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I shook my head to clear out the cobwebs that seemed to be barring thoughts from making their way out. “Sorry, distracted.”
“I understand.” He gave me a soft smile and stood up. “Let me take you to dinner and we can talk without pressure. Plus, you’re eating for two now. I’ve got to make sure you’re fed.”
I looked at his offered hand and bit my lip, he was so calm and confident. How was that even possible in this situation? I wanted to draw on that confidence for myself because I was so damn scared in that moment. What was going to happen to me? To the baby? To Royce?
This situation was crazy and terrifying. I swallowed hard and stood up on the step, immediately feeling a bit light-headed. Royce reached for me to put me on solid ground. The second his hand touched me; I felt a curling need in my belly that I never felt before.
“Easy, sweetheart.” His low timbre was sweet, and I loved the way he sought to look out for me. Being in the big city after living my whole life in a small town that still had a general store rather than a big chain store was a new world.
“Thank you,” I said, pushing down the desire I felt to curl into his side. He was tall standing next to me. My head didn’t even reach his chin, and I felt safer with him by my side. Which was crazy since he was a stranger.
“What do you like to eat?” he asked, opening the door and leading me out into the hallway toward the exit.
“Anything but Mexican food.”
“You don’t like Mexican food?”
“The smell of beans makes me sick. I loved eating Mexican food before the baby, but I passed a taco truck on the way to class this morning and had to fight the urge to puke.”
“No Mexican food. You like Italian?”
“Yes.”
“Great.”
He led me back through the lobby. Nobody stopped us to talk. They all seemed scared to say or do anything. I guess that’s what happened when you make a major mistake.
When we got outside, a man stood beside a black car holding the back door open. I was surprised when Royce led me to the limo. “I’ve never been in a limo before,” I said, sliding over so Royce could join me on the back seat. The plush seats molded to my body.
“I’m glad your first time is with me.” Royce gave me a wicked grin and I melted a little inside as I felt a flush spread across my cheeks.
Thankfully he changed the subject, asking questions about me. What was I going to school for? What did I want to do for the rest of my life? Where was I from? It was just general questions and I reciprocated, learning more about him. It was comfortable as we rode to Lower Manhattan toward Little Italy.
I didn’t expect him to take me to a little hole in the wall mom and pop restaurant, but he did. Nona’s Kitchen was a small Italian restaurant. I noticed a help wanted sign in the window and took note of it. I needed to find a job. Maybe this was my lucky day. A small restaurant would be perfect, and I had experience waiting tables, so that was a bonus.
A girl in black pants and a red shirt greeted us as we walked in the front door. “Welcome.”
“My normal table please, Cara,” Royce said politely, his hand lingering on the small of my back as he led me up to the podium.
“Follow me.” She gave me a curious smile before leading us to the table in the darkest corner of the room. It was small and intimate. Soft music was playing from the speakers and the way the restaurant was designed, gave everyone the feeling of being alone in their own world.
“Would you care for some wine today?” she asked as we slid into opposite sides of the booth.
“No, thanks. Waters for both of us.” Royce said, ordering our drinks which irked me a bit. I could have wanted something other than water. I didn’t, but I could have. I decided not to push it since he was footing the bill, and we were in a big enough pickle as it was. We were about to be parents and neither of us expected to have a kid between us.
I picked up my menu to distract me from the nerves dancing in my empty stomach. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I walked in the restaurant and smelled the delicious aromas.
It was habit to pretend to read menus, so I didn’t look weird. Italian places always had chicken alfredo, so I got that when I went out for Italian food.
“You come here a lot?” I broke the silence that had settled around us. When I looked up, I found him staring at me. Something in his gaze had the hairs on my arms standing on end and a shiver running up my spine.
“Yes. I grew up not far from here before my mom married her second husband and moved us to the Upper East side.”
“Oh. I can’t imagine growing up in a city like this.”
“You don’t like New York?”
“I do, it’s just that I came from a very small town where everyone knows everyone, and people are always there to look out for you. In the city, you’re kind of anonymous which I’m sure has its perks, but it also sucks when you get lost and end up in a bad neighborhood, like I did.”
