Bellissimo Angelo- Book Three

Chapter 18 - My Face Hurts From Smiling So Much

Maggie's POV

As I begin to walk towards my car in the parking lot, my heart is soaring; my stomach is in knots. Oh my god! Oh my god! He loves me! He flippin loves me, and I love him! It's so soon, but it's so right and so perfect!

I hop into the car and check my makeup in the mirror. My face is actually sore from smiling so much these past few days, but I can't help but smile ear to ear as I think about him. He's so good to me; I could not have ever dreamed up a more perfect man to be with. I hate that I have to keep it a secret, but I can't trust too many people, and I don't want this to get out to our boss. He may suspect something if we aren't careful and not allow us to work together any longer. I realize that we must do our best to keep it quiet. 

 I shake myself from my thoughts and turn the key in the ignition, speeding off out of the parking lot en route back to Momma's house. Once I pull up, I hop out and rush inside. As I shut the door behind me, I am greeted by Chloe as she excitedly barks while prancing at my feet, "Hi, fluff nugget." I say as I bend down to pick her up. She licks my chin as I waltz into the kitchen while holding her to find Momma sitting at the table, "Hey, Momma." I greet her as I pull up a seat at the table next to her. 

"Well, hello, darlin. What is up with you today?" she asks curiously, smiling ear to ear. 

My cheeks begin to flush, "I'm just happy, Momma."

"Wow, I can see that. It looks good on you." She says while patting my arm. 

"Momma, I have to tell you something. Please don't tell anyone."

"Okay, what is it?" she asks. 

"Dom and I said I love you to each other," 

Momma immediately sets her coffee down on the table. A look of shock crosses her face, "What?! You are kidding?!"

"No! I'm so in love with him, Momma!" 

She begins fanning herself with her newspaper, "Oh, my,  I need a moment to take this in." 

I reach out and place my hand on her arm, "What are you thinkin Momma?" I ask. 

" Well, I'm thinking...I think it's wonderful." She says with tears pooling in her eyes. 

"You do?" 

"Yes! I do. I am so happy for you." She says as she reaches out to pull me in for an embrace. 

Tears begin to well in my eyes, "Ugh! Momma. I just want to cry. I feel like I'm flying." 

"Well, fly high, honey, and make me some sweet little grandbabies."

Momma and I begin roaring with laughter, "Whoa, slow down, Momma. I have to tell you something personal about Dom." 

"What is it?" she asks as she wipes the tears from her eyes with a tissue. 

"Well, he told me he had a brain tumor removed a couple of years ago," I whisper.

 "Oh my God! Was it cancerous?" 

"Yes," I respond while nodding my head. I lean down to kiss Chloe on the top of her head. 

"Poor guy!" 

"He told me that he went through the treatment and said it was rough, but he's cancer-free as of now. He did say it led to his divorce. I guess she couldn't handle it." 

"Oh, he was married before?" she asks. 

"Yes."  

She shakes her head from side to side, "Well, chemo and radiation have some brutal side effects. Are you prepared to deal with it coming back if it does?" she asks.

"Yes. I love him, Momma. I won't just walk away from him. He's the one." 

She sighs audibly before smiling ear to ear, "Well, okay, darlin. I want you to be happy. If this man makes you happy, then so be it.  You are a tough young lady, so I am sure you can weather the storm and remain by his side. He will need you, that's for sure." 

I let Chloe down before planting a kiss on Momma's cheek, "Thanks, Momma. I knew you would understand." 

"I do understand. I only want my children to be happy." 

I reach my arms up over my head to stretch, "Well, I guess I'd better head to work." 

"Nobody knows about you guys at work, do they?" she asks. 

I begin to chuckle, "Oh no. We don't want anyone to know. It may be a problem working together since he was hired to close the bar with me after I was robbed." 

"Well, I can see that being a problem. You two behave." She says while pointing her index finger at me. 

I snicker,  "Okay, Momma. We will. Bye, I love you." 

"Bye, baby. See you later."

I kneel next to Chloe once more as she wags her tail, "Bye, fluff nugget. I will miss you." I tell her as I gently stroke her back. She gazes up at me with her tongue hanging out, "Oh my gosh, Momma! She is so precious." 

"I know she's the best. It's like she knows exactly what you are saying." 

I bid farewell once more, gather my things, and head to work. 

As I pull up to the parking lot at work, not only do I see Dom's bike parked outside, but Nate's Blazer is parked nearby as well. f**k! My stomach is in knots as I walk inside. The moment I walk through the doors, I find Nate seated at the bar with Jeb talking to Alisha. Good. Please don't look at me. Please, God, don't look at me.  I try to walk by unnoticed, but it doesn't work. f**k! Alisha raises her hand to wave at me as I walk by, which prompts Nate to turn and look in my direction. He narrows his eyes and takes a sip of his beer while I scurry right past him towards the break room.

Once I turn the corner and walk a few steps down the back hall, Dom struts out of the office and greets me,  "Hey, Bella."

