Making It through Dinner

As we descended in the elevator, I tried my best to hide the sweat soaking through my clothes. I had no reason to think she wouldn’t say yes.

We’d discussed marriage plenty of times—in bed, during car rides, and now she was even carrying our potential heir. If it was a boy, that is.

The guys around us were busy chatting about how much they were enjoying the vacation and their plans for the rest of the cruise and our time on the island.

I didn’t really catch much of their conversation because my thoughts were racing so fast, it felt like I couldn’t keep up.

A gentle tap on my chest snapped me back to reality. “Honey, what do you think about touring the island tomorrow? I’d love to take that limo you rented again and see what this island has to offer.”

“Absolutely, sweetheart. Anything you want to do while we’re here, we’ll do.” I planted a kiss on her cheek.

As we stepped outside, a massive stretch limo was waiting for us, just as I’d requested. Climbing into the sleek black vehicle, Shay looked around.

The limo was decked out in purple neon, with tiny white spotlights on the ceiling, creating the illusion of a starry sky. I couldn’t help but smile at how they’d nailed every detail I’d asked for.

Conner grabbed a bottle of champagne and popped the cork. “Who fancies some bubbly?” he asked, imitating a posh British butler.

We all laughed at his antics while reaching for glasses. I pulled a bottle of sparkling cider from the mini-fridge for Shay so she wouldn’t feel left out.

“Here, sweetheart, this bottle is just for you to enjoy while we have the champagne.”

Her smile widened as she accepted the bottle from me and sipped on it during our drive. Soon, we arrived at the grand restaurant where I planned to propose.

My palms were so sweaty that I avoided holding her hand in the limo, not wanting to give anything away. As I stepped out, I quickly wiped my hands on my pants before offering them to help her out.

Her smile was radiant as she took in the sight of the fancy restaurant perched right on the water. She looped her arm through mine, and we ascended the long steps to the restaurant entrance.

A man in a suit opened the door for us and welcomed us to Le Petit Paradis. I gave my name to the hostess, who led us to a table by a window with a view of the ocean.

I helped Shay into her seat, then took my place at the head of the table. The guys were all in high spirits, chatting away.

Shay looked at me, her smile wide as she took in the five-star restaurant, one of the finest on the island.

A massive ship sailed by in the channel, and she watched it with the wonder of a child seeing a ship for the first time. As I reached for her hand, she jumped and looked at me.

“Sweetheart, is everything okay? You seem a bit distant tonight,” I said, gently stroking her hand.

She let out a sigh, then slowly nodded. “Yeah, my emotions are all over the place right now. One moment I want to cry, the next I want to laugh, then I feel inexplicably angry.

“I try my best to suppress them and not show them because I know you’d worry about what’s going on with me.”

I chuckled softly, then took her hand in mine. “I did at first, sweetheart, but now I understand what’s happening with you. So when your emotions flip-flop within minutes, I just let it slide.

“If you’re truly angry with me, you scrunch up your nose, and your eyes also tell me that you’re genuinely mad; it’s not just your hormones.”

She playfully smacked my arm. “I don’t do that.”

But her nose was slightly scrunched up. I tapped it with my finger.

She relaxed her nose. “Oh my God, I do scrunch it up! I’ve never realized I do that when I get mad.”

I kissed her cheek, chuckling softly.

“I’ve been studying your facial expressions for a long time, sweetheart. I’ve learned to read most of them, so if you snap at me for no reason, don’t feel bad. I’ll know when you’re genuinely upset with me.”

A waitress approached our table. She licked her lips as she took in the sight of us men, dressed in our best casual attire. She flashed a flirtatious smile.

“What can I get you gentlemen tonight to drink?” she asked, locking eyes with me.

“What would you like to drink tonight, sweetheart?” I asked Shay, turning to her.

“I’ve been craving a milkshake for a few hours now. I’d like a chocolate one, please.”

I nodded, then turned back to the waitress. “I’ll have a Belgian Ale.”

As the others placed their drink orders, I picked up the menu to browse. Once the waitress left, I exhaled deeply. Her cheap perfume had nearly turned my stomach.

“What are you going to order tonight, sweetheart?” Shay asked, her nose wrinkled in distaste. I guess she’d also caught a whiff of that awful perfume.

“I’m thinking about the seafood sampler platter,” I replied, pointing it out on my menu. “It looks good and has all my favorites.”

She flipped through her menu to find the dish. Her eyes widened. “How on earth can you eat all of that?”

“I’m starving. When I’m this hungry, I can eat a lot. You’ve been around me long enough to know that,” I said, grinning.

“Yeah, I know, but that’s enough for both of us. There’s no way I could eat all of that.”

“If you want, we can share it. But the lobster is mine.”

She shook her head. “That’s what I want, so I’ll order my own. I’m not going to take the one thing you really want from you.”

The waitress returned with our drinks and placed them in front of each of us. “Are you gentlemen ready to order?”

I rolled my eyes because she’d ignored Shay twice now. I turned to Shay and smiled. “Sweetheart, would you like to go first?”

She flashed a smile at the waitress, whose eye was doing a funny little twitch. “I’ll have the lobster plate with steamed veggies and a Caesar salad, please.”

The waitress jotted down her order, then turned to me with a flirtatious grin. “And for you, sir?”

“I’ll take the seafood sampler platter with a baked potato and a salad with ranch.”

She shot me a wink, and I rubbed the bridge of my nose, trying to avoid inhaling her overpowering perfume as she hovered next to me.

At last, she moved away, leaving us to our own devices. I needed a moment to recover.

“Sorry, I need some fresh air. That perfume was a bit much. Want to join me, babe?”

Shay rose and looped her arm through mine. I led her out to the porch, where the ocean stretched out before us. I took a few deep breaths, trying to clear the scent from my nostrils, while she rested her elbows on the railing.

The moonlight danced off her, making her glow like an angel. That’s exactly what she was to me—my angel, my soulmate, and soon-to-be fiancée.

I moved up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and resting my head on her shoulder.

“What’s on your mind, sweetheart?” I asked, my words a whisper in her ear.

“Not much. Just admiring the view. It’s so peaceful here. I’d love to come back sometime.” She spun around in my arms, pressing her lips to mine in a sweet kiss.

I deepened the kiss, pulling her close and savoring it like it was my last breath. When we finally broke apart, we were both a little breathless.

Gazing down at this incredible woman who had wormed her way into my heart and tamed a beast everyone thought was untamable, I figured there was no better time than the present.