Page 45 of And Everything In Between

“You’re the boss, right?”

“I am,” she said, biting her lip to keep from smiling. “But I should finish up a few things first.”

“I get it.” Giovanni nodded. “I need to decompress anyway. Shower. Lay flat for a second.”

She nodded, too, like that was expected. But he didn’t move to leave yet.

He stepped a little closer and shrugged, voice dipping lower. “But if you’re free later, I want you to come through. Nothing crazy. Just food, some music, maybe some silence if you need it. Or something a little louder if that’s where you at.”

Time stretched between them as Paige twiddled her thumbs.

“Only if you want to, though,” he added. “I ain’t here to throw your day off. I want a little more of your time. If you got it.”

Paige didn’t answer right away. He caught the flicker in her eyes. Quick, small, but it was there, the hesitation said she still wasn’t sure what his showing up meant.

“Giovanni, I can’t.” The words came out automatically, her default self-protection.

“Why not? You know you want to.” His eyes held hers, refusing to let her hide from him.

She swallowed, shoulders dropping slightly. “I have to come in early tomorrow. And I should check on my dad after work. And…”

“Excuses. Bullshit. Deny yourself but don’t deny me,” he cut in, his words gentle but leaving no room for argument. “I want your time. And I’d like to not have to beg for it, but I’m not above that.”

Something in his directness broke through her resistance. No games, no manipulation, honest want. It was refreshing. Disarming. Her lips quirked into a smile despite herself.

“Fine, but are you cooking?” she teased, folding her arms.

“I got a chef on standby,” he said with a smirk. “Name’s DoorDash. Michelin star, depending on how fast they get there.”

She shook her head, a smile blooming wide and bright enough to fill the room. She didn’t bother hiding it anymore.

“I’ll let you know when I wrap up.”

“No rush. I’ll be at the crib.”

He moved toward the door, then turned back with one last offer, “Text me what you want to eat tonight. I’ll make sure it’s waiting.”

When Giovanni made it outside, he jogged across the street, eyes scanning the row of small lunch spots and food trucks until he landed on the obvious option: Mexican Soul food. He wasn’t leaving without feeding her. Not after seeing how hard, she worked. Not when he could make her day a little easier.

“Hello sir, I’m Glenda, Welcome to Lulu’s. what can I get for you?” Glenda asked when he got to the window.

“You know Paige at the bank?” he nodded in that direction before turning back.

“Yeah, of course. Everyone knows Paige. She helped us get the loan for this food truck.”

“That’s what’s up, I need to feed her today. Can you help me with that?”

“Ouu, ok.” She purred, hyping him up. Giovanni shrugged as she yelled toward the back of the food truck. “She’s a uhm… Bobby, Paige at the bank, what’s her order?”

Giovanni could hear a man running off the order.

“Steak quesadilla. Extra sour cream and cilantro. And she likes the fresh cucumbers on the side. I always give her extra.”

“That’s what I need, then. She like anything else? Any other trucks or spots she fuck with?”

“I mean, she practically helped all the food trucks on the strip get a loan. We love Paige. What’s up?”

“I’m a busy man, but I need to ensure Paige eats every day of the week. Until further notice. How much to do that for me? And get the others involved.”

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