Page 11 of Forbidden Love
“Trust me, it’ll show you’re attempting to understand her world. And it’s low key enough that no one’s gonna recognize you there.”
“Alright. I’ll give it a go.”
“Good luck, bro,” Zack says, his tone lightening. “And hey, if this doesn’t work out, come find me for a drink.”
“I appreciate your help, brother.”
“No worries.”
“Oh, Zack?”
“Yep?”
“Don’t tell Ethan or Fiona about this.”
My two older siblings don’t understand the details of my life, and that’s the way it’ll stay. If they ever figure out why I maintain a hidden identity, they’ll disown me.
“Got it,” he says.
“Thanks,” I say, ending the call.
As soon as I hang up, my phone buzzes again. This time, it’s Maya.
Maya
Sure, we can do that.
Me
Great. I’ll pick you up at 7.
I relax easier in my chair. Now I just have to survive dinner without blowing my cover.
WhenIpickherup, she stands outside her apartment, looking beyond radiant in a simple yet elegant dress. The soft fabric hugs her curves in all the right places, and the white color perfectly complements her skin tone. Her hair falls in effortless waves, framing her face like a halo. She’s stunning, and I can’t help but fixate on her.
As we stroll to the car, I catch a whiff of her perfume—a light floral scent that enhances her natural beauty.
Would her lips be as sweet as her aroma? I resist the urge to take her into my arms and claim her.
As she settles into the car, her gentle laughter fills the space and my heart skips a beat. Her voice is like music to my ears, soothing yet captivating. We chat during the drive, but I sense her curiosity about our destination.
As we pull up to the restaurant—a small, quaint place with a discreet sign—she raises an eyebrow. “This is… unexpected.”
Biting my bottom lip, I walk to her side of the car. “Goodunexpected orbad?”
After smirking, she gets out of the car. “We’ll see.”
Inside, the restaurant is dimly lit, with mismatched wooden tables and chairs that give it a cozy, laid-back vibe. The menu is full of things I can barely pronounce, let alone understand, but I play it cool as we sit down.
She sneaks a peek at me from the corner of her eye. “Do you come here often?”
I scratch the side of my head. “Not exactly. I assumed it would be a pleasant change of pace.”
She nods, still sizing me up. “It’s definitely different, but I didn’t take you for a vegetarian.”
While slipping my hands into my pockets, I glance at her before looking away. “I mean, I can appreciate a good vegetarian meal. But no, I’m not.”
She laughs, and it relaxes me. “Me neither, so this is bound to be interesting.”