Page 46 of Stormy Knight

BONUS EPILOGUE

Coming up to the little alcove, she found herself in the alley. Up ahead was the red neon sign. It hung in the small window over the plain metal door. Just like it had been before the fire.La Familia.

Standing in front of the restaurant’s door her hands were suddenly sweaty. Why was she nervous? Because on the other side of the door, the one person she loved with all her heart was waiting on her.

Adjusting her purse strap over her shoulder, she smoothed a hand over her hair and took a breath reaching for the door. Her hand hovered over the handle for a second, then she pulled it open.

Stormy was greeted by a young man with a bright welcoming smile. “Welcome, Miss Stormy. Are you meeting someone for lunch or dining alone?”

“I’m having lunch with Reeves.”

“Right this way, he has a table reserved.”

“He does?”

“Yes, he keeps one reserved for family.”

Her excitement deflated at hearing the waiter’s words. Maybe she’d misread Reeves wanting her to come have lunch at a La Familia. Maybe it was just lunch, things had been great, there was no reason to rush things, she scolded herself.

Stepping further into the restaurant, she took in the surroundings. She loved how they brought back the old-world touches of Spain in the décor. It wasn’t like before when she had first visited the establishment. If you were a patron of the establishment, you’d know right away it had been newly remodeled. Her mouthwatering smelling the aromas that filtered in the room.

“Right this way,” the guy said guiding her through the room.

“This should work for you, Miss Knight?”

“Thank you.”

Stormy slid in one of the few booths in La Familia tucked into the back corner. Today she wasn’t her usual self. She hadn’t bothered with makeup or doing anything more than pulling her hair into a ponytail. She had wanted to blend in with all the other tourists. She didn’t want to be a movie star worthy female as Whiskey called her.

Staring at the menu, Stormy struggled to come to terms with the fact she wasn’t in control any longer. She wasn’t a woman that didn’t need a man. She did need one. She’d finally met the man that turned her world on its head. What did women do in these situations, she thought.

Movement across the room brought Stormy out of her thoughts. That’s when she saw Reeves step out of the kitchen setting plates of food down on a table. What was she saying? She knew damn well Reeves Salvador knew she was there. The man drove her crazy and knew it.

She watched as the men at the table spoke to him making niceties. As they talked, Reeves turned his head and locked eyes on her. She expected a nod, a smile, something. What she gotwas a stern look making her uncomfortable. He did that to her, made her squirm. Her view was monetarily blocked by a server, when they moved, Reeves was gone. Sighing she waited patiently, after all he was the one who asked her there.

A shadow fell across her table drawing her attention to who or what had caused it. There staring down at her was Reeves holding a dessert plate. She watched through hooded eyes as he set the plate down and slid into the booth next to her.

“Stormy, where are Marco and Dale?” Reeves turned the plate until it sat perfectly poised between, he and Stormy. “You’re supposed to have one of them with you.”

Risking a look at him, she answered, “I was only coming here.”

Reeves sighed as he picked up one of the spoons and handed it to her. “That’s a poor excuse.”

Right then she saw Marco and dale slide into the booth across from them and sighed. “Did you really think you were alone?” she heard Reeves say, his voice laced with humor.

Ignoring his question Stormy turned towards Reeves, “I thought you wanted to talk to me.” She stared at his blue eyes, eyes that could look into her soul. “This was your idea, for me to come have lunch with you.”

He smirked toying with the cake. “I did, didn’t I?” He had hoped the restaurant would be quieter after the lunch rush, but it was bustling with patrons.

“I thought you wanted to talk about us.” Keeping the look on her face neutral, she waited to hear his response.

Giving her a curious look. “Us?” he asked.

“You can lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to me. We are an us.” She smiled, knowing damn well he had something on his mind. Still, she worried after everything they’d been through and the time they spent together, he’d change his mind and push her away.

He nodded, his eyes not leaving hers. “Sweetheart, we are an us, and it’s about time you understand your lifestyle is about to change.”

Resting her chin on her fist she kept a sly grin on her face. One thing she loved was giving Reeves a hard time. “How so?” she asked keeping the playful tone right at the edge of her voice.

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