7. Tate
It takes a second to comprehend what’s happening. It’s hard to fathom, but I’m somehow in the midst of a marriage proposal—a proposal gone horribly wrong as I’m not supposed to be the man proposing.
Searching the tables beside us, I spot a young couple and know exactly where these champagne flutes were meant to go. The guy’s face is pale and he’s not sure what to do. I can’t blame him. What do you do in a moment like this?
The woman across from him, although smiling, has a hint of jealousy in her gaze. This should’ve been her in the spotlight, not Liana.
And for the second time tonight, Liana seems like a deer caught in headlights. I can’t blame her either. How awkward can a situation get? She wanted to tell the hostess this wasn’t a date, and now she probably wants to tell the whole room.
I feel on the spot, almost like I’m on the field taking a snap. Should we tell the staff they’ve made a mistake? Make an announcement? I’m afraid that will ruin the true surprise when this guy eventually pops the question to his future bride.
So, I go the opposite route, hoping Liana is game.
Slipping out of my chair, I drop down to a knee.
“Please say yes.”
Her eyes go wide, and she shakes her head but doesn’t say the word no. Then she catches the pleading in my eyes.
“Yes.” She smiles in the cringiest of ways. Liana surprises me by downing the champagne, fishing the ring out of her mouth, and displaying it for everyone to see. There’s not enough light for it to sparkle, but there’s a gleam in her dark eyes that takes my breath.
Caught in the bazaar moment, I shoot up and wrap her in a hug, lifting her off the ground. She’s so light.
“It’s just for show,” I whisper in her ear. “I promise to return that ring to its rightful owner, so maybe they get the chance to share a moment like this.”
“Smart play, Rookie.” Her lips brush my ear, sending signals elsewhere.
Gently, I set her down to the applause of the crowd. It really does feel like a game. Everyone’s clapping—everyone except the guy whose ring I just stole. I shoot him a quick nod, hoping he interprets my intent as honorable.
There’s another problem I haven’t calculated. Eyes are still on us, as if the room is expecting something else. My heart sinks when I realize what it is.
A kiss.
Liana catches on too. She half shrugs. It’s all the consent I need to press my lips against this beautiful woman. To taste her. Swipe my tongue against hers and get lost in this crazy moment together.
There’s another moment of applause before we step away from each other, panting, red-faced with embarrassment.
I can’t read how Liana feels about these last few minutes. To me, they’ve been exhilarating. Better than the night I was drafted.
Maybe that’s just because I’m a virgin who’s only had a few short-term relationships. Sharing a kiss means something to me.
It’s not long after we’re seated again than a waiter scurries to our table, explaining the mishap.
“I told him the champagne went to our ‘special’ guests, and he thought I meant you. Probably because someone else called you our special guest. Now, we have an angry guest who says we’ve ruined his life and taken his ring. You see my dilemma?”
I nod along. “It’s quite the dilemma. I want to help make things right. Tell you what, I’ll cover their tab, and I’ll have my driver pick them up. He’ll have champagne waiting in the car, and he’ll take them wherever they want to go. Here’s where I need your help. What’s a good spot to propose? Obviously, he can’t do it here. Not anymore.”
“I know just the place, but it’s closed at night.”
“What place?”
“The Arboretum,” the waiter says. “Oh, and I think I might need something back.”
Liana’s eyes go wide, and she frantically grasps at her ring finger. I’m afraid it’s stuck and we’ve gotten ourselves deeper into this mess, but it finally slips off. The waiter checks whether the coast is clear before Liana discretely slips the ring into his hand.
I tell the waiter the plan, which he’ll then have to convey to our antsy bachelor.
“I’ll figure out how to get them in,” I say before he leaves.
“Just how do you plan to do that?” Liana asks.
“Devin,” I say flatly, finding the contact in my phone.
“Who exactly is Devin?”
“Jake’s assistant,” I tell her. “Jake might pay him, but Devin absolutely loves me. I set him up with his boyfriend.”
“Devin’s a guy?”
“Jake’s wife doesn’t approve of female assistants.”
“Smart woman,” Liana says under her breath.
Over the next few minutes, I make plans for the lovely couple. I call Devin, who’s so well connected because of Jake, he somehow smooths things out with the Arboretum’s manager. Next, I notify my driver and send a hefty tip his way.
When our steaks finally arrive, I’m not even hungry anymore. I’m ready to put this whole night to bed. Liana must be thinking the same thing. She’s contemplative, studying me across the dimly lit table.
She shakes her head. “You’re a good guy, Leonard ‘Tate’ Rushmire.”
Liana knowing my real first name sends a shiver down my spine. Although I don’t know why, it’s out there for the world to know.
I cut into my steak. “You say that like you didn’t think I would be.”
“I’ve met a lot of football players over the last year or so. You don’t seem to fit the mold.”
“In a good way?”
“In a great way,” she says. “But how does that work?”
“How does what work?”
“You being you and you being the quarterback. Aren’t you supposed to lead the team?”
“You don’t have to be an asshole to lead a team. Look at Peyton Manning. Well, every Manning. You know Joe Montana used to call his wife from the sidelines before every game?”
“I didn’t.” She smiles. “And as for your catfish situation?—”
“Not Mal’s not a catfish.”
“I know she’s not.” Liana looks down, pushing her fork around her plate. “I think it’s going to work itself out.”
“You do?”
Liana smiles brightly, raising her fork with a green bean in the air. “I do.”
She takes a bite.
It’s the first time I’ve thought of Not Mal since the engagement madness started. Up until tonight, she was just a friend. Nothing serious. I hadn’t even resolved to meet her until the car ride to this restaurant. I haven’t told her I want to meet.
So, as the waiter leaves with the bill and Liana heads off to the restroom, I do just that. I shoot a text out into the void. The words can’t be undone.
My insides squirm with mixed feelings. Meeting Not Mal means a lot to me. But these fresh feelings I have for Liana, they mean something too.
How’s a guy supposed to choose when true love’s at stake?
Maybe, just maybe, I won’t have to…