Page 13 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men
“How so?” I reply.
“You’re the first woman in a long time to stir us,” he says. The meaning behind his words sink deep into my stomach.
For the first time since I decided to do this, I don’t consider fleeing. I don’t want to back out. Something happened along the way to change my feelings. It was sudden and subtle at the same time, but it worked. Because now I want to see where this leads.
“Consider me curious, then,” I say, casually flipping through the menu.
The restaurant is designed in a minimalist style, with beige and cream seating and pristine white clothed tables. The plates are an eclectic mix of Mediterranean pottery styles, each setcoming in one of four colors—turquoise, coral pink, burnt orange, and sunflower yellow—while the cutlery adheres to the Portuguese aesthetic. The glasses are elegant smoked glass with metallic stems. Luxurious cloth napkins carry the restaurant’s embroidered logo on one corner.
The menu makes my mouth water.
“I’m having a hard time deciding,” I say as I try to choose an appetizer.
“The crostini are always a safe bet,” Dominic suggests.
“I can’t make up my mind between the sea bass and the tuna steak,” August says, his brow slightly furrowed. “I read the reviews earlier, and people were torn between the two.”
As if summoned to assist us, the waitress returns with our water. She looks pretty in her salmon pink uniform, a gold-brushed belt cinched around her waspy waist. Her shiny nametag introduces her as Hayley.
“Ready to order?” she asks with a perky smile, eyes sparkling as she looks at the guys and practically ignores me.
“Sure, but before we do, I need an honest opinion,” August says. “Sea bass or tuna steak? Which one is king?”
Theo stifles a chuckle. “We’re dealing with an existential crisis here.”
I love to see them so laid back and friendly with people. My dad always used to say, “Pay attention to how the man treats service staff, drivers, and cleaning ladies. It’ll tell you everything you need to know about him.” In hindsight, I ignored those things about Matthew because I was just so thrilled to be chosen. It didn’t matter that he was a dick to every waiter who served us.
“I’m a bit biased,” Hayley giggles. “I’m a tuna steak kind of girl.”
“Well, then, tuna steak it is, but please, let’s hear what the lady wants first,” August replies, shifting the focus back to me.
Suddenly, I feel way too big for my chair. I’m not, but my brain is hardwired to sabotage me, it seems, as I remember all the times I let Matthew order for me. I never wanted the fucking salad.
“Sure,” Hayley says, looking at me with a flat smile. “What can I get you?”
“Honestly, it’s hard to choose between the appetizers alone,” I reply with a nervous laugh. The look she gives me fills my soul with dread, as if I already know what she’s going to say.
“We could start you off with our hummus and crudité as an appetizer,” she says. “I would suggest the pear and salmon salad as your entree; it’s very light and delicious. Lower in calories, too.”
“Lower in cal—” I stop myself before I snap. I’ve heard that line so many times over the years, it sounds like an insult. “I was actually looking at the crostini.”
“Are you sure?” Hayley asks.
And there it is. She doesn’t need to say it out loud. It’s written all over her pretty, tanned face. The contempt. The disdain.
Theo clears his throat, demanding her attention. “Are you implying that our lady shouldn’t eat what she wants, Hayley?”
The tone of his voice casts a grave-like silence across the table. The way Dominic and August look at Hayley has me thinking she’d be better off running for the hills. I’ve never felt more beautiful and more protected in my entire life.
So this is what it feels like when your man actually stands up for you.
“No, sir, that’s not what I meant, it’s just?—”
“She’ll have the crostini plate,” Theo harshly cuts her off, then looks at me with a soft smile. “What about the main course, babe? What caught your eye?”
“Oh. Hold on, one second,” I say and flip the page, my heart racing with childlike excitement. “The tempura sounds fantastic, with a side of the perfect French fries, please.”
Hayley takes copious notes, probably wondering if she didn’t just kiss her tip goodbye with that snide remark. “Would you like a dip for those fries? Our chef prepares an exquisite selection, it’s different every week. I could ask him to pair the dip with both the tempura and the fries.”
