Page 58 of Something Blue

“You haven’t brought me here to chop me into little pieces, right?”

He gave a hearty laugh. “Do I look like that kind of person? I should warn you, though, my parents are hoping we’ll progress in our relationship tonight. They think I’m proposing.”

Her heart stuttered. “Uh . . . are you?”

He shrugged. “We can always cancel it later. My mom looked so excited when I told her how I felt.”

His eyes danced as he watched her, making her squirm. He was laying the charm on thick, and she wasn’t sure she could maintain her resolve to stay neutral for long. “Okay, well I guess if it’s part of the deal.”

Once they were out of the car, he walked a step behind her and up to the restaurant.

Same dirty exterior, same run-down looking waiting area, but also same beautiful interior. When Andy opened the door, which led to the dining area, the room was lit—shrubbery taking up much of the open space. In the middle of the decorated room sat one table with Andy’s parents waiting, an eager look on their faces.

“You came,” Judy said, standing to greet her. She took both of Sadie’s hands and led her around the table to sit beside her. On the other side, Andy joined his father.

“A one-table restaurant?” Sadie asked as soon as they were settled.

“We wanted a quieter atmosphere for tonight.”

She smiled and shrugged. “I’ve never rented out a restaurant before, but I guess things have always been different with Andy.”

His parents laughed, and Andy sent her a wink. She smiled and played along.

“We’ve already ordered,” Calvin said as she looked around for a menu. We’ll have spring rolls and dumplings if you’re not a huge fan of sushi.”

“Oh good,” she said letting out a breath. “I haven’t had it, but I’m willing to try. Good thing there’s a backup if it’s not really my thing.”

Calvin laughed and clapped Andy on the shoulder. “You have a real sweetheart, son.”

Andy nodded and warily met her eyes. She nodded and smiled back. This was all a game.

To her surprise, sushi was the food she had wanted all her life. Even though the smell turned her off at first, she forced herself to try each type they’d ordered. The spicy tuna was the only kind she didn’t love, and found she liked the Philadelphia and California rolls the most.

When dessert was being brought out, Andy switched places with his mom.

“Everything okay?” Sadie whispered to him as he moved his chair closer.

He nodded and put a hand on her knee. “Just wanted to be next to you.”

She restrained herself from brushing his hand away, and instead, intertwined her fingers with his. He was laying the act on strong, and it was hard to turn him down in front of his parents. At least, that’s what she kept telling herself.

Thankfully, dessert was placed before her quickly. There were three colorful pastel balls with what looked like rice pudding stuffed in them.

“It’s mochi,” Calvin explained. “It’s called the ‘Deadly Japanese snack’ because of how sticky it can be.”

“Looks yummy,” she said, picking up her fork. Before she could dig in, something silver sparkled at her from the light pink ball. She gasped and looked closer.

Andy chuckled softly beside her. “Yes, this is the moment.”

He pulled the ring out of the mochi and dipped it in a small bowl of water a waiter had provided. After it was clean, he put it on her ring finger and waited until she met his eyes.

His parents had turned to them with smiles on their faces. She felt even more self-conscious, hoping to play her part well.

“I know this may come as a surprise,” Andy said, grabbing her attention again, “But I have loved you since the moment we met. I mean, the second time around.”

Sadie straightened in her chair, ready to digest his lies.

“I know things started off rocky in the beginning, but you are the type of woman I need to keep me straight, focused, and motivated.” He turned to his parents. “You may not know this, but in the beginning, I actually tried to change this girl. I thought you guys wouldn’t like how casual she dressed or how curly her hair is. Everything about her screamed unrefined and someone you wouldn’t approve of.”

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