“I see a beautiful woman and I can’t stop myself,” he said. “I’m Will, by the way.”
“Mila.” I held my hand out to him.
“A beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”
“Oh.” I blushed, not knowing what to say.
“I’ll just leave the wine menu with you,” the maître d’ said and beamed at us both as he backed away.
“Dining alone?” Will asked me hopefully, his eyes a piercing navy blue in his handsome face.
I shook my head. “No, I’m waiting on someone.”
“Would you like company while you wait?” he asked, showing his perfect white teeth. His dark gold hair was cut perfectly and shone on top of his head as he waited for my answer. I blushed again, still not knowing what to say. I was taken aback that this gorgeous man was asking to sit with me and was flirting with me.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” I shook my head again and stared at his perfect navy, pinstriped suit. I was still in internal shock that he was talking to me. I wasn’t used to men just coming up to me; especially not distinguished, handsome men like him.
“It would be my pleasure.” He took a seat next to me. “I’m dining alone, so I’d be happy to keep you company until your girlfriend gets here.”
“Oh, it’s a male friend.” I blushed, wondering why I hadn’t said fiancé. Maybe because it felt like too much of a lie.
“I guess that was pretty obvious that I was fishing, huh?” He laughed.
“Fishing?” I asked dumbly, not sure what he was saying.
“For information. You know, to see if you’re single.” He leaned forward and adjusted his tie. “Though that would’ve been too much to ask. Have a beautiful single woman just fall into my lap.”
“Oh, ha ha.” I laughed uncomfortably. I’d never had a guy come on to me so strongly before.
“So, not single?” he asked more directly, his eyes light as he chuckled.
“Um, yes, no—kinda.” I laughed at the confusion on his face. “It’s kinda complicated.”
“I can work with complicated.” He winked and then leaned back. “And in case you were wondering, I’m single.” He grinned. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Oh. I shouldn’t.” I shook my head, feeling slightly dazed and confused, and a little proud of myself. I had to be looking pretty good if this handsome man was spending so much time flirting with me and offering to buy me a glass of wine.
“Don’t you drink?” he asked curiously.
“Oh, I do, but like I said, I’m waiting on someone.”
“He’s not a very good someone, though, is he?” Will looked at me and frowned. “He’s got you sitting here waiting on him.”
“I’m sure he just got caught up at work,” I said with a small smile. “He’s a busy guy.”
“I’m a very busy guy, but look where I am right now,” he said seriously, and I started to feel my heart sinking a little. What was he trying to say? That TJ didn’t respect me or my time? He was only five minutes late. But then as I thought about it, I wondered if he was late when he went on real dates. I bet he was early for women he wanted to go out with. Women he really liked. I was just his fake fiancée, the girl he was fucking. He didn’t really care about me. I wondered how he treated the women he really cared for. I could feel my stomach churning as my thoughts immediately turned negative.
“Hey, you okay, Mila?” Will leaned forward. “I didn’t mean to hit a nerve.”
“Sorry, what?” I asked him, blinking, trying to get rid of the heavy feeling that had hit me.
“Maybe work was just really busy,” he said. “I mean, if he has you waiting around a lot, maybe he doesn’t care as much as you hope. A woman like you deserves a man that’s going to put her above everything else.”
“Thank you,” I said with a small smile, looking at my watch and realizing that TJ was actually fifteen minutes late instead of five minutes late.
“I know you don’t know me,” Will said, and I watched as he pulled his wallet out of his pocket. “But if it doesn’t work out with this guy, or you want to talk to me or let me take you out for a drink, give me a call at this number.” He pulled a card out and handed it to me. “I’d love to take you for a drink. Show you how a gentleman treats his lady. I, for one, wouldn’t have you waiting.”
“Oh, wow, thanks.” I held his card in my hand and looked down at it awkwardly. How did one respond to that? And where was TJ?
“Mila.” TJ’s voice was loud behind me and it made me jump.
“TJ?” I said, looking at him with narrowed eyes and a red face, like I’d been caught red-handed with my hand in the cookie jar.
“What’s going on?” He frowned and looked at the card in my hand and then at Will.
“I was just keeping Mila company.” Will stood up, nodded at TJ and then looked back down at me. “It was a pleasure making your acquaintance tonight, Mila. Please call me if I can ever take you out for a drink.”
“Thank you,” I squeaked out and I could feel TJ’s eyes on me. I looked up at him and gave him a quick smile, but he just frowned at me, his eyes narrowed as he watched Will going back to his seat.
“Making new friends already?” he said as he sat down. “Looking for someone new?”
“TJ, we were just talking.” I rolled my eyes at him. “Don’t being stupid.”
“I’m not being stupid.” He pursed his lips. “Do you know what you want to order or did you even bother to look at the menu.”
“I think I’m going to get a steak. And lobster. And oysters. And caviar. And lots of champagne,” I said sweetly and then smiled. “You can afford it.”
“Funny,” he said as he looked at me, but I saw that he wasn’t able to keep a smile off of his face.
“That’s me, one funny girl.” I grinned at him, determined to not let him ruin my good mood. I stared at his handsome face, so serious as he sat there in his smart business suit. His eyes looked at me searchingly, with a glint of judgment as if he were telling me off for talking with Will. A part of me was delighted that he appeared to be jealous. Another part of me was annoyed that he was going to be acting like a bit of an ass, just because I was being friendly to another guy. It wasn’t like I wanted the other guy. All I could think about was TJ.
“Yes, one funny, sexy girl,” he said and I felt his hand reach down and grab my knee under the table and his fingers started running up and down my calf.
“What’re you doing, TJ?” My eyes widened as I gazed at him.
“Nothing.” He grinned as his fingers moved up my legs again and he pushed against my inner thigh to gain access. I squeezed my legs together closer in response.
“TJ.” I pursed my lips at him. “Stop it.”
“Stop what?” he asked, a wry smile on his face as he pushed harder between my legs and they fell apart slightly. His fingers took immediate advantage of the movement and they ran up and down my inner thigh under my skirt. I held my breath as they drew dangerously high.
“You know what?” I frowned at him. “You just got here. Stop it.”
“Stop what?” He laughed and then looked away from me as a waitress approached the table.
“Hi, I’m Madeline. I’ll be taking care of you today.”
“Why, thank you,” TJ said as he grinned at her. “I do enjoy being taken care of.”
“Then I’m glad I’m here.” Madeline flirted back with him and I watched as she tossed her long raven hair back and pushed her ample bust forward. I glanced up at her face with a slight glare and felt my resolve failing as I looked at her face properly. She was gorgeous, her skin was smooth and her eyes were a sparkling, vibrant blue. She had fine features and perfect lips. And she was petite. She looked like the perfect woman. I felt jealousy searing through me as I gazed at her staring at TJ and TJ staring back into her eyes with a wide, genuine smile. His fingers were still on my legs, but were moving in a haphazard fashion as he glanced at her. I could feel my stomach churning and I felt my good mood vanishing.
“Would you like a drink, sir?” she asked, her voice melodic.
“What would you recommend?” He leaned back and moved his hand away from my leg.