TIES: Gio's Story

Chapter Three

Gio

When I walked through the front door, Diana looked back at me with the same confusion I had. Why the hell was I back here? 

No one ever got to me the way I was letting Diana. I prided myself on being unreachable. Stoic. Level-headed. That was exactly the opposite of how I was acting right now, nearly throwing myself at a woman who made it clear she wanted nothing to do with me. She had a boyfriend, for Christ's sake. And yet for some reason, when I got done working today, my car turned toward the pizza place like it had a mind of its own. And now, here I was, sitting the same booth, pouring over the menu as if I gave a damn about what kind of food they had. I was here for her, and judging by the look in her eye, we both knew that.

After calling of the wedding, another woman was the very last thing that should be on my mind, but it didn't matter. Diana was in my head in the very best and worst of ways. Last night, I laid awake for hours laughing to myself about how thought that I came back to kill her. She came across as sweet and naive, but the bite in her tone and the ferocity in her eyes when she spoke to me said otherwise. She held that gun like she'd done it a thousand times, and there was no doubt in my mind she would have used it if necessary. The girl was broken and raw, even though she fought like hell to hide to. 

Not everyone would see through her bravado, but it was my job to look for insecurities. To find those cracks and weaknesses that people put bandaids over and pretended didn't exist. I was always looking for something I could exploit. But with Diana, that wasn't what I was interested in. I just wanted to know her. 

They were busier tonight, and every table was full. Diana flitted from group to group, talking with the customers and delivering their food. Besides the kitchen staff, she was the only one working. 

For awhile, she avoided me like the plague, but when she started towards me, I panicked. 

"Can I help you with something?" She eyed me carefully. 

Tonight, her dark hair was pinned back into a mess of curls at the base of her neck, held in place with a pencil. She wore the same uniform as the day before--skin tight jeans that hugged her delicious curves, a v neck white t-shirt, and an apron tied hastily over the top. Her emerald eyes fixed on me as she clicked the bottom of her pen, waiting on my answer. She was fearless, and I loved that about her. Even when she thought I was here to kill her, she wasn't deterred. She shot back with the same fire and boldness as she had earlier in the day. It was intriguing, and it could be just the thing to get me our of my funk.

"Yeah." I said. "I'd like to order a pizza." 

"You're here for a pizza?" She wasn't convinced. 

"Yeah, that is what you serve here, correct?" I teased. 

She flashed me a smirk. "What kind of pizza can I get for you?" 

"What do you recommend?" 

"The Rio is my favorite." She said. "It's a white sauce with Ricotta, Parmesan and tomatoes." 

"Perfect. I'll take a large." I said, handing her the menu. 

"A large?" "Yeah, I'm hoping you'll join me when you get a break." 

Diana let out a heavy sigh. "Gio, I told you. I have a..." 

"Boyfriend, yes, I know." I said. "I respect that, but that doesn't mean we can't talk." 

She glanced over her shoulder toward the kitchen. "I don't get a break until everyone leaves." 

"I don't have any plans, I'm happy to wait." I smirked. Her excuses were futile. She might be good at holding me off, but I was good at waiting people out. I could play this game with her all night until she agreed to talk with me.