Revealing Riley

Chapter 8

"Will a place be opened this late?" She asks.

"You are in a city that never sleeps. I know just the place." I start the car, and it roars to life, the radio blares on to the last song I was listening to something about shooting a Sancho down. "Sorry," I say.

"Don't be I love Sublime!" She says humming along. I smile at her. I turn the volume down.

"How was your date? I ask.

"What date?"

"With Johnny. He told me that he was taking you out."

"Oh, god. It wasn't a date!" She says with a cute pout.

"Does he know that?" I laugh, which gains me a swat on my arm. I usually don't like to be touched, but for some reason, I'm craving her touch.

The song changes to my favorite song Sorrow and my surprise she is singing along to the song. I give her a high five the electricity between us is very evident. She blushes, and I look way trying to hide my blushing.

We are in an industrial area as I pull over and turn the car off. It looks a little off putting, but this restaurant is fantastic. I get down and go around the back of the car and open her door for her to get out. I look at her, and she seems a little concerned. Maybe even scared.

"The restaurant is here?" She asks.

"Yeah. Looks can be deceiving my Abuelo used to bring us here all the time." I smile at her, and she smiles back at me, and it makes my heart flutter a bit. I notice that she is shivering. I take out my leather jacket and put it on her shoulders.

"Better?" I ask.

"Yes, thank you. Won't you be cold."

"It's okay. You need it more than I do." We head in, and she looks around in awe. The décor is of the restaurant is golds and reds and it stunning. "It's awesome, right?" I ask her.

'Oh, my gosh. It's beautiful! This place is fantastic I love it! Thanks for bringing me here!"

"My pleasure." I notice Mr. Rala folding napkins. He sees us and smiles.

"Hello my friend," Mr. Rala says. He walks over to us and shakes my hand. "Back so soon. Oh, with a beautiful guest!" My face is feeling hot all I can do is laugh.

" Hello, Mr. Rala, this is Ayana."

"Hello, Miss Ayana. Welcome to Joya. I hope that you like it here."

"Thank you Mr. Rala You have a wonderful restaurant," Ayana says with a huge smile.

I lead her over to my regular booth my hand is on the small of her back as I guide her to it. My breath is quick, and I am very nervous. Mr. Rala's wife brings us menus. Ayana looks at the menu I smile at Ayana's reactions. She looks up at me unsure of what she is reading.

"Remember this yellow is mild, red is spicy and green is HOT AS HELL." I smile.

"What do you recommend?" She asks.

"For a first timer, I would have you try the yellow curry chicken. It's not spicy." I say.

"Okay, I trust you."

Mrs. Rala comes and takes our orders, and she brings free Roti bread and places it on the table in front of us.

"Thank you Mrs. Rala," I say. Mrs. Rala looks between Ayana and me. She smiles and nods her approval.

"What is that," Ayana says pointing to the bread. I laugh at her uncertainty.

'Think of it like a Thai tortilla. You pull pieces off and dip it in this sauce." I say pointing to the sauce in a small dish. "It's delicious."