Just Be True To Me

He smiled. “You can have this one if you want.”

“Just when I was starting to think of you as a gentleman, the asshole shows up.”

“Right in the nick of time.”

Mia hesitated as they walked past the hostess. She continuing following him, fully aware of all the eyes on them as they continued toward the back of the restaurant. Sitting in the chair he pulled out, she wasted no time in hiding her face behind the menu. He was texting when she peeked over the top. “Can we switch?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I like to be able to see the door.” He glanced at her. “I need to see when danger is coming.” He placed the phone on the table face down. “My guy is on his way to get your car.” He twirled his finger in the air, getting the attention of the waiter. “We’ll have two fried chicken dinners with my usual sides. I’d like a water with lemon.”

“I’ll take a Sprite.”

***

His phone captured his attention once more. Feeling his forehead fold, he made a conscious effort to keep his face neutral. Maria was on another one of her tirades. It was a rare occasion in which he entertained her.

You never have any time for me.

I’m a busy man. You know that. Sometimes things come up. My businesses don’t run themselves.

I just thought I was important.

He scoffed. “Yeah right.”

“Girlfriend issues? That woman’s intuition is a bi*ch.”

He looked up. “She’s not my girlfriend. Just someone—”

“You use when you’re bored,” she said. “And I don’t appreciate you ordering for me. I’m a grown woman. I can order for myself.”

“You sound like her.” Again, the statement, as were all things he did, was strategic. He wanted to see her reaction. In dealing with anyone, man or woman, he needed to know their triggers. In identifying them, he was able to more accurately determine their motives and agendas. He was careful in classifying it not as a lack of trust, but rather a way to get a leg up. She was an opponent, another person looking to expose him; something he couldn’t—wouldn’t—allow to happen.

“So she’s your girlfriend?”

A good return.

“No. I’m single as single can be. She knows that and she has fully accepted her position.”

***

Mia chuckled to herself. She picked up the glass as soon as the waiter set it down. Her eyes rolled as the cool liquid cascaded down her throat. She continued to suck until only half remained. On cue, the waiter brought another. Her thirst quenched, she leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest. She looked over him, paying special attention to the way his sweater gripped his arms and chest. Despite being covered, they still sparked her imagination.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Why do assume anything is on my mind?”

“You’re clenching your teeth. I noticed you do that when you’re thinking.” Without warning, he held her face in his left hand, using his right to remove a piece of lint hanging from her eyelash. “You have no idea how much that was bothering me. Much better.”

The waiter had returned with their food, helping to distract her from the fact that it was the first time he’d touched her in a non-professional manner.

Clifford cut into the large slab of chicken, adding salt and pepper to the bit on his fork before popping it into his mouth. He glanced towards the door every few seconds. Noticing that Mia was watching, he redirected his attention her. “You never answered my question?”

“What question?” she asked between bites.

“What was on your mind?”

How soft your hand is. After swallowing, she wiped her mouth and washed down the food with a splash of Sprite. She didn’t really give much effort to trying to remember, but it was true when she said she didn’t. When it appeared that he moved on from the inquiry, she snapped her fingers. “Your girlfriend. Your play thing, I should say. I was wondering what men in your position look for in a woman since you can buy anyone you want.”

“I don’t think I can buy you.”

Their eyes met. She was the first to look away. Still able to feel his eyes, she feigned a cough, turning her head away from him. It was too late. Her mind had latched onto the comment. She had always been an over thinker, especially when it came to men. The quality had been more than essential in her becoming one of the best in her position. Her eye for detail kept her a step ahead in the courtroom.

Outside of it, it caused her unnecessary stress and pain. In a relationship, she was prone to analyzing everything—the things said, the meaning behind them—she was always looking for the hidden message, creating one where one didn’t seem to exist.

The same was happening in the very moment. What any normal woman would have considered to be an admission of respect, she took as flirtation.

Her insecurities began to whisper in her ear.

Why would he possibly want you? You’re nothing like the women he’s used to taking advantage of.

Her defensive mechanism, arrogance, stepped in.

“You’re right about that. Bill Gates couldn’t afford me. Scratch that. No man can afford me.” She poked her lips out a bit more than normal as she sucked from her straw.

His eyes lowered, the right side of his mouth cocked upward. “Everybody has a price.”

“Is that a challenge?” she asked. “You may not know this, but I’m very competitive.”

“Oh, I have no doubt. And no, it wasn’t a challenge. I was just speaking a truth.”

It was on once more, the mental sparing match. They both distanced themselves from each other as much as their chairs would allow. Clifford wore an easy smile, Mia’s face straight. Underneath the table, he pushed his foot into hers. She didn’t budge. She rested her forearms on either side of her plate, pulling the table cloth taut, more of it spilling on her side. He scooted his chair forward so that their knees touched. Again, she didn’t retreat.