F O R T Y
- Oliver -
I ordered a selection of my favorite sushi dishes and a carafe of hot sake as soon as we sat down.
“I’m surprised you didn’t order in Japanese,” Avery said, her smiling eyes sparkling.
“A guy’s got to keep a few tricks up his sleeve,” I said, wondering how hard it would be to learn a few phrases. “How many IOUs do you have left?”
“This is the tenth,” she said. “We still have fifteen to go.”
There were so many more. I had a million places I wanted to take her. Experiencing great restaurants through her eyes had become one of my new favorite hobbies. Walking her to work in the morning was another. Normally, I wouldn’t insist on such an early start, but the transition hadn’t been much trouble since we were constantly on the lookout for an excuse to go to bed early. “Where to next?”
“I’m curious about the place that’s famous for its ribs,” she said. “Or we could just draw a card, any card.”
The server appeared with our sake and small cups, and I took the liberty of serving us. “Thanks for squeezing me in,” I said, raising my glass.
Avery furrowed her brow. “We made the reservation two weeks ago.”
“I meant last night,” I said, waggling my brows.
She threw her eyes to the sky like she disapproved, but her smile told a different story. “That tiny cup makes your hand look enormous,” she said, tapping hers against mine before taking a sip of the warm rice wine.
“Kanpai.”
Her eyes danced as she drank it.
“That’s cheers in Japanese, if you were wondering.”
She licked her lips. “I knew you were holding out on me.”
I leaned back in my chair, enjoying the way the sake warmed me from the inside out. “How was your day?”
“So exciting,” she said, leaning forward. “I’m so glad you asked.”
“Why? What happened?”
She looked around and lowered her voice. “You’ll never believe what Noah asked me to do.”
My blood pressure spiked. “What?”
“Stalk him.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I mean he’s going to propose to Grace, and he asked if I’d hide in the bushes and snap photos of the big moment!”
“Wow.” I was honored she trusted me with his secret plan, but I wasn’t sold on it. “What bushes?”
“In the park where they always walk. The one with the little gazebo on the lake.”
I knew the spot. Wouldn’t have chosen it myself, but if it was significant to them…
“I guess he was tempted to do it in Paris, but he thought it would be more fun if he did it somewhere they go all the time.”
“Do you think that’s the move?” I asked. “When it comes to proposals?”
She shrugged. “I don’t think where matters as much as when.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“I think it’s kind of lame when guys pop the question on a major holiday,” she said. “Seems lazy or something.”
“Lazy? Surely you have to do an extra special job to outshine Santa.”
“Maybe,” she said with a shrug. “But I’d rather have another day in the year to celebrate.”
“Seems reasonable.”
“Wouldn’t you prefer that?”
“I would,” I said, topping up our sakes. “But not for the same reason.”
She cocked her head.
“I’d avoid holidays so I wouldn’t have to share my significant other with family and friends seconds after she becomes my fiancée.”
“I like the way you think.”
“So are you going to do it?” I asked. “Hide in the bushes and capture the happy moment?”
“Absolutely not,” she said, recoiling as if she was surprised by the question. “I insisted he hire a professional.”
“That’s probably for the best. You may be ridiculously photogenic, but you’re no photographer.”
She scowled like she was torn between taking the compliment and admitting I was right. “ Anyway , I said I’d hire a professional photographer as my engagement present to them.”
“That was generous of you.”
“I know,” she said. “That’s where you come in.”
“Me?” I hadn’t taken a decent picture of anything but Simba in years. Surely she wasn’t suggesting—
“You must know a good photographer.”
My ribcage relaxed with my relief. “I do.”
“So will you call one for me or give me a number?”
“You realize a good one won’t be cheap, right?” I didn’t wait for her to answer. “How about it’s an engagement present from both of us?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Trust me,” I said. “It’s worth it to me to not have to think of another idea.”
She smiled. “Okay. You’re in.”
“Great.”
“I’m sure Noah will want them to scout out the location first, and he’ll have all kinds of ideas for—”
“How about I get you a number, and you sort out the details?”
“Deal,” she said, smiling at the server when she arrived with our dumplings.
“So, who are you taking to the wedding?”
Her lashes cast shadows on her rosy cheeks as she poured soy sauce into the crescent-shaped saucer to her left. “You don’t waste any time.”
“Not since I met you.”
She lifted her gaze to mine before serving herself from the plate between us. “I suppose I will need a date for the wedding.”
“I know a guy who looks impeccable in a tux,” I said, popping a dumpling in my mouth.
“That is an important quality in a wedding date.”
“He also excels at hotel sex.”
The pink of her cheeks deepened.
“Plus, he has a lot of contacts who specialize in catering weddings. Assuming you’ll be the maid of honor, having him on board could make your life a lot easier.
“Grace’s sister will probably be the maid of honor.”
“Even better.”
Her brows drew together. “Why do you say that?”
I pinched another dumpling between my chopsticks. “Sharing you isn’t my favorite.”
“Tell me about it,” she said. “How do you think I feel about sharing you with the extra work you’ve taken on because of your new show?”
“It’s only temporary.”
“I hope not!” she said. “You seem really excited, and this could be an incredible opportunity for you.”
It was impossible to express how much I appreciated her support. Her enthusiasm. Her patience with me as I proved to myself and everyone I worked with that I could pivot my professional persona and establish a public reputation I was actually proud of.
“Correction, will be an incredible opportunity for you.”
“I hope you’re right. I have a good feeling about it anyway.”
“Me too.”
“Maybe not the filming part. That’ll be a tedious pain in the ass, but if the show takes off, I’ll only have to work a few months a year.”
“That would be a dream,” she said.
“I know.”
“Have you thought about what you’d do with all that extra time and energy?”
I eyed her from across the table, admiring the delicate plunge of her neckline and counting down to the moment I could kiss her collarbone and more behind closed doors. “I’m sure I can find a worthwhile way to spend it.”
“You’ll really help me find a photographer?”
I waved a hand through the air. “It’s already done.”
“Thanks for making me look good,” she said, smiling gratefully.
“My pleasure,” I said, holding her gaze. “But I assure you, babe, it’s the other way around.”