“Those are good things.”
“I know, but she tends to overdo it.”
She watched as Colin’s gaze moved from one plate to the next, and she pointed at the tilapia. “I think my mom made this one special for you. It’s just baked fish, with tomatoes, olives, and raisins. Go ahead and serve up.”
He took a couple of filets and added some salad to his plate; she also took one of the filets and salad, but added half an enchilada. The rest remained untouched. When Colin tasted the fish, he tapped his fork against his plate.
“This is unbelievable,” he said. “No wonder she’s the boss.”
“She is good.”
“Can you cook like this?”
She shook her head. “I wish. I’m not nearly as good as my mom, but I started in the kitchen and I learned the basics on how to make everything. I enjoyed it, too, but after a while, my parents thought it would be better if I learned to wait tables. They thought that being forced to talk to strangers would help me overcome my shyness.”
“Again with the shy?”
“Obviously, in your estimation, it worked. And if you’re curious, I’m an excellent waitress.”
He laughed, and for the next hour they bounced from one subject to another – their favorite movies and the places they one day wanted to visit; he told her a bit more about his family and she did the same. Whenever she spoke, he listened with quiet concentration, his eyes never leaving hers. The conversation was easy and unforced, but through it all, she couldn’t help feeling that he actually cared about everything she was saying. Despite her family’s presence and the conversations drifting from other tables, their lunch together felt strangely intimate. By the time her parents dropped by their table a second time – and despite her mother’s disappointment at how little either of them had eaten – Maria felt strangely relaxed and content.
After a series of warm good-byes, they drove back to the office, the old Camaro playing along perfectly. There, Colin walked her to the entryway, and when he slipped his hand into hers a second time, all she could think was how utterly natural it felt. At the entrance, she felt him tug gently, willing her to stop.
“What time on Saturday?” she asked, turning to him.
“I have a training session at four that ends at six, so how about I pick you up at your place around seven thirty? We’ll have dinner first, and then head out?”
“Sounds great,” she said. “What kind of training session?”
“Striking and ground work,” he said. “Ground work is like wrestling.”
“Can anyone watch?”
“I guess so,” he said. “I’m sure the gym owner wouldn’t mind, but I’d have to ask.”
“Would you?”
“Why? Do you want to come?”
“Since we’re going dancing, I might as well watch you doing something you enjoy, too.”
He didn’t hide his surprise. “Okay,” he said. “But I’ll have to head home to clean up before we go out, so is it okay if you meet me at the gym?” When she nodded, he gave her the name of the gym, and she jotted her home address on the back of her business card.
He slipped her card into his pocket and before she even realized what was happening, he was leaning in, his lips meeting hers. The kiss was gentle, and though it wasn’t as electrifying as their kiss of the previous Sunday, there was something warm and reassuring about it. Suddenly it didn’t matter what her parents might think. Here and now, Colin was the only thing that mattered, and when he pulled back, she found herself wishing that it had lasted a little longer. In that instant, however, she saw movement in her peripheral vision, and when she focused on it, she registered that Ken had rounded the corner – no doubt after parking on the other side of the building – and was standing motionless, watching them from a distance. She felt herself stiffen and Colin followed her gaze.
“Is that him?” he asked, his voice low. “Ken?”
“Yes,” she said, and she watched as his expression suddenly went hard. He didn’t separate from her, but his attention zeroed in on Ken. Though he didn’t squeeze her hand, she could feel the tension in it, a coiled, deep-seated violence held in check by a thread. She wasn’t afraid, but she had the sudden certainty that up close, Ken definitely would be.
Ken continued to watch them. It was a standoff of sorts, and still Colin continued to stare, turning to face her again only after Ken turned away. He kissed her again, this time with a trace of possessiveness, before pulling back.
“Don’t let him bother you. He’s not worth it,” she said.
“He’s bothering you.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“I still don’t like him.”
“Is that why you kissed me again?”
“No.”
“Then why did you do it?”
“I like you,” he answered.
His comment – so direct, so obviously truthful – made her stomach do that ridiculous flip-flop again, and it was all she could do not to grin like a fool.
“What are you doing tonight and Friday?”
“I have plans with Evan and Lily.”
“Both nights?”
“Yes.”
“What are you doing?”
“I don’t want to tell you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want to tell you that, either.”
She squeezed his hand before letting go. “I know you’re telling the truth, but you’re not really saying anything. Should I be worried? Are you going out with someone else?”