CHAPTER 9

TORI'S POV

"Do you have a reservation here sir?" A man asked as we stepped in. This place was the bomb. I can't remember the last time I stepped into a restaurant this beautiful.

Uh, maybe four years ago with your family who abandoned you cause you got pregnant at 18?

Great! Just great inner girl. Way to ruin the day. I was driven out of my reverie once Zach placed his palms on my back and we started moving to a table at the end of the room. At least we were going to have some privacy. I ignored the disapproving stares I got from these rich people and continued walking, my hold on Dahlia not failing for a second.

Once we were sitted, a waitress walked up to us and did nothing to hide her sexual feelings for Zach, how rude? Zack ordered a Ragú alla bolognese which I figured is an Italian dish.

I've forgotten all about such fancy dishes and I bet if I even ordered it, the prices at the end would kill me. The waitress turned over to me. I better go in for my level. "Uhhh, I'd have some mac 'n cheese."

I turned to Dahlia whose been roaming her big beautiful eyes round this place. "Uhhh, baby, what do you wanna eat?"

She looked over at me, thinking. "Can I have whatever you're having?" I nodded and smiled at her. Thank goodness she didn't order a lot.

I turned over to the waitress. "She'd have what I'm having."

Once she left, Zach gave me a weird look. "They've got the best carbonara, you know? You could order that instead of some dumb mac 'n cheese."

I rolled my eyes. 'It's not like I work in a bank to have the money to pay for this.' I muttered under my breath but unfortunately for me, he heard.

He scoffed. "Who said anything about you paying? I'm paying okay?"

I was about to protest when he diverted his attention to my daughter. "Dahlia baby, do you like birthdays?"

Dahlia's eyes lighted up and she nodded excitedly. "Is it your birthday today?"

He laughed at her childish excitement and I couldn't hold back my smile. "Nope. But its my grandma's birthday on Sunday and I want both you and your mommy to be there with me. There'll be lots of fun and food."

What the hell? Did Zach just take advantage of Dahlia to get me going to his grandma's birthday. Why didn't he ask me first?

"Really?" Dahlia was having more attention during this lunch than me, the real one who was invited.

Are you jealous of your baby?

"Yes sweetie. You'd also make new friends and there'll be lots of ice cream too."

Dahlia's excitement was aggravating as she turned to me, all 24 teeth showing witg those innocent eyes. "Can we go mommy?"

She put on that puppy dog smile. How on earth do I say no to this? "Fine, but we'd be there only for an hour."

"No problem mommy. Thank you. Zach did you hear that? We're coming for your grandma's birthday party."

Zach smiled at her and gave me a nervous smile. "Thanks."

I glared at him. Just you wait Zach, when this lunch is over, I'd get back to you. And as if on cue, the waitress came in and served us our food. The food was way delicious than I imagined.

"So baby are you gonna start school this year?" Zach asked curiously. Why was he giving her more attention?

Didn't you say you do not have the hots for him? Then why are you jealous of a four year old?

"Yes. She will." I butted in and Zach turned to me.

Zach flashed me a charming smile. "So how are you enjoying the food?"

Finally! I smiled at him. "The food's good."

"So you're not mad at me for indirectly inviting you to my grandma's birthday party?" He asked sheepishly.

I kicked his leg under the long table cloth and smiled in victory as he winced. "I'm mad at you, idiot." I whispered the last word since Dahlia was seated right by me. Thank God she was all into her food.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted you to be there with me. Don't be mad sweetheart."

There we go with the 'sweetheart' you've been longing for.

I blushed slightly. How could I be angry when he's looking at me with such a sweet smile plastered on his face. "Fine. I forgive you. But we're staying only for one hour. And I'm paying for our food."

He gave me a kinky smile this time while wiggling his thick brows. "Our?"

I kicked him again. "Don't be silly, Dahlia and I." I said blushing hard this time.

He laughed at my blushing form. "As much as you look ravishing when you're blushing, I'm paying."

I ignored the comment. Does he know how kinky 'ravishing' sounds? I shook of any dirty thought. "No way."

He laughed again. "Yes way sweetheart."

And there we go again. We shared small talk till he popped the question I've always hated in a low tone so Dahlia wouldn't hear. "Do you have a husband?"

I choked on my Orange juice I ordered earlier. "What?" "I asked if you have a husband?"

I shook my head vigorously.

"A boyfriend perhaps?"

I shook my head again. I didn't like this conversation, not at all. So I turned to my little saviour. "Baby are you enjoying your food?"

She nodded with food all over her face. She's the most adorable person in the whole wide world. "Yes mommy. Its so delicious. Thanks Zach."

He just smiled at her and she continued with her eating. I knew I was receiving an intense stare from the man across me. He cleared his throat and I was forced to look back at him. "So you're single?"

I didn't answer. Why are we going all personal right now. "Huh?" He pushed.

What's there to hide anyways? I nodded and I saw him give me a s smile. Like really smile. "Good. Let's get on with our food."