“Hey. Yeah, I guess great minds do think alike.” On a tilt of my head, I stare at him as I feel the corners of my mouth start to rise into a pleased smile. I didn’t anticipate seeing Javier today, but now that I have, the butterflies flying around in my stomach are making me giddy.
“Here you go, Sydney,” Hattie says, pulling my attention back to her as she hands me my debit card and my order.
“Thanks, Hattie. See you next week.” I grab my tray and turn to find a seat as Javier makes the decision for me.
“Come sit.” He waves me over as I close the distance between us on shaky legs. He’s inviting me to share a meal with him out in public, which is both alarming and confusing.
Isn’t this clearly against the rules of our arrangement? Won’t the two of us being seen together start to raise suspicion from people all over town? My family is very well known, and I can’t speak for Javi, but something tells me this meal we’re about to share could become juicy gossip.
Standing in front of his table, staring down at him, I ask, “Are you sure? Why are you alone anyway? Don’t your co-workers usually join you for lunch?” My heads twists on my neck trying to search out his friends.
“Sit down, Sydney.” The harshness of his reply almost makes me want to turn him down just to spite him, but the woman inside of me who is starting to yearn for this man in more ways than one listens and sits down softly in the chair across from him.
The customers in Russo’s Deli continue to mill around us while I ruminate on how my day has turned around drastically. Javier stares at me from across the table, finishing his bite before he finally responds.
“Trilch and Cory wanted to go to Max’s Cantina down the road for burritos. I wasn’t feeling Mexican food today, so I came here.”
“Oh. Well, I’m always in the mood for Russo’s, so you can never go wrong with that choice,” I agree as I start to unwrap my sandwich. “I have to ask though,” I whisper now while leaning in closer over the table, “isn’t us being seen together in public against the rules?”
Javi lifts one brow as he purses his lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re just two old friends who are sharing a meal.”
“Oh. Okay then.” I fight my smile as I take a bite of my sandwich and let out an audible moan.
“But if you’re going to continue to eat your sandwich like that, I’m gonna make you pay for it later.” The insinuation behind his words has me clenching my thighs together under the table. God, will I ever stop reacting to this man in that way?
“I’ll try to behave myself.”
“That’s all I’m asking.” His stoic face continues to focus on me and then his eyes dip down to my sandwich. “Are you eating a vegetarian sub?”
I finish chewing and then answer. “Yes. It’s my favorite thing on the menu. Sometimes I’m just not in the mood for meat.”
“I don’t think that’s true.” Javi’s mischievous grin flashes across our table as my core begins to throb at the thought of his meat.
“Is this entire lunch going to be filled with sexual innuendos?”
“You’re just making it too easy, Princess. But no. I can try to keep it PG if you insist.” He reaches for his drink, quenching his thirst as I watch his lips curl around his straw. Damn him and that mouth. I know exactly what that mouth is capable of.
Needing to change the subject to distract myself, I clear my throat and then ask, “So where are you working today?” I pop a salt and vinegar potato chip in my mouth, hoping that Javi will engage in conversation with me and not just sit here in silence.
“Down off Main Street. There’s a new row of shops going in and Gibson Construction won the bid, so we’re trying to knock those out between waiting on inspections on the houses we’re putting up in the Ashwood community.”
“My friend, Ally, lives out there. It’s a really nice neighborhood, great for raising a family.”
“Sure.” Javi takes another bite of his sandwich, halting the conversation. “So, how’s work going today?”
A lengthy sigh leaves my lips as I lean back in my chair. “Today’s my long day. I stay late on Wednesdays to try to catch up on paperwork and prepare for Thursdays and Fridays. I have court tomorrow, so I need to make sure everything is ready to go.”
“Does the stress of your job get to you? I couldn’t imagine being stuck at a desk all day or arguing with people nonstop. I would go insane.” Javier chuckles lightly and the sound makes me smile at him appreciatively.
“Yes and no. There are days where I’m stuck inside, but that’s why I try to go out for lunch, so I can get a break. Then running back and forth between the courthouse makes some days go by in a blur. But when I’m on my game, when I’m checking off items with accuracy and helping people, it reminds me it’s all worth it.”
“Your enthusiasm tells me you enjoy it.”
“I truly do. But I also make sure to plan things to look forward to so I don’t feel like all I do is work. Life can get draining if that’s all you pour your energy into. You have to remember to enjoy life too. I learned that the hard way my first year out of law school. I worked myself to death, and my dad actually sat down with me and talked about the importance of balance.”
Javier seams to perk up a bit at this turn in the conversation, adjusting himself in his seat. “So … what do you do for fun then? What does Sydney Matthews like to do in her spare time besides scream my name?”