"Hey. You have seen who's here, right?" 

He nods, "Yeah, I saw him, but he hasn't caused any trouble, so I will watch him from back here." 

I begin to walk by him towards the breakroom, "Okay."

He casually reaches out, grazing his fingers across my hand, letting out a soft pitch growl, "You are making me crazy already."

I can't help but chuckle, "See you at closing."

Dom flashes a cheeky smile in my direction and spins around, opening the door to the office as I proceed to the break room to clock in. 

After I have finished, I reluctantly stroll out to the bar and get started. I do my very best to avoid Nate and only give my attention to the other customers, but it doesn't quite work out the way I had hoped. I notice a hand go up out of the corner of my eye, and when I turn to look, I notice it's Nate who is motioning for me. I place my hand on Alisha's shoulder,  "Hey Alisha, you have a customer." I tell her as I point to Nate. 

She shakes her head from side to side, "Nope, he says he is waiting for you." 

I sigh audibly before walking towards him with a forced smile on my face. "Hey Nate, what can I get for you?" 

"Can I get another Miller Light?" he asks. 

Jeb speaks up. "I'll take one too." 

"Alright, guys, coming up." I spin around and grab two beers from the cooler, and serve them. 

Nate clears his throat, "You look good, Maggie." 

I attempt to ignore his compliment, "That will be $3.75, boys." 

Nate's eyes grow wide, "Jesus, can you take a compliment?" 

I immediately walk away and begin washing the glasses at the other end of the bar, attempting to get away from him; however, it was unsuccessful. Nate gets up from his seat, picks up his drink, and walks down to the other end of the bar, pulling out a seat to sit directly in front of me. He sighs audibly and leans forward,  "Maggie, are you seeing that guy I've seen you around town with?" he asks in a whispered tone. 

"That is my business Nate," I respond. 

He gazes. "I know. I just miss you."

I set the rag down on the bar and lean forward, "Nate, please move on. Ask Alisha out or something. You will like her." 

His eyes grow wide; his jaw drops, "I want you. I don't want Alisha." 

I shrug my shoulders, "Well, I'm sorry. That's just never going to happen. I was never happy with you, and the relationship ran its course. I'm done."

His cheeks begin to flush; eyes begin to well up with tears, "Well, you can't blame a guy for trying." 

"You will find someone, Nate," 

He crosses his arms in front of his chest, "Lola misses you. She's heartbroken." 

"Lola can always call me anytime." 

He grabs his beer and takes a swig before getting up from his seat and moves down to the other end where Jeb is seated; I continue drying the glasses.  Dom catches my eye as he struts out of the office, flashing a wink in my direction before walking across the bar to the entrance. I can feel Nate's eyes bore a hole through me. My attention is suddenly redirected as Alisha places her hand on my shoulder,  "Hey are you and Dominic seeing each other?" she asks. 

"We are friends and coworkers; why?" 

"Well, your ex seems to think you are dating, and he's been trying to pump me for info." She responds. 

"Why don't you go out with Nate? Maybe it will help him to move on." 

She snickers, "No offense, but he's really not my type." 

I spin around and lean against the bar, "Well, I tried." 

She grins, "Besides, I don't want to date someone who's obviously still hung up on their ex." 

I roll my eyes and playfully elbow her, "Ehhh, he will be okay. I've just had enough of him. He's so selfish and self-centered; I'm just over it." 

"Well, you better snatch up Dominic before someone else does."

I begin to chuckle, "Thanks for the advice." 

She runs her fingers through her long brown mane, "Don't mention it." she responds as she strolls down to the other end of the bar to check on Nate and Jeb. 

The remainder of the night was pretty uneventful. Nate and Jeb decided to leave a couple of hours later. Nate remained quiet for the remainder of the time he was there. I couldn't help but feel bad for him, but I am so relieved that we are finally over. I've been burnt way too many times by him, hoping he will change. Not to mention the harsh reality is that the s*x is horrendous. Dom is an incredible lover. 

At closing time, Dom pulls up a seat at the bar in front of me, "God, this is torture not being able to put my hands on you at work." 

He chuckles as he reaches out his hand for mine, "I love how well you handled yourself with your ex, Bella. I'm very proud of you."

I place my hand in his, "Oh, you are?" 

"Yes, you stood your ground. Not to mention, I'm happy you have no feelings for him." He says. 

"Oh God no! I only want you." 

"I like that. I only want you, my love." 

"I'm ready to go. Are you ready?" I ask. 

"Of course, are you staying with me tonight?"

"Sure, I still have my overnight bag. Are you sure you want me to stay again?

He snickers, "Of course, I love having you there."

"Okay, I'll grab my purse and clock out, then we can leave, and I'll meet you at your place."

"Yes, of course."

I grab my purse and scurry back to the breakroom to clock out. Dom and I lock up the bar and head back to his place for the night, making love until our bodies give out.