Page 21 of The Rebel

“Thank you.”

After she left, I focused on my plate. Six huge tacos with a side of fried rice and beans. Goodness, that was generous—we could’ve split this.

“Which are your favorites?” I asked.

“Pork.”

“Usually, I like beef the most, but let’s see what the verdict is on this.” I bit into my first taco and instantly did a little dance inher seat. “Oh, Anthony, you really are good at picking restaurants.”

“Not Antonio?” he challenged, a flirty smile playing on his lips and a sparkle in his eyes.

I swallowed hard, grabbing another taco instead of answering. Thankfully, he didn’t press the issue.

I glanced up and realized he was still watching me. The intensity in his gaze took me by complete surprise. I’d pay a penny or two for his thoughts. I wasn’t quite finding my footing when it came to interacting with him, but maybe things would become easier as time went on.

“This is definitely one of my top taco restaurants,” I informed him after the third one. “Though I’m already a bit full.”

“Don’t let Mercedes hear you say that. She’ll go on another tirade about how people these days don’t enjoy food anymore. They just think about calories.”

I laughed. “She’s onto something. But this is actually quite a big portion for lunch. I’ll go straight into a food coma if I eat all this.”

“Don’t worry. Your boss won’t get mad at you,” Anthony said as he bit into his last taco.

“My boss seems surprisingly friendly. Considering…” My voice faded. What was I about to say? Considering he seemed to be stone-cold when I stepped into his office this morning?

Anthony put his half-eaten taco down. “As I said, I’ve got some things to make up for.”

I wondered what that meant. Was he just making an effort to be extra nice to me right now because he realized he was short with me earlier? Would he go back to being steely once we were back at the office? That couldn’t be. He seemed genuine right now.

Then again, he seemed very genuine this morning at the coffee shop as well, until he saw me on his couch.

But something told me this was the real Anthony LeBlanc—or, as Mercedes would say, Antonio.

As I focused on my last taco, I wondered if we’d eat together every time we were out of the office. After I finished eating, I downed the rest of the Coke, feeling completely stuffed.

Anthony immediately rose from the table. “I’m going inside to pay, and then we can head to the office.” He spoke rather briskly, which took me by surprise. He’d seemed very laid-back before, as if we weren’t on the clock.

“Sure. Should I give you?—”

“No, of course not. This is on me.”

“Thank you, Anthony.”Probably a business expense.

He was in and out of the restaurant in minutes.

“That was quick.”

“Mercedes is very efficient. She offers this platter at lunch so people don’t waste her time deciding what to order.”

“She’s a spitfire. I’ll definitely come back here.”

“Whenever you’re in the mood for tacos, let me know and I’ll bring you here.”

“Why would you do that?”

He sucked in a breath, then swallowed hard. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “Because you’re fucking gorgeous, and?—”

I gasped, and he stopped abruptly and closed his eyes. A few seconds later, he opened them slowly, looking at the ground as if trying to brace himself.