Page 2 of The Sweetheart Dance
He grins awkwardly which is completely different from his normal cocky grin. “Let’s wait until after our meal to discuss.”
Our wedge salads land in front of us drizzled with the house vinaigrette. I take a bite slowly to let all of the fresh flavors ignite my taste buds. I might be a picky eater but I enjoy good food.
Our conversation is rather bland with it gearing towards mundane things such as work.
“We got the new contract for the building being built downtown,” he states proudly while handing our salad plates to the flirty waitress. She winks at him and glares at me.
Am I missing something? I feel like I’m interloping on my own date.
I tilt my head to the side to get her to take the hint. I could have sworn I heard her growl at me.
“Is she a friend of yours?” I ask briskly.
Colton doesn’t respond. He isn’t one for confrontation and will ignore it at all costs. I admire that about him but sometimes I would like to see him show a little more feelings or passion if he feels strongly about something.
He clears his throat while looking down at his wine glass before his eyes meet mine once more. “Raina, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
My stomach is filled with belly bats. This is it! This is the moment I have been waiting for.
“Yes?” I taunt trying to get him to ask the question which is going to change my life.
“As you know I have been working hard on building my role as an architect.”
I nod while playing with the wine glass in front of me. I need to keep my hands busy before I start hyperventilating.
Colton opens his mouth to say something more when a bunch of people begins cheering and jumping out of their seats to run to the front door. I’m wanting to know why everyone is so excited, but I’m wanting to stay here more.
“Luke! Luke!”
I tune them out to focus on Colton. “Yes?” I hedge trying to get him to ask me.
My ring finger is itching for him. I can’t wait any longer!
“I think we should-”
“Yes, of course!” I blurt effectively cutting him off.
He looks slightly relieved. “You agree?”
I nod frantically while sticking my left hand out for him to slide a ring on my finger. I should have taken this as a clue when a ring wasn’t presented to me.
“Wow, I can’t believe you would be so cavalier with this,” Colton praises.
My hand is still suspended between us. I look down at my empty ring finger then back at him in a silent request for him to put the ring on. “Of course!”
“I didn’t think you would be so understanding with us breaking up.”
I feel as if my world has come crashing down all around me. “What did you just say? I must have hallucinated.”
Colton looks down at my hand with enough curiosity to kill a bunch of cats. “You knew I couldn’t marry you, Raina.”
“I don’t understand.”
He looks over at the commotion in the other part of the dining room. “Sweetie, I’m going to start working some crazy hours and I need a woman who is going to be my partner. I don’t need some blast-from-the-past type of girlfriend.”
I shake my head while yanking back my hand as if he burned me.
I might not have received as many jobs offer as Colton did, but I still got a great job after graduating.
