The Rapper's Favorite || An Eminem Fanfiction

Chapter 23: Curiosity and Connection

Marshall's POV

The restaurant is tucked into a quiet corner of the city, a place you'd only find if someone told you where to look. Its soft lighting spills out onto the sidewalk, casting warm, flickering shadows as I park the car. The girls sit quietly in the backseat, but their curiosity hums in the air. They'd met Aria briefly earlier at the studio, but dinner was something else entirely.

"She's already inside?" Hailie asks, leaning forward to peer through the windshield.

"Yeah," I reply, glancing at my phone. "She's waiting."

Alaina raises an eyebrow. "So... she just waits for you like that?"

I smirk at her tone, catching the subtle edge of challenge. "She's patient. You'll see."

The girls exchange glances as they climb out of the car, their footsteps soft on the pavement as they follow me toward the entrance. They're reserved—typical when meeting someone new—but I can tell they're curious. They'd only spent a moment with Aria at the studio, but that was enough for her to leave an impression. She always does.

Inside, the restaurant smells of garlic and rosemary, its polished wood floors glowing under dim, amber lights. The quiet murmur of conversation and the clink of silverware make the space feel intimate, almost private. It doesn't take long to spot her.

Aria is seated at the bar, her posture relaxed but deliberate, sipping water from a short glass. She's dressed as she always is—simple, bold, effortless. Her cropped leather jacket, ripped jeans, and black boots aren't trying to impress anyone, but somehow they do. Dark hair falls loosely over her shoulders, softening the edges of her outfit, while a pair of silver cross earrings catch the light.

She's not scanning the room or fidgeting like someone impatient. She just waits, like she belongs here—or anywhere.

"Okay, she's... a total rockstar," Alaina whispers, awe creeping into her voice.

"Yeah," Hailie agrees softly, her eyes fixed on Aria. "She's really cool."

"She always looks like that?" Alaina asks, glancing at me.

"Pretty much," I say, smirking.

As we approach, Aria glances up, her gaze settling on me first before flicking to the girls. A small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as she stands, setting her glass down. She doesn't rush to greet us—just waits, perfectly calm, like she knows exactly how this will go.

"Hey," she says, her voice warm and steady.

"You doubted me?" I reply, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe a little," she teases, her smile widening slightly before her attention shifts to the girls. "Hey, girls. Good to see you again."

"Hi," Hailie says quickly, her voice polite but curious.

"Yeah, nice to see you too," Alaina adds, though I catch the way her eyes flick over Aria's boots, like she's trying to piece her together.

"You hungry?" Aria asks, motioning toward the back of the restaurant.

"Starving," Hailie answers immediately, brightening.

"Same," Alaina says, though her gaze lingers on Aria a moment longer before she follows us toward the booth.

The booth Aria picked is tucked into a corner, its low-hanging light casting a warm glow over the polished wood. The noise of the restaurant feels distant here, like we're in our own space. Aria slides in first, and I follow, leaving the girls across from us. The booth isn't big, and I'm suddenly aware of how close we're sitting. Her leather sleeve brushes against mine, and I catch the faint scent of her perfume—something soft, like vanilla and spice. She doesn't seem to notice—or maybe she does and just doesn't care.