“Shit happens, Lila.” She glanced up in time to see the unsympathetic shrug. “You go out and get that stupid drunk; you never know how the night’s gonna end. They’re lucky it wasn’t worse. VIP areas don’t usually have a lot of security. They’re usually at the door, in this case downstairs, to make sure no one sneaks in. They don’t expect many getting out of hand and risk getting thrown out or banned. Those girls are lucky I noticed I missed a digit in your phone number and rushed out to look for you before you left.”
Unbelievably, for a moment, a smile almost slipped, but Lila caught herself. Only she still had to ask, as indifferently as she could of course. “You rushed out because of that?”
His intense expression eased up and he smiled. “Well, yeah. If you didn’t come back, how else would I have ever gotten in touch with my Cinderella?” He chuckled. “It’s how my running after you felt anyway. Like I was that close to losing my chance of getting to know the first girl in a long time who’d left that big of an impression on me. Only I didn’t even have a glass slipper that might lead me to you.”
Despite how sweetly he smiled and how kind he was being or maybe it was because of it, Lila couldn’t help feeling even more emotional. This was the kind of guy normal girls landed. The girlie girls with class who could handle their shit without resorting to violence.
“Hey.” He slipped his hand in hers, and she didn’t even snap her hand away. “What’s wrong? I’d ask if that’s the first fight you’ve ever been in, but I can’t imagine it was, given the way those girls got their asses handed to them.”
She shook her head, knowing he meant it as a bit of a compliment, but for her, it wasn’t, not after all these years of trying to better herself. Lila couldn’t even remember the last time she’d felt this emotional—it was maddening. But it was for more than one reason. For one, it terrified her that she’d been close to allowing herself to show any emotion aside from anger, especially to someone she barely knew. While it was mostly frustration he was seeing, even that she kept to herself. She could hardly believe she was in a car with a guy she’d just met, not just tolerating his fingers intertwining with hers, but liking it.
Her incredible disappointment that she’d lost it again clouded any excitement she might otherwise be feeling. Ironically, what was making her the most emotional was that Sonny had seen this ugly side of her and yet he was still there smiling and gazing at her the way he had earlier—before her outburst.
“I just,” she whispered, still unwilling to look him directly in the eyes. “Let’s just say I can be quick to snap. But I hadn’t in a long time, and I guess it pisses me off that I thought I was beyond letting bitch—” She cleared her voice. “Girls like that get to me.” She glanced up at him, trying not to frown. This was more than she’d ever shared with anyone, especially someone she’d just met. “I’ll get over it. I always do. No biggie.”
She glanced out the window, not wanting him to see how beyond disgusted with herself she was really feeling.
“You were provoked, Lila.” He squeezed her uninjured hand. “If anything, it would’ve been self-defense. Two girls came at you. You just did what you had to—reacted the way most would.”
“I have a sister,” she said, refusing to look back at him, but reminding herself there was no way he’d understand, and she wasn’t about to get into all that with him. “She’s younger and I need to set a better example. If I’d gotten arrested tonight, I wouldn’t have made it back to her tonight, and she’s not even feeling well.”
Lila shook her head as the reality sunk in about how bad this really could’ve been had Sonny not been there to get her out in time.
“Okay, but you said it’d been a long time, right?” His squeezing her hand had her turning to him again, and he smiled sweetly, moving a strand of hair away from her face. “So, you’ve proven you can do it. This was an unusual circumstance. It’s not like you snapped at someone who just cut you off in line at a store or something. You were attacked. It could’ve been anyone tonight. Even someone who’s never been in a fight in their life, would’ve been forced to defend themselves against those two drunk bitches. And it’s okay to call them that because it’s exactly what they are.”
Curious, suddenly she peered at him. “You really hung out with one of them?”
