Page 51 of Army
“Noe? He’s one of my brother’s best friends. He’s been part of our family for years. Noe’s like a cousin.”
“He doesn’t think that.”
“He’s fine. I haven’t seen him in quite a while. Like I said, he’s Vic’s friend. They go back since grade school.” Her fingers curled around the steering wheel, and she turned on the radio.
Army reached over and turned the volume down. “Are you seeing him?”
“Ugh … I just told you he’s passing through. Anyway, you and I are only on our second date.”
“I just wanna know if I got competition.” He settled back. “Not that it matters.”
“You don’t, but the way you acted earlier, I’m not sure if I want to hang out with you anymore.”
Army leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek. “You want to. You’re pissed at me, and I get it. I was a fuckin’ prick.”
“No argument from me.” She turned left into the parking lot of Big Bobby’s Burgers. As they walked hand in hand toward the entrance, Army stopped and yanked her to him and gave her a hard kiss.
“Don’t stay mad at me for too long, babe.” He pulled away then grasped her hand again, and they walked inside the eatery.
The hostess sat them at a booth and handed them two menus, then walked away. Army put his down and sank into the black leather cushion behind him, his gaze fixed on her.
“Do you already know what you want?” Mia asked.
“A double bacon cheeseburger with barbecue sauce and jalapeños.”
“Is that what you always order?”
“Since I was a kid—only back then it was a single not a double. You look beautiful.”
She glanced up and met his intense gaze, then looked back down at the selections. “Flattery will get you some points, but I’m still not feeling all warm and fuzzy yet.”
“Did you last night?”
“Yeah. I guess that’s why the way you acted surprised … no … disappointed me. I just don’t know why—”
“Do you want something to drink?” The waitress gave Army a toothy grin.
He gestured to Mia. “Take her order first.”
The woman looked startled as if just realizing that someone other than Army was at the table. She turned to Mia, the smile replaced by a dour expression. “What do you want?”
“A Diet Coke.”
The waitress looked over at Army and smiled. “Let me guess—a shot of whiskey or a good stout.”
Army laughed. “A double Jack.”
Smiling like she was on a damn toothpaste commercial, her dark curls swayed as she shook her head. “I knew it. You definitely look like a Jack man—rugged and tough.”
“Why don’t you take our dinner order too?” Mia asked.
Without looking at her, the waitress patted Army’s hand. “Is that what you want me to do?”
“That’s whatIwant you to do,” she replied. Army’s lips twitched as if he were trying to suppress a smile, and if Mia wasn’t so hungry, she’d have taken off right then and there.He thinks I’m jealous because the waitress is flirting with him. I’m so not.What irked her was the way the twenty-something-year-old woman ignored her.Why do so many women diss each other when a man is around?
“Take my date’s order,” Army said.
Mia snapped her gaze to him.Didn’t expectthat. She thought for sure he’d play along with the server because that’s what ego driven men did, right?
