I shook my head at myself as I continued walking, nearing the restaurant. I knew I was living in the clouds. Life wasn’t like the movies. I wasn’t going to be able to fix him and make him fall in love with me. Stuff like that just didn’t happen. Least of all to people like me. But that didn’t stop me from hoping. That didn’t stop me from wishing that I could somehow figure out what made him tick and in doing so make him fall head over heels in love with me. That would be amazing. Not realistic, but definitely amazing.
I giggled as I walked into the restaurant, feeling light-hearted and giddy as I felt my heart racing. I was about to see TJ and that always made me feel awesome. I used to live for seeing him every few months; now I got to see him every day.
The host greeted me with a big smile. “Good evening, ma’am. Do you have a reservation?”
“Yes—well, not me.” I laughed. “I’m meeting someone here. I think he has the reservation.”
“What’s his name?” He smiled at me warmly. “Let’s see if he’s here yet.”
“TJ Walker,” I said, grinning.
“I see his reservation, but he hasn’t checked in as yet. We can definitely seat you while you wait, though. Would you like that, madam?”
“Mila.” I smiled at him sweetly. “And yes, please, that would be amazing. Thank you.”
“Oh, you’re very welcome.” He nodded and looked back down at his podium. “One moment, please.”
“Oh, of course.” I smoothed my skirt down and pulled out my lipstick so that I could reapply it. I wasn’t sure why I felt so nervous, but I wanted to look pretty for TJ. Like, really pretty. I wanted him to walk in and look at me and think to himself, Wow, Mila is just gorgeous. How did I get so lucky to be having dinner with her? I mean, it was a pipedream—he’d never really given me a look like that before—but that didn’t stop me from hoping.
“This way, ma’am.” He came towards me. “Just follow me.”
“Sure.” I smiled and followed behind him. We approached a table and as the ma?tre d’ was about to pull my chair out, a handsome man jumped up from the table next to mine and pulled it out for me.
“Good evening.” He gave me a wide smile and a wink as he stood behind me.
“Evening.” I smiled at him, feeling a bit shy as he pushed my chair in. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I see a beautiful woman and I can’t stop myself,” he said. “I’m Will, by the way.”
“Mila.” I held my hand out to him.
“A beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”
“Oh.” I blushed, not knowing what to say.
“I’ll just leave the wine menu with you,” the ma?tre d’ said and beamed at us both as he backed away.
“Dining alone?” Will asked me hopefully, his eyes a piercing navy blue in his handsome face.
I shook my head. “No, I’m waiting on someone.”
“Would you like company while you wait?” he asked, showing his perfect white teeth. His dark gold hair was cut perfectly and shone on top of his head as he waited for my answer. I blushed again, still not knowing what to say. I was taken aback that this gorgeous man was asking to sit with me and was flirting with me.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” I shook my head again and stared at his perfect navy, pinstriped suit. I was still in internal shock that he was talking to me. I wasn’t used to men just coming up to me; especially not distinguished, handsome men like him.
“It would be my pleasure.” He took a seat next to me. “I’m dining alone, so I’d be happy to keep you company until your girlfriend gets here.”
“Oh, it’s a male friend.” I blushed, wondering why I hadn’t said fiancé. Maybe because it felt like too much of a lie.
“I guess that was pretty obvious that I was fishing, huh?” He laughed.
“Fishing?” I asked dumbly, not sure what he was saying.
“For information. You know, to see if you’re single.” He leaned forward and adjusted his tie. “Though that would’ve been too much to ask. Have a beautiful single woman just fall into my lap.”
“Oh, ha ha.” I laughed uncomfortably. I’d never had a guy come on to me so strongly before.
“So, not single?” he asked more directly, his eyes light as he chuckled.
“Um, yes, no—kinda.” I laughed at the confusion on his face. “It’s kinda complicated.”
“I can work with complicated.” He winked and then leaned back. “And in case you were wondering, I’m single.” He grinned. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Oh. I shouldn’t.” I shook my head, feeling slightly dazed and confused, and a little proud of myself. I had to be looking pretty good if this handsome man was spending so much time flirting with me and offering to buy me a glass of wine.
“Don’t you drink?” he asked curiously.
“Oh, I do, but like I said, I’m waiting on someone.”
“He’s not a very good someone, though, is he?” Will looked at me and frowned. “He’s got you sitting here waiting on him.”