He winced. “Yeah, but just there at the club. And by hung out, I mean, once I bought her a drink, she clung to me the rest of the night. When I saw her tonight, I knew she’d likely do the same thing again. Only once I saw you, I knew nothing would stop me from trying to at least talk to you a little longer. Am I assuming too much?” He gazed at her a bit nervously. “You are single, right?”
Lila nodded, her heart going wild with equal parts of thrilling excitement and utter alarm. His relieved and somewhat vulnerable smile eased her, but just a tiny bit. “Does your sister need you home right now or do we have time to drive around? Maybe grab a bite to eat?”
“She’s asleep,” she heard herself say without thinking. “Took Nyquil and I’m sure will be out until morning.” She shook her head quickly, feeling like an idiot. “Not that I don’t have to be home until then. I just mean I don’t need to be home just yet.”
“Cool,” he said with another relieved smile. “You hungry? I know this really great steakhouse we can stop at.”
Lila shook her head, glancing down at her short T-shirt and jeans, already regretting saying she didn’t have to be home yet. “I’m not dressed for a steakhouse or feeling very hungry for that matter. I really do appreciate you saving me from all the trouble I would’ve been in tonight, but I think I should get home—”
“Lila, I don’t usually beg,” he said, squeezing her hand again. “In fact, I don’t think I ever have, but I’d be willing to if it’d get me a few more minutes with you. I feel completely responsible for what happened tonight. All I want is a chance to make up for it a little. I’ll be a perfect gentleman, scouts honor.”
He held up his three middle fingers, and for the first time since they’d made their escape, Lila smiled.
“I really was a boy scout,” Sonny said, tilting his head with a smirk. “Well, only for a year until I discovered . . .” He brought his fist to his mouth, clearing his throat for a second. “I discovered sports, but I really did take it seriously. How ’bout we just grab some coffee? Although a burger sounds even better, but that’s up to you.”
“A cheeseburger actually does sound good.” The words flew out of her mouth without thought again as they’d been doing all night.
This was not being cautious like she always said she’d be if she ever considered opening her heart again. What was she thinking? She didn’t even know this guy. Hell, she was in a car with two complete strangers. If she went missing, no one would have a clue whom she was with, not even Stacia.
“Great,” he said, and that smile alone was enough to have her feeling somewhat okay about this. “Any place in particular?”
“Jim’s,” she said immediately, “on First Street in Boyle Heights.”
Now she was using her head. The Jim’s on First Street was in her barrio. If she stayed close to home, at least she had a chance to make a run for it if she had to.
“Ooh.” He nodded with a smile. “I haven’t been there in a while, but I do remember their burgers being the best.” He directed his driver, whom Lila noticed wasn’t the same guy who’d been driving earlier, then turned back to her. “Is it okay if we just go through the drive-thru. I don’t think they have parking that’ll accommodate a car this long.”
Glancing up front at the driver, Lila then turned to Sonny curiously. “Why are you in a limo?”
His smile waned a bit; then he shrugged. “Just playing it safe. I don’t get together with my cousins too often. They’re a little younger than I am, so I thought it’d be fun to get a limo. No drinking and driving. This is really the driver. Earlier, my cousin just took the wheel for fun. That reminds me . . .” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I gotta let the
m know where I am and when I’ll be back.”
It suddenly dawned on her and she felt bad. “You’re gonna miss the concert,” she said, watching him text. “You don’t have to drive me around, Sonny. Just take me home and you can go—”
“Are you kidding me?” He looked up from his phone. “I can catch their show any time. Who knows when, if ever, you’ll give me a chance to hang out with you again?”
Again, her insides went a little crazy. This was no different from when she was angry. Despite her better judgment warning her to calm her too excitable heart, Lila was beginning to feel incapable of controlling this either. She gulped as he finished up his text and sent it. He was so different from any of the guys she’d ever gone out with. That was for sure. So much more sophisticated and put together. Even his phone looked more expensive than normal, and as perfectly groomed as his nails were, there was something so ruggedly masculine about him.
