The Boy Next Door > jariana (ON HOLD)

eleven

As soon as we stepped inside, Justin was met with familiarity. A hostess with long blond hair and wide set blue eyes met us with a thick, possibly Russian accent. She was way taller than me, and beautiful. Great. I wonder where she fits in.

"Justin!" She beamed, holding out her arms as if asking for a hug. She barely gave me any notice when she placed her ice blue eyes back on Justin. She took him by the shoulders with both hands and kissed his cheek, then kissed the other one.

"Natasha, this is Ariana." He took my hand and squeezed it, backing away from her. "My girlfriend. She just flew in from America."

Her eyes registered with a bit of surprise, but she smiled politely at me and took my shoulders and kissed my cheeks as she did Justin's. I guess she couldn't be that bad if she greeted me the same, right?

"It's nice to meet you." She looked past Justin and spoke Russian to a couple of older gentlemen behind us. They nodded. She gestured to her left, and there was one table by the window that was open. I assumed that's where we were headed. She didn't escort us, nor did she give us menus. The crowd was a mixture of older, hip patrons with slim-fitting button -downs and pegged pants, and the younger tattooed, edgy types you'd see in Silverlake or West Hollywood. A few of them whispered and stared at Justin and me as we passed. Justin pulled out a chair for me and scooted his close to mine. He leaned in giving me a peck on the cheek. I guess I should have known it would be this way. It was always this way, even at home when we went to school together. Everywhere we went, people stared at him.

I unbuttoned my coat and pulled my hat off. Justin did the same. "What do you feel like eating?"

"No menus?"

"Nah, they'll make you whatever you want."

"Really?" I leered at him skeptically and my mind raced to come up with the most extravagant dish. "Hmm. How about sushi?"

He tilted his head, giving me a tight stare. "Sorry. Try again."

"What? You said anything." He just shook his head at my smartass comeback.

He smiled at the waitress who approached our table, a short brunette with happy eyes. "'Ello Justin, good to see ya, and who's this? Don't think I've ever recalled you bringin' a lady friend around."

He smiled at me and his hand slipped under the table, resting on my thigh. "Nope. She's the one and only. This is Ariana. Ariana, meet Candice."

"Hello, Candice. Nice to meet you." I'm sure I had a smile a mile wide. I scolded myself again for doubting Justin.

"Ariana's just in from America."

"Oh? And how long will you be with us?"

"Only a week, unfortunately."

"Bleak weather while you're here, but I'm sure you'll have a nice time."

"We'll be keeping each other warm, that's for sure." He winked at me. I felt myself begin to blush, and my eyes went to Candice, who giggled and covered her mouth.

"What will you two have?" She took out a pad from her apron and tapped the pen on it.

"I'm going to have the Pot Pie, and Ariana here will have?" He jiggled my leg.

"Um, um, I guess I'll have the same thing."

"And we'll have two Hef's," Justin included.

"Okay. Comin' right up." Candice smiled and disappeared.

I leaned into Justin and placed my cheek on his shoulder, taking in his scent. It made my stomach flutter. I closed my eyes. I thought about how my body felt and I squirmed in my seat to see if it still ached. It barely did. Good, I thought as I took in another whiff of him. I was torn with wanting to explore a snowy London and going back to Justin's bed.