I even gave her a happy little wave. I didn’t know what had come over me, but I felt like nothing could touch me. Furthermore, my nerves about seeing Gino tonight had suddenly turned into excitement because whether Aniya decided to be an adult and attend the meeting herself or go to her dinner reservations, I knew she wouldn’t be with Gino. I would, and that thought made me happier than anything.

My brows crinkled as I walked through the restaurant. It was completely empty, and I wondered if I had the wrong place, but I couldn’t because Gino sat right in the middle, his eyes trained on me as I made my way toward him. When I was close, he stood and wrapped his hands around my slim waist.

“Gino, where is everyone?”

He shrugged. “Fuck if I know.”

My brows pulled in. “Is this place even open?”

It was an expensive steakhouse I had never even been to. Soft lighting shone above us, and candles flickered at the table Gino had just occupied. There was even music playing, some kind of Jazz or something. It was soft and whispered past my eardrums as I hugged Gino around his neck.

“It’s open for us,” he explained.

As if on cue, a couple stepped through the front doors of the restaurant, and Gino’s eyes narrowed.

“Aye, y’all can’t read?”

The white couple jumped and looked around as if Gino might be talking to someone else.

“Me?” the man asked as he pointed to himself.

“You and that old lady next to you who’s dressed like a teenager. There’s a sign on the door that says closed,” he snapped.

There wasn’t. I knew there wasn’t because I had just walked in. If there was and I just missed it, I didn’t blame the couple for being so confused because I hadn’t seen it either.

“There’s no sign⁠—”

Gino cut the man off. “You musta enjoyed getting beat up in school. You look like the type. That’s what you want? You wanna get yo’ ass beat in front of your old lady date?”

“Gino,” I hissed as I grabbed his arm.

He looked down at me in confusion. “What?”