She didn’t want him to think she was one of those girls, the type that put so much weight on monetary things. Even though it was unlikely given his overall appearance, Lila could already tell it wouldn’t matter to her if he was a janitor. The thrill she was feeling just knowing he was interested in her would still be the same. She was just curious now.
“What is it you do for a living?”
That same expression she’d seen on him more than once tonight was back, the strange one she hadn’t been able to make out and still couldn’t. He stared at her for a moment then glanced out the window. “A lot of stuff. Advertising, investing, but I’ve done some modeling.” He turned to her with that same odd expression. “You said I looked familiar earlier; that might be why. I’ve been in a few magazines here and there.”
“Really?” This didn’t surprise Lila. The guy had the body and looks to model. “Maybe that’s it.”
She should’ve guessed as much. Lila shopped downtown all the time, and she’d seen enough of the fake Armani shirts to recognize the logo on his expensive-looking shirt. Just like his Louis Vuitton wallet, if she had to bet, this was one hundred percent authentic.
Before she could ask exactly what he modeled, his eyes were on her lips, making her breathing hitch. Then he smiled, gazing into her eyes. “So, tell me why’s a beautiful girl like you single? I was blown away the moment I laid eyes on you and you’re different.” She felt her brows jump; then he quickly added, “In a good way.”
Lila smiled nervously, incapable of holding the eye contact too long, and glanced away. “Thank you,” she said softly then shrugged, willing her hammering heart to calm down. “I guess I just haven’t been open to relationships for a while.” She turned back to see him apparently waiting for her to go on. “Long story, so I won’t bore you with the details, but I had a bad experience and haven’t been in a hurry to relive anything even remotely similar.”
“Got it,” he said with a nod. “But you wouldn’t be boring me if you wanna share. I’m actually curious now what I’m up against.” He gave her a sheepish smile. “Not to jump ahead of myself or anything, but I do like to be prepared. You seem like someone I’d definitely like to get to know better. Knowing what I should steer clear from doing or saying to make sure you’re not reminded of your bad experience might help me down the line. Something tells me I may eventually want to change your mind about relationships.”
Lila’s insides went a little crazy, and she smiled but had to glance away from his intense gaze. They reached Jim’s and pulled into the drive-thru. Both ordered the same thing—cheeseburger specials—except Sonny made his a double. Sonny directed the driver, for whom he also ordered a special, to drive them to Hollenbeck Park. “What do you know about Hollenbeck Park?” Lila asked curiously as she munched on one of her fries.
To her relief, they got off the subject of her bad experience before he could ask more about it. Instead, he told her about growing up in the area, but his work had him traveling a lot. “I’ve been gone for years, only coming home to visit temporarily, but I think I’ll be home more often now.”
“Home? Do you still live in this area?”
“Not in Boyle Heights.” He smiled, shaking his head. “But I do have family that still lives in the area, and my mom lives in Los Angeles but a little farther out this way. I love this area though. I have so many memories here. Love coming back here, and I’m glad my work has brought me back. I’ll be out here more often than I have in the past few years.”
“Yeah, I can’t imagine ever leaving,” she said, looking out the window at the waterfalls in the park’s lake. “But I wouldn’t mind living somewhere a little safer.”
She’d keep to herself about having lived in low-income housing all her life. No way was she getting that chummy. But she did tell him how her neighborhood could get rough, what with the gangbangers and such. He’d been gazing at her again. He wasn’t even eating his food; he was so busy hanging on her every word. “I worry about my sister. Ali’s not like me.”
That made him smile. “And what does that mean?”
Lila lifted and dropped a shoulder, taking a swig of her soda. “Unlike me, she’s never been in fights. Growing up, I made sure no one messed with her, and the ones that did . . .” She shook her head, slipping a fry in her mouth, then continued when she was done chewing. “The ones that did, never did again once I took care of them.”
“Tough girl, huh?”
