Chapter 23
COSETTE
While I do appreciate Nero’s attention since I have craved it from the moment we met, I am still very concerned because he keeps staring at me, and I do not want to die.
Is this what they meant by ‘be careful what you wish for’?
Fortunately, after twenty minutes of my heart beating fast from both kilig and fear for my safety, Nero and I made it to the restaurant in one piece.
One look at the white building and I’m seriously debating whether I should even offer to split the bill later. Because what if he agrees and I can’t afford my half? Jesus, that’d be more embarrassing than letting him pay the whole thing.
“Looks expensive, Combs,” I muttered as we walked up the front steps and through the gap between the huge wooden doors that gave us a peek of high ceilings inside.
There was a red carpet on the floor that led to the front desk, and the hand I had wrapped around Nero’s arm tightened a bit at the sight of the strict-looking woman waiting for us at the end of it.
“Good evening. May I have the name for your reservation?” She asked, finally showing a smile as we reached her, and somehow shifting from intimidating to welcoming in a snap.
“Azul,” Nero spoke just that one word, and the woman’s grin widened just a tad bit, as did her eyes.
“Mr. Azul, of course. It is our pleasure to have you here tonight. We prepared the best table in the house for you and your companion. If you’ll follow me, please.” The woman sprang into action, tucking two menus to her side as she motioned for us to trail behind her.
“Do you need to leave anything before we proceed inside?” She asked as we approached what I assumed was the coat check room. But as soon as I looked at the little sign in fancy red and gold colors, my body tensed by itself.
Please leave your firearms and other weapons. Failure to comply will result in a ban.
Nero must have picked up on where my mind was going, and I felt his muscular arm around my waist in an instant, his voice soothing as he lowered his head to ask me in a whisper, “Want to leave your jacket?”
Well, really it was his jacket.
“No, I’m good. I’m a bit cold already,” I said, smiling up at him.
She just tipped her head in a slight nod before gesturing for us to follow her again, and we did without hesitation until we reached floor-to-ceiling black curtains.
When the hostess shoved them to make space for us to get through, I almost breathed a sigh of relief as the entire place looked like a normal restaurant.
Sure, it was more luxurious than the other places I’ve been to, but there were people laughing at some tables, and while everyone was dressed to the nines, I’m pretty sure there are families here.
“Here’s your table,” the hostess said as Nero pulled out a chair for me, and she handed me the menu before doing the same to Nero once he’s sat down.
“Your server, Syd, will be here in a few. Please don’t hesitate to let me or any of the waitstaff know if you need any assistance or requests. Again, thank you for choosing to dine with us tonight, Mr. Azul,” she said, before finally leaving us alone.
Holy smokes.
I had to soak it all in for a few seconds, looking around just to make sure we’re safe before I scooted a little bit closer to Nero in our booth to whisper, “Did Siege make us a reservation at a mob restaurant?”
Because of course, I had to ask.
“No. It’s not, but your boyfriend did say you might think so because of how much of an overthinker you are,” Nero said, already looking through the menu.
“It’s a valid concern, okay? Did you not see the sign about weapons?”
I had the strong urge to roll my eyes, but I let the topic go, leaning over to look at Nero’s menu instead of opening my own.
“What are you getting? I’ll just copy you,” I said, looking at all the delicious-sounding descriptions of the dishes.
“Is that so? Then I guess we’re both getting the lobster and steak surf n’ turf, huh?”
I just stared at him like he had grown a second head as I tried to process what he was saying.
“I hope this doesn’t sound rude, but we’re seniors in high school, so how are we paying for this?” I finally asked, because this was Nero Combs. We’ve seen each other’s goods and bads. I know I can afford to be this honest and blunt with him.
“This is one of the Azuls’ legitimate businesses, C. We’re not paying anything thanks to your boyfriends,” he said, smirking, and god, I love that he’s not threatened by Siege and Dex’s money.
“Yeah? And you’re totally fine with that?” I asked just to make sure. “Because you know I’ll be just as happy if we eat at Jodi’s, right?”
“Who am I to say ‘no’ to a free world-class dinner? Your boyfriends may be used to the finer things in life, but don’t you think we deserve this? Fuck the one-percenters, right?”
I caught my lower lip with my teeth, trying hard not to smile, because I am one second away from jumping Nero Combs. There’s just something so hot about a practical man who doesn’t let fragile masculinity win, and I can practically feel my heart racing at the thought.
“Good evening, I’m Syd, and I’ll be your server tonight. Can I get you two anything to drink?” A man popped out of nowhere, ruining the moment, and Nero took over, making me fall in love with him all over again.
“No alcohol for us tonight, but we’re ready to order our mains,” he said, the challenge in his eyes for me to let go of my good-girl side and not cheap out with my order.
And boy, did we order.
We got two sets of the surf n’ turf that came with a ribeye and a lobster tail, cassava chips with onion dip for the table, and even a foie gras to share just because we talked about how we’ve heard about this dish dozens of times but never tasted it. Until tonight.
“I’m so full, but it’s almost a sin that we won’t be eating dessert if it’s free,” I said with a hand discreetly pressing on my stomach as we finished all the food on our plates.
“Then let’s get some. We can’t let the rich fucks win,” he said, and I wondered if foie gras was actually an aphrodisiac or I’ve just had the hots for my guy best friend for so long that I’ve never wanted to kiss him as much as I do now.
“I’m assuming you’d want the choco mousse?”
I looked at him suspiciously, wondering how he had read my mind when I’ve been debating what to get for dessert throughout the whole meal. I was torn between that and the blueberry tarts.
