Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train #2)(21)

“Yeah, yeah, sorry.” Angelo fumbled with two menus before handing them over to the seating hostess. “Have a good dinner.”

“Thanks,” I grumbled. I could feel his heated gaze on me as we made our way through the packed restaurant. Boisterous conversations and clanging silverware assaulted my ears. The hostess escorted us over to a secluded corner booth. Candles burned in the red votive candles, giving off the highest romantic vibe. “Enjoy your meal,” she smiled at Mia before glancing over at me.

“Thank you, Gabriella.”

Once we were alone, I motioned for Mia to sit. After she slid across the leather booth seat, I also sat. “AJ, I—” She nibbled her bottom lip nervously.

“Look, for the record, I have nothing against gay people—hell, my brother, Antonio, has been out since he was fifteen. What I do have a problem with is you skewing my image for your benefit.”

“I know, I know. And I’m truly sorry. But you have to know what it’s like to a have a big family all up in your business, right?”

“Yeah, try having the world all up in your business.”

She nodded. “Since Dev and I broke up, everyone, from my father to my uncles to the freakin’ bus boys, have been on me to date. Think of it like Dee’s behavior but on Italian steroids.”

Even though I was still pissed, my lips turned up in amusement at her description. I didn’t expect her to reach across the table for my hand. “I just wanted to try to enjoy tonight without all the other bullshit hassle, okay?”

“Whatever. I still don’t like it,” I replied glumly, before glancing down at the menu.

When she tugged my hand, I met her mischievous gaze. “I could promise to make it up to you later,” she suggested coyly.

My brows rose in surprise. “Just what did you have in mind?”

Tilting her head, she tapped her finger on her chin. “Maybe some special attention…of the oral kind?”

I opened my mouth but a waiter, who couldn’t have been more than twenty, appeared at the table. “Hiya, Mia, sorry to interrupt.”

Pink tinged Mia’s cheeks. “Hi Pauley.”

Glancing between them, I said, “Lemme guess. He’s one of your cousins?”

Pauley bobbed his head as he sat down two glasses of water. “First cousins. My dad and Duke are brothers.” He eyed me suspiciously for a moment. “Hey, I know you—you’re the guy in the band. Uncle Duke calls you Drummer Boy, always tells us to give you the best cut of meat.”

I laughed. “Yep, that’s me.”

With a grin, Pauley held out his hand. “Pauley Martinelli.”

“AJ Resendiz.” I paused before adding, “Mia’s gay friend.”

Mia had just taken a sip of water, and my comment sent her hacking and sputtering. “Sorry,” she replied in a strangled voice as she mopped up the water.

Rubbing her back, Pauley asked, “You okay, cuz?”

“Fine.”

“Good. Thanks.”

When he was sure Mia was okay, he took out his envelope. “Since you both are regulars, I’m guessing I don’t need to go through all the house specials and stuff, huh?”

“No, that won’t be necessary,” I replied.

“So the usual for you Mia—the Sicilian Special along with a glass of Prosecco?” Pauley questioned.

Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Mia replied, “Erm, no, I’ll have the Prosecco, but give me the Chicken Caesar Salad instead.”

As Pauley’s brows rose in surprise, I cleared my throat. “Give her what she usually has.” Mia opened her mouth to protest, but I held up a hand to silence her. “Please do not be one of those chicks who thinks she can’t eat around a guy. I like a girl with a hearty appetite.”

Mia glanced from me to Pauley and gave a quick bob of her head. He grinned. “All right then. And you, AJ?”

“Sirloin, medium rare with pasta.”

“Got it. I’ll bring out your wine and bread in just a sec.”

“Thank you.”

Once Pauley was out of earshot, Mia narrowed her eyes at me. “It wouldn’t have killed me to have a salad, you know.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want you to ever change who you are or what you like for me.” At her skeptical expression, I added, “I like you just the way you are—physically and personality wise.”

“Really?”

“Hell yeah. But you wanna know what I like the most about you?”

“The fact I’ll let you bang me on a limo floor?”

I snickered. “That’s a good one but no. What I like the most about you is how real you are—inside and out. The business I’m in—it’s nothing but fake people twenty-four-seven, who will say and do anything to impress you or get you to do what they want.”

Mia tilted her head, taking in my words. “I see now why you like this place so much. If my family is one thing, it’s completely and totally real.”

“Exactly.”

As we fell into silence, Mia stood up. “I think after our limo exertions, I better go freshen up.”

I gave her a wicked grin. “I should do the same.”

I followed her to the restrooms. I finished before she did and returned to the table. She was just coming back when Pauley returned with our drinks and a basket of garlic knots. With my stomach grumbling, I quickly snatched one up and scarfed it down. “So,” I began after I finished chewing.