MARIA’S PIZZARIA. 6:30.
If he pushed back, then she would have the perfect reason to decline, and it would be on him. But his final text was accepting her suggestion.
With how crazy her day had gone so far, she wasn’t even going to waste one second trying to guess what tonight was all about.
Ha. Who am I kidding? I’m not going to get anything productive done till I find out.
There was something good about being the boss. You can alter your schedule as needed. And since her afternoon was pretty much shot anyway, she might as well use the remainder of the time accomplishing something. Like food shopping for a party that I’m not looking forward to either.
4
Jordan would’ve rather Gianna let him go and pick her up instead of meeting at the restaurant. Pushing it would’ve only resulted in her changing her mind. For some reason, she didn’t seem very happy to run into him earlier. That was one of the things he wanted to talk to her about. He understood her being angry with Marvin. His friend had been an asshole. Hell, he still was one. But why did she harbor ill feelings towards him?
He looked at his watch and it was pushing seven. This would be when Jordan normally got up and walked out. He didn’t wait for anyone. Mostly because he didn’t feel as though anyone was worth waiting for. It wasn’t as though Gianna was special in any way, but he was willing to cut her some slack.
The longer he sat waiting, the more he questioned why. All this was for her benefit, not his. Maybe she didn’t want his help. Years ago he’d voiced his opinion on how she and Marvin weren’t right for each other. She ignored him then. What made him think for one second that she’d value what he had to say now?
Maybe because I was hoping she was different.
Jordan wasn’t sitting there a minute more. He tossed a twenty on the table and walked out. But when he got outside he noticed Gianna was leaning against the wall looking at her watch. He chuckled and walked over to her.
“Don’t tell me you’ve been standing her waiting for me,” he said.
Gianna looked up at him and said, “I was just about to call it a night and go home. Were you in the restaurant all that time?” He nodded. “But I peeked in and didn’t see you. I guess I didn’t look as thoroughly as I thought.”
“I had asked for a table more…private. Want to try this again?” he asked. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
“Famished.”
He held the door for her and followed her back inside. The hostess smiled. “Back so soon?” She looked over her shoulder and said, “The table is still open if you want to try ordering this time.”
Jordan didn’t miss her sarcastic undertone. Instead he placed a hand on the curve of Gianna’s back and ushered her to the table. He held out her chair before taking his. Once seated he said, “Thanks for meeting me tonight.”
“Still have no idea why you wanted to, but I assume you’ll enlighten me,” she replied.
“I will. Maybe we can order first?” he suggested. She nodded and he called over the waitress. After placing their order, he stated, “I mentioned Marvin is looking for you.”
“You did. I don’t care. He had his chance to speak to me long ago, and never did. Now, whatever he has to say, it’s too late.”
He could hear the bitterness in her tone. Who could blame her? Marvin didn’t do right by her at all. “I agree with you. This isn’t about him. It’s about you. I didn’t want you to be blindsided.”
She leaned back, staring at him. “I almost believe you.”
“I have no reason to lie,” he stated.
“And you have no reason to warn me either. What I can’t understand is why you are. I mean, he’s your friend. But then again twelve years ago he was, and I’m not so sure you had his back then. Either you’re not really that close, or you just suck at friendship.”
Ouch. Gianna definitely wasn’t afraid to say what she meant. Maybe he should be worried about Marvin instead of her.
“Probably a little of both. Then again, friendship takes two,” he stated.
“Well I thought Marvin and I were friends. I learned the hard way that he only thinks of himself,” she groaned.
He found it odd that she referred to Marvin as a friend. “You were much more