“And may I know why you came to that assumption?” I asked, my elbow moving to rest on the table, my palm cupping my chin, unknowingly leaning in just a little.
It was as if my body was moving on its own to be closer to him.
“We’ve shared meals about a hundred times over the years, C.
I know you get the crepes any chance you can, which is unfortunate that this restaurant doesn’t offer them.
Then, you get ice cream only if it’s on a cone or it’s served in one of those tall glasses, sundae style.
You get anything fruity when you feel like there might be eyes on you and you don’t want to look like you’re overeating sugar as if you want to prove them wrong that just because you’re…
curvier doesn’t mean you aren’t eating right.
And you order the chocolate mousse when you’re comfortable enough, not caring who will see.
It might be a little bit of a reach, but I was hoping I’ve made you enjoy my company enough that you’re not wanting to get the blueberry tarts on the menu,” he said, completely reading me through and through.
“You don’t think I notice. You don’t think I paid attention to you all these years, and maybe I didn’t to the most important details like your feelings for me, but I know you. I like to think that I really fucking do.“
And that was it. That was my undoing.
I looked into his eyes, wordlessly leaning in, only to hesitate the last second when I felt his breath against my lips.
What if he doesn’t want it? What if I’m completely reading this the wrong way? I know he asked me on a date, but what if—
Next thing I knew, he was kissing me. He closed the gap himself.
I made the first move, yes.
Yet unlike before, Nero Combs was finally meeting me in the middle and reciprocating.
He was finally catching me at the bottom of what I thought was an endless pit of me falling for him.
My eyes closed after the initial contact, finally returning his kisses once I recovered from the slight surprise, and I couldn’t hold back my smile when he groaned against my mouth in agreement.
His arm snaked around my waist to drag me across the couch, his kisses a bit too greedy and desperate that I had to reach for his shirt and see if I was stuck in a dream. My fingertips touched the skin above the topmost buttons of his polo, and I knew this was reality.
My first love. My ex-best friend’s ex-boyfriend.
Nero Combs was finally kissing me like he didn’t want to stop.
“We should probably,” I started, but Nero continued my sentence as I was catching my breath. “Get the dessert to go?”
I let out an amused chuckle. “I was going to say skip dessert, but that sounds much better.”
He flashed me a grin, calling for Syd’s attention, and he took over, ordering two servings of the chocolate mousse for takeout and getting the check.
As he said, he only looked over the bill and signed the paper without having to hand over any form of payment before we were up and grabbing the takeaway bag of our dessert for after… well, I don’t want to get ahead of myself but there’s a reason we’re rushing home, isn’t there?
Nero reached for my hand, leading me out of the restaurant and to where the truck was idling at the bottom of the steps. He reached for cash in his pocket, tipping the valet before rounding the car and opening my door for me.
This time, when I boosted myself up to reach the passenger seat, Nero didn’t hesitate to help me with his hands on my waist, knowing fully well that his touch was welcome.
I let out a quiet chuckle as I watched him practically run across the windshield, getting into the driver’s seat in a hurry.
“Please drive safely,” I said with a hint of teasing because I am very much aware of why he seems to be itching to get home.
“You know me, C. I know when to slow down, and when to speed up,” he said, the double entendre not lost on me.
Jesus Christ.
If his driving is not going to kill me, it will be because of his mouth. Hopefully, with his mouth on me.
My breathing was getting a bit heavy, and I don’t know if Nero was calming me down or trying to worsen it, but his hand crossed the center console, resting it on my thigh.
Frick. Frickity frick frick frick.
Grabbing my phone, my fingers flew across the screen as I shakily opened my group chat with Siege and Dex.
Me
Hey guys?
Siege
Just got notified you’re done with dinner.
Choco mousse to go? What’s up? Are you safe?
Dex
Things are about to get interesting, I’m sure
I gulped, thinking deeply if I should even ask this. They’re my goddamn boyfriends, for god’s sake.
Isn’t this too much?
Me
We’re on our way home
Siege
Are you going to ask us for permission if you can have sex with your childhood crush?
Because we’ve talked about it and the answer is yes
As long as you promise not to compare sizes
I bit my lip, trying not to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. I was about to lock my phone when a notification popped up that Siege had sent me a message on our private thread where it’s just him and me.
Siege
Maybe just lie to Dex that he’s the biggest or something, though
He’s sulking and mumbling about how ‘the dumbass’ (his words, not mine) better be aware of how lucky he is and make you come at least twice tonight
I’m jealous too, by the way. Thanks for asking.
My nostrils flared in amusement, imagining a pouty Dex. Why is that image so cute in my head when I know for sure it should be more scary?
Me
I love you.
Siege
I love you too. Have fun.
I then pulled up my own message thread with Dex, texting him.
Me
You know what you mean to me.
A long, silent pause from Dex’s side made me nervously bite my nail. I saw the bubble that showed he was typing something, a silent flicker before it disappeared, then reappeared.
Dex
I know
Then another pause.
Goddammit, is he mad? Couldn’t he have put on some emojis so I can tell the tone through text?
Dex
If he leaves you unsatisfied, call us
We’ll be there ;)
I could finally let out a breath of relief, feeling so grateful that both he and Siege are really letting me do this.
Is this selfish of me? Maybe.
Is this a little fucked up? Sure.
But is this really bad?
“We’re here,” Nero said, the car now parked on the street in front of my house, looking at me with both hunger and nervousness in his eyes.
This was the man I’ve loved for years.
I’m not going to ruin tonight by overthinking things when all four of us are in on this consensual—albeit unconventional—situation.
And after years of being the ‘good girl’?
I think I’ve done enough good that I can afford to be bad for all three loves of my life.