Page 22 of Angelic Vengeance

She rolled her eyes, trying to hide a smile. “I’m serious. You should really give him a chance.”

I groaned. “Why?”

Natalia cleared her throat, making it a point to actively count the reasons off on her hand, “One: he’s hot. Two: he’s rich. Three: he’s crazy about you–”

“He’s not. He just wants to fuck me.”

“And maybe you should let him!” She laughed. When my face remained unimpressed, she sighed and gave me a pity look. “I mean… Are you still a virgin?”

“Nothing changed between today and the last time you asked me yesterday.” When she returned the unimpressed face, I felt personally attacked. “I have my reasons, okay!”

“Mhm. Sure. And what are they?”

I didn’t have a good past. Natalia knew some of it, but not all. I hadn’t had the best experience with men, and now as a twenty-one-year-old grown woman, I wasn’t dying to gain more. The idea of allowing someone to see me at my most vulnerable went against everything I believed in. How was I supposed to remain apathetic and cold during sex?I wasn’t a literal psychopath…

Having sex meant trusting the other person. I didn’t think I was there yet. Or anywhere close.

I could never look Natalia in the eyes and lie, so I stared out of the restaurant window. “I’m waiting for someone special.”

“Girl, please. That’s so not it–”

“Really? Then who was your first?” I smirked when she remained silent. “See? You won’t even tellme, your literal soul mate. I mean how bad could it have been?”

She sighed. “Look, all I’m saying is, you’re twenty-one, Maria. You’re supposed to date, have fun… I’m not saying to go and sleep with the whole NYU football team, but you should go on a date once in a while.”

“But–” I tried arguing.

“No ‘buts’. You’re not even trying.” She exaggerated the fact with her hands. “There’s an attractive man who’s dying to take you out on a date.” Leaning over the table, she cupped my face in her manicured hands. “Let. Him.” Then she smirked and leaned back into her chair.

“I’m not promising anything.”

“Just promise you’ll be a little more open-minded.”

I sighed. “Fine. I’ll be more open to theideaof dating. But I amnotgoing out with Zachary.”

“You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you,” She leaned over the table again, “Whydon’tyou like him?”

“I don’t know him!”

“That’s why he’s asking you on a date! You know he’ll just keep asking you, right?” She shrugged, reading through the specials.

“What’s up with that, by the way?” I smacked my hand on the table. “He’s so persistent.”

Natalia froze, pursing her lips. She gave me a quick look before looking back down.

My mouth dropped open. “What did you do?”

“Well…”

“Natalia!”

“Francesca might’ve mentioned to Zachary how he is your type… Physically, speaking.”

“Oh my God.” I couldn’t believe what she was saying.

“And… Kali and I might’ve mentioned that we thought you two would have really cute babies.”

I gasped. This was beyond embarrassing.