Page 57 of Who's Loving You

“Three hours and mushrooms and black olives on the pizza, please.”

I inhale and counter, “Three hours and you get the pizzaplusdessert.”

“I’ll get two desserts. Now go on and get your pretty little butt home and change into something comfortable…and sexy.”

“I’ll wear a muumuu and support pantyhose.”

“Ooo baby. I love it when you talk sexy to me.” I shake my head and chuckle, despite my brain telling medon’t do it.

He shuts the door and watches me drive off. I know he watches me because I watch him in my rearview.

When I get home, I quickly wash my face, change into shorts and an oversized crew neck and pull my hair back into my short ponytail that basically looks like a stiff broom. Nothing revealing nor sexy. But when Nic showed up –two pizzas, a giant cookie pizza and sodas in hand– he looked at me like I was standing in a skimpy bra and lace thong.

He didn’t throw out any cheesy pick up line, or make a lewd gesture or comment. Something I expected from him. No, he simply smiled, roamed his eyes up my bare legs to my bare face, and exhaled a deep breath. Not only did he make me feel desired –something that I haven’t felt in a very long time– but we actually had a good night.

We ate too much pizza and dessert, and we laughed as we watched a movie that we both discovered was a favorite of ours.

I was kind of disappointed when the night came to an end with him leaving at the three hour mark like he agreed to. It’s weird, but I wished he would’ve overstayed his visit. I wasn’t about to tell him that, but it didn’t stop me from wishing for it.

Before I shut the door on our evening, I bit my lip watching him walk away. When he turned around with his winning smile and a wink, I quickly steeled my face and gave him a short wave. When I closed myself in, safe from his charm, I banged my head against the door, scolding myself for wanting something I shouldn’t.

And Idefinitelyshouldn’t have dreamt about him when I closed my eyes.

19

NICO

Pain in my ass: Are you accompanying me to next weekend's game in Cali?

Me: I think I’m going to take a break from traveling. I could use some time to just chill.

Pain in my ass: But mi Reina, you can visit your family. We aren’t too far from their town, and I can set aside some tickets for you all.

Me: I’m sorry. Did I give you the impression that I miss or want to see my family?

Pain in my ass: Well…don’t you?

Me: There’s a reason why I live threestates away.

Pain in my ass: Have they done something to you? Did someone hurt you? Tell me and I’ll beat them into the ground. With your permission, of course.

Me: No. Nothing like that. They’re just a bit intrusive. My mom and sisters think I need to find a husband and are constantly implying what a disappointment I am since I’m not already married and knocked up. I don’t need to be reminded of that. My mother’s weekly text with available men in the greater Los Angeles area are plenty.

Pain in my ass: Mi tesoro. You won’t have to worry about that this time. I’ll be there. Your handsome, charming and talented boyfriend.

Me: *Fake boyfriend*. They will drill you with questions, then start measuring you for a tux. I promise, you don’t want that.

Pain in my ass: Bring on the 20 questions. And I’ll have my measurements done so they won’t have to worry about it. Besides, don’t they know about me already? I mean, we’re all over the tabloids and internet.

Me: No, they don’t. I haven’t told them and they don’t involve themselves in my profession. It’s not something they support. And no one in my family watches football, so they won’t know who you are or that we’re “dating”.

Pain in my ass: Well I think we should change that. Please come with me?

Me: No.

Pain in my ass: Pleeeease.

Me: What’s that?