Page 14 of Redeemed

"Well, darlin'," JT said, turning on the charm he hadn't used in months. "That had to be one of the best introduction meet ups ever! At least for me. Had I known you needed an audience to kiss me like that, I would have gathered a crowd weeks ago!"

He chuckled as she dropped her head back to her hands and groaned in embarrassment. He reached out a hand and cupped the back of her head, encouraging her to look at him again. "It's fine," he assured her when she gave him a sideways glance. "At least I don't think Magda is going to have any doubts that we are really together after that performance."

She blinked slowly at him, feeling the warmth of his palm on her head.Why did that feel so good?She took a deep breath to regain her control and, finally, her lips twitched. "I guess not. Oh, she drives me crazy! I didn't even think about what I was going to do, I just reacted. Mamá is going to kill me!" She groaned. "At least Papá and Tomás were in the backyard grilling. I would have really been in for it if they'd seen that performance."

"I'm sure it'll be fine. And any time I can be of that kind of assistance, you say the word," JT told her. His hand dropped from her head, and he drew a thumb across her bottom lip.So damn soft."I'm afraid you may need to do some damage control with your lipstick though," he continued softly. "We made quite a mess."

It took a moment for the words to penetrate the haze that had formed over Sofia's mind with that brush over her lip. "Oh, damn! I didn't even think of that."

She pulled down the mirror in the visor and looked at herself. Sure enough, her lipstick was smeared all around her mouth. It was practically a big red sign announcing 'Been making out' on her face. He watched her dig around in her purse for tissues and lipstick to repair the damage. A small smile still lingered on his face. She was such an enigma. He found himself increasingly fascinated as they spent more time together. He'd seen more sides of her in the last couple of weeks since they started 'dating' than he had seen working with her day in and day out for the last five years. He wondered how he could have missed really noticing all her wonderful qualities all these years. He frowned a little to himself. He had to remember this whole relationship was fake. It wouldn't do to be catching feelings for her. Unfortunately, he worried that it might be too late.

Chapter thirteen

A Mountain in a Suit

Sofialookedaroundthelovely restaurant as they were led to their table. Romano's was all romantic candlelight, tables for two covered in white tablecloths and classical music playing softly over it all. She was glad she had worn a skirt. She'd had no idea JT was bringing them to such a fancy place. She'd known they were having Italian in Tyler, but she had thought it might be the new Chicago-style pizza place that had opened, not Romano's. She smiled nervously at the waiter as he pulled out her seat for her and gave her a slight bow.

"Good evening! My name is Fabio and I'll be your server tonight," the waiter intoned with a slight Italian accent. Sofia had no idea if it was real or put on, but it made her want to giggle a little.

"Madame," Fabio said as he handed her a menu and a wine list. Sofia could only bob her head.

"Signore," he said as he repeated the gesture with JT. "Would you like water as well this evening?"

JT glanced at Sofia and she nodded. "Yes, thanks," JT answered. The waiter nodded and disappeared to secure a carafe of water.

"JT! This place is so nice!" Sofia whispered once the waiter was out of earshot. "It's got to be really expensive. You shouldn't be spending so much money on me."

"Don't be ridiculous," he countered. "What else do I have to spend money on? I wanted to take you someplace nice. Someplace out of Gladewater. I know the chef here. I've been wanting to check it out anyway."

Sofia was about to speak when their waiter showed back up. "Here we go," he said smoothly, presenting the water carafe and filling their glasses. "Have you decided on wine or an appetizer? Some antipasti, perhaps?"

JT glanced at Sofia in question. "I'll trust whatever you order," she told him.

"Let's start with the antipasti platter and the Lambrusco," JT ordered.

"Very good, signore," Fabio responded. "I'll bring your wine and the food will be out shortly."

Sofia's eyes widened. "I had no idea you knew anything about wine, and Italian food."

JT shrugged and gave her a grin that made the dimple on his right cheek flash. She'd missed that dimple. "I learned a few things in culinary school. I don't know a lot about wines except what generally goes with specific dishes. For some reason I remember that Lambrusco goes with antipasti. Couldn't tell you why, though."

"That's more than I know," Sofia said, picking a piece of bread out of the wicker basket that Fabio had left with the water. She smiled thoughtfully at him. "I thought I knew almost everything about you, but you keep surprising me."

"I could say the same," JT said. "For example, that kiss tonight…"

The rest of his thought was cut off by a huge, masculine hand coming to rest on Sofia's shoulder. "Sofia? Is that really you?"

JT frowned. The man was tall and dark headed. He had shoulders like a linebacker that seemed to barely fit in the suit jacket he wore even though JT was sure it had to be custom made to fit his extra broad frame so well. JT narrowed his eyes. He looked vaguely familiar.

"Oh my God! Jesse? I can't believe it!" Sofia cried and before JT could blink, she was up and in the stranger's arms.

JT stood and dropped his napkin on the table. He fought the urge to cross his arms over his chest.Who the fuck is this guy?"Who's this, Sofia?" he asked, his voice dropping an octave from his usual happy-go-lucky tones.

Sofia spun back to him, a wide smile on her face. "Oh, JT! This is Jesse Conners, my…uh…friend, from high school. You must remember him. Number 24 on the football team. All State in 2010," Sofia gushed.

JT rubbed his chin in thought. That's where he knew the guy. Football dude. JT had been two years ahead of Sofia in school, but this guy was a mountain even back then. He forced a hand toward the giant to shake. "Oh, yeah, man. Now I remember. You were impressive even back when I graduated. How ya doing?" JT asked as the mountain's giant paw engulfed his not insubstantial one.

JT clenched his molars as the guy kept his arm around Sofia even after they'd been introduced. Sure, this was a fake date, but All State didn't know that. "So, what are you doing now?" JT asked, trying his best not to reach out and grab Sofia and tuck her into his side.