"You're a swiftie?" Mia's brows rose in recognition as soon as the notes dropped.
"Yeah, sometimes," Rey said, unfazed. Mia's eyes widened as she raised her left hand to cover her mouth.
"I can't believe this! I'm a swiftie too!" Rey looked at her for a moment before turning back to the road.
Was it this easy to make her smile? The traffic lights signalled red, and he brought the car to a halt.
She was mouthing the lyrics and bobbing her head to the song. He stared at her through the side of his eyes, hooded low beneath his soft long lashes.
As though she felt his eyes on her, she turned to meet them already in her direction. He searched her eyes as they sparkled, then dropped his gaze, falling on her soft, lush red lips and back to her eyes. A human didn't have to be this beautiful.
At this moment, her excitement died away almost immediately. The song's lyrics froze on her tongue and she felt the sudden urge to move closer, like it was torment to be this close but yet so far apart.
The honking of cars behind tore their gaze apart. The traffic lights had turned green.
"Uhmm... it's starting to get too hot in her," she said, folding her fidgety fingers while trying to normalize her breathing, turning back towards the window.
A shiver ran through her as her nipples contracted, pressing against the soft fabric.
'My damn mind!' I wish I didn't have eyes She thought to herself, grinding her teeth in frustration
.
***
Reynold's car was in the parking lot of his favorite Italian restaurant by the time it was sunset. He had placed reservations for a table for two when they were still at the store.
'What more had he planned without my knowledge?' Mia wondered.
"Look who came today! It's Big Rey!" a big guy, well-built and about six and a few inches tall, came by with a menu, stretching forth his free hand to Rey for a handshake.
"Jimmy! What's up?" Rey's facial expression brightened subtly.
"I'm good, man! What have you been doing for a couple of days? You don't drop by in the afternoons anymore." Jimmy asked, with a little hint of his Italian accent, wearing a handsome dimpled smile.
"I've been a little busy, you know. Work and stuff."
"Who is the pretty lady, by the way?" Jimmy inquired, giving Mia a welcoming smile, and she uncomfortably waited for Rey to respond.
"That's Mia, my girlfriend," He paused, resting his right hand softly on her shoulders, as her heart danced loudly in her chest.
"Mia, meet Jimmy, a chef with exceptional skills from McGelato Italiano," he smiled in admiration at Jimmy.
"Jimmy, meet Mia." He added, gesturing towards them as he made formal introductions. "
Hi, Mia! Nice to meet you!" Jimmy said, looking pleased, as he offered her a handshake.
"Hello, Jimmy," Mia said, receiving him with a warm smile.
"I must say Big Rey here did a lot of flattering to get such beauty all to himself," He said, giving Rey a mischievous look and Mia feigned a broad smile.
"I hope to see you around again some other time when you come to visit. It's a pleasure to have you here," He grinned.
"Thank you, Jimmy!" She said, grinning rigidly at him, trying to ignore Rey's gaze wandering around her.
"You're welcome!" He replied, waving.
"So, what's for dinner? Your usual? Or would you go for a change?" He asked, directing his question to Rey, slightly hunting if there were going to be any alterations for what Mia might prefer.
"I'd go with whatever she goes with for today; she's a great cook, too, after all," He shrugged.
"Such a cute couple!" Jimmy said, smiling in admiration.
"So, what would you like, Miss?" He said, handing over the menu to her.
"Hmm, I think I'd go with Spaghetti Meatballs." Mia contemplated, going through the list of different meals available for that evening.
Soon enough, Jimmy took their orders and went off. Mia was trying so hard to make sure her gaze didn't clash with Rey's, but it was so irresistible to do so, especially with the way his facial features were accentuated by the sunset's glow, a fine-toned gold. It had somehow made him look more attractive.
His lips glowed like rose petals kissed by the fading light. His hair, though slightly tousled and messy, still looked alluring in its chestnut waves, falling near his eyes. Her gaze followed the prominent veins on his hands, tracing their path up his corded forearms to his bulging biceps, and she swallowed hard as her heartbeat quickened.
Would she be able to deal with such hunger?
A hunger for something that wasn't food?
She was caught off guard as her gaze collided with his as she looked up, a flush rising to her cheeks. He tilted his head as a hint of a smile played on his lips, thickening the air with tension.
"Excuse me, Sir," a feminine voice interrupted, startling Mia as they both turned towards the person speaking. It was another waiter…
"I've brought your dishes, may I serve? Jimmy's a little busy right now," the female waitress asked.
"Sure," He nodded. Rey ate slowly, his jaws clenching, as he glanced at Mia.
He caught the sight of a piece of her food that had greased the side of her lower lip, and his eyes gleamed as he looked away.
"Are you okay, S—". Rey squinted his eyes and she immediately cut her words from rolling out, remembering they were in public. Uh, sorry, Rey? " Mia asked, lifting her brows as her eyes narrowed, after noticing this action take place a couple of times.
"I'm perfectly fine, but you probably aren't," he bit back a wry smile, glancing at her lips.
"Me? Why? I'm good!" she exclaimed, recoiling, wondering if he could read the thoughts running through her mind that very moment through her eyes.
"Let me help you." In the silence of the restaurant, his voice lowered, the scent of his cologne enveloping her mind as he leaned in to wipe away the food crumbs.
His thumb grazed her lips, leaving a tingling sensation that made her cheeks flush. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time stood still.
"I think it sh —should be off by now," Her voice croaked as she spoke, tearing away their gaze first as a quick smile formed on Rey's lips before the moment could grace itself enough; footsteps of clicking heels halted nearby.
"Reynold." A voice called from a safe distance and without turning, Rey's smile faltered and died at the sound of its haunting familiarity.
The warmth in his eyes disappeared completely as he turned towards the direction of the voice. It was her, standing right in front of him again, after all these years apart.