“I’ve never been tough for the sake of being tough,” she explained, not happy that the conversation had gone there. “Like tonight, I just did what I had to. But I was never a bully. I hated fucki—”
Catching herself, she cleared her throat. This was probably the only thing she didn’t like about talking to Sonny. She’d only known him a few hours, and already she felt beneath him. Despite his showing an interest in her, she might blow any chance she might have with a decent guy like him because of her tendencies to act and speak like a ghetto rat.
“I hated bullies.” She took a frustrated bite of her cheeseburger to keep her foul mouth full for a while.
“I did too.” Sonny finally took a bite of his own cheeseburger, and they ate silently for a few minutes until he wiped his mouth. “So, you wanna tell me about your bad experience or is this too soon?”
Too soon? She wasn’t even sure what that meant, but it made her as uneasy as it strangely excited her. Only hell no, she wasn’t about to get into this. “I’d rather not.”
“That bad?”
Lila glanced up at him, once again surprised she wasn’t more annoyed by his intrusiveness as she’d normally be. “There’s just some things I don’t like talking about.”
“Fair enough, but can I at least ask how long it’s been?”
Taking another sip of her soda, Lila took a deep breath. Okay, maybe this guy could annoy her. Good to know. Maybe he didn’t have superpowers like she’d begun to think. “You always ask so many questions of someone you hardly know?”
“I said I wanted to get to know you.”
The amused tone was a little annoying too. Was he being a smartass now? “Yeah, well, when someone says they’d rather not talk about something, maybe you should just take the hint and drop it.”
“My bad. Maybe it is too soon.”
They went back to eating silently until she heard him mutter, “Shit.”
Lila glanced up to see him holding the ketchup pack to his burger, only instead of it squirting onto the burger, it squirted clear across his fancy shirt.
“Never fucking fails,” he said, putting his burger down and grabbing a napkin.
She refrained from laughing like she wanted to, but then he tried wiping it off and only made it worse. When he let his head fall, pressing his lips together, she couldn’t help laughing.
Jerking his head back up, he turned to her, and for the first time that night, he looked annoyed. “Are you laughing at me? This is a brand-new shirt.”
That made Lila laugh even more. She covered her mouth with her napkin before she spit anything up.
“I h
ave to have my shirts specially made because of my size, you know? It’s not cheap either.”
Lila couldn’t stop laughing now, especially when she saw him further smear it when he tried wiping again.
“Here,” she said after wetting a napkin with a water bottle. She reached over and did it herself, ignoring what touching his hard chest did to her. “You’re supposed to dab,” she said, refusing to look up and meet his eyes, but with her heart suddenly pounding she was done laughing. “Sorry I laughed,” she said when she’d cleaned him off as best as she could.
She finally looked up at him, and he was smiling now. “No worries. Sorry I pushed about your ex.”
Leaning back in her seat, Lila wiped her mouth because she was done eating. She was stuffed. “It’s been two years.” She looked up at him from the corner of her eyes. “He was a shitty boyfriend, who broke things off in an even shittier way, but I’m over it. Haven’t seen or talked to him in years, and I couldn’t care less about him now.”
Sonny crumpled the paper to his now gone cheeseburger and put it in the bag their food had come in, then wiped his mouth. “You don’t care about him anymore, but he’s the reason why you’ve sworn off relationships all this time?”
Lila shrugged, feeling a little foolish, but it was the truth. She was long over him. “I didn’t say I swore off relationships because of him. He’s just the reason I haven’t been eager to put myself out there again. Until a few months ago, I hadn’t even seen or talked him in years.”
“Where’d you see him a few months ago?”
“His sister and Ali are best friends. I picked up Ali at her house and he happened to be outside.” She rolled her eyes. “If it’d been up to me, I would’ve driven away when he started toward my car, but I was still waiting on Ali. It was a short conversation and I wasn’t very pleasant.’
That had Sonny smirking as if he knew exactly what she meant. “What’s this guy’s name?”
Narrowing her eyes, Lila lifted a brow. “Marcelo. But I’m done talking about him.”