Push the Envelope by Rochelle Paige

He glanced up at Tony. “How about two
iced teas then?”

 
    Tony nodded and left to get our drinks.

 
    “How do you know the waiter?” Drake asked.

 
    “Just from the restaurant. My dad and I come here a
couple times a month,” I answered. “I know a lot of people around here. The
benefits of being a townie.”

 
    Drake tightened his hold on me. “He better keep his
eyes off you before I feel the need to do something about it.”

 
    “Seriously? He didn’t even do anything. At least he
spoke to you, unlike the hostess, who acted like I didn’t exist,” I scoffed.

 
    “I finally have you to myself. Not real excited
that our waiter has a crush on you, but I’ll handle it,” Drake whispered into
my ear. Shivers raced up my spine as he nuzzled my neck.

 
    “Your drinks,” Tony said as he placed our iced teas
in front of us. “The usual tonight, Alexa?”

 
    “Yes, please. Drake? Have you decided what you’d
like to try?” I turned my head to look at Drake as I asked him what he wanted.
He was glaring at the waiter with icy eyes. I nudged him in the side to draw
his attention, and his face softened as he looked at me.

 
    “The manicotti for me,” he ordered and I giggled.
“Why is that funny? I thought you said anything with pasta is good here. Should
I order something else?”

 
    I giggled harder as Tony explained. “That’s Alexa’s
favorite dish here. She orders it every time she comes in.”

 
    “Great minds think alike. If you love it that much,
then I’m looking forward to trying it tonight.” Drake smirked at me.

 
    Drake and I talked about school until the food
came. We were juniors this year but didn’t have any classes together. It was
odd since we were both Business majors and we went to a small school. Turned
out that Drake was further along in his studies than I was, even after the
transfer over to Blythe. I hadn’t declared my major until this year, so I was a
little behind on my required classes for graduation.

 
    “Another reason to date me. I can tutor you
whenever you need it,” Drake offered before finishing his last bite. “Not like
you should need more reasons anyway.”

 
    I pushed my plate away. Even though I was hungry, I
couldn’t finish it with all the butterflies flitting around inside my stomach.
“I don’t need tutoring. Just more time in the day. But thanks for the offer.”

 
    Tony appeared at the table, hovering over us
attentively. I could tell he was still getting on Drake’s nerves.

 
    “Can you box this up for me to go?” I asked Tony.
“We need to head out.”

 
    “Sure. I’ll be right back with your doggy bag and
the check,” Tony replied.

 
    “We have plans I don’t know about?” Drake teased.

 
    “No, I just figured we could use a change of
scenery,” I answered. “Wanna grab some gelato next door?”

 
    Drake pulled his wallet from his back pocket. “I
could eat gelato. You want some, then let’s do that.”

 
    He paid the bill and left Tony a nice tip,
surprising me since there was tension between the two all night.

 
    He noticed me looking at the credit card slip as he
signed it. “I can afford to be generous. I get to leave with you, and he gets
to go home with his tip money. No contest, babe.”

 
    I scooted out of the booth and stepped to the side
so Drake could get out also. He grabbed my hand as we walked out, flashing a
grin at Tony on the way. Wanting to make him realize how ridiculous he was being,
I smirked at the hostess as she ogled Drake when we went past her.

 
    “Not very good with sharing. Get used to it,” Drake
responded to my action as he snuggled me into his side. It was a little cool
outside, and the heat from his body warmed me. “You cold?”

 
    “I’m surprised it cooled down this much tonight.
Wasn’t expecting the change in weather yet,” I answered. Here I was, on a date
with a hot guy, and I was talking about the weather. I