Page 20 of Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa

Frankly, he was stunned. Seeing them here and already at their table was more than just surprising. It was like a secret he’d been left out of. Why hadn’t Lydia asked him first? Why hadn’t she told himbeforetheir arrival at the restaurant? She’d had plenty of opportunity to mention it on the drive over.

Instead, she brushed him off with a quick wave of her hand. “When the ring was ready today, I called them after you left to return that cell phone at The Coffee Loft. I thought I’d just let it be a surprise. Surprise!” she finished gaily, digging her fingers into his arm.

Those manicured fingernails were sharp. At least he was wearing a suit coat, or she’d be drawing blood.

Wade gave her a perturbed glance.

“Oh, don’t be a spoiled sport, Wade. It’s just my parents.”

Lydia laughed gaily as she greeted her parents, showing off the large, glittering diamond ring while she held her hand in the air and twirled. Then she kissed them both.

Mrs. Gravois continued to gush; her eyes lit up like Christmas. “Sit down, my precious girl, and let me have a good, long look at that magnificent diamond.”

Lydia slid into the chair next to her mother before Wade could pull the seat out for her. Immediately the pair of them were chattering a mile a minute and discussing every detail of the design of the engagement ring. First it was the cut and size of each diamond, then analyzing the lavish centerpiece to each smaller, decorative diamond set between rich, red rubies.

Wade tried to smile, but the entire scene was uncomfortable. He’d chosen the design, knowing Lydia would love it. He should have guessed she’d show it off to every friend and family member. Probably strangers, too, if he could make a prediction. Hopefully, those times would be during the day while he was working.

“It’sperfect, darling,” Mrs. Gravois gushed, then she turned to Wade. “I must say, you did well. Or the jewelers gave you a lot of help and suggestions?”

“Oh, Mother, I’m pretty sure Wade did it all himself,” she said, but her voice faltered. “Right, Wade, honey-pie?”

“At the moment, I’ll plead the Fifth,” Wade said, trying to take amusement from the pair of them. Lydia was eager to show it off, but as the groom-to-be, he’d also slide into the background while the women drooled. Even if the drooling and each stone cost analysis was beginning to annoy him.

Mr. Gravois cleared his throat. “Okay, my girls, you can stare at the ring all evening long. Let’s get our menus and order before I drink another whiskey.”

“Oh, Daddy,” his daughter said with a wave of her hand. “Sorry to be a little late. We just had a hard time leaving the house,” she purred, giving Wade a secretive smile.

Wade took a sip of the ice water that was now melting. The goblets had been brought to the table quite a while earlier. He could appreciate Mr. Gravois’s patience running thin if they had been waiting for more than thirty minutes.

Wade didn’t appreciate Lydia’s suggestive innuendoes. The marriage relationship was private. Solely between the two of them, and not to be discussed with others. Why would she say such a thing to her parents? Besides, they hadn’t even kissed, let alone had a make-out session on the couch.

He pulled at his tie again and tried to relax, but tension was building in his shoulders and neck.

Menus finally arrived with their waiter who wore a pristine white apron and passed the menus out with great flourish, speaking in a French accent.

Then he launched into the suggested dinner items which led to discussions and several changed minds. Orders were finally taken, and another round of drinks arrived.

Wade ordered a soda as well as a glass of ice water and sipped it slowly. The waiter uncorked a bottle of red wine for Lydia and her mother, and Mr. Gravois was on his second whiskey on the rocks.

They chided him for not partaking with them, but Wade held firm, merely shaking his head with a small smile.

Lydia grabbed at his fingers in an attempt to subtly convince him to obey her wishes. “A Coke? Really, Wade darling? We’re having an elegant meal which calls for the best liqueurs.”

He frowned at her. Why was she acting this way? She knew that Wade had grown up with a mother who only reserved soberness for dressing up to attend society parties or the opera. Once, at fourteen, Wade had busted open her fancy liquorcabinet, thought every single bottle held the worst taste ever, and never touched it again.

Even if he had no qualms, he wouldn’t have partaken tonight. Placing his palm against Lydia’s hand on the table to capture her attention, Wade spoke in a low tone. “Early call tomorrow so I’m remaining completely sober. Please don’t bring it up again.”

Her eyes widened. “An early call? You mean you have an appointment?”

“I mentioned it back at the house, remember? I’m doing a consultation and need to be there no later than seven a.m.”

Lydia blinked her eyes in shock. “I’m barely hitting the snooze button at that hour.”

“Mrs. Sutton is an early riser. She also mentioned an appointment at the bank later in the morning, and we don’t want to be rushed. It suits me perfectly. I’ll have the rest of the day to begin drawing up a quote and begin discussing the remodel with my architect.”

Wade made a note not to forget to bring his camera so he could take lots of photographs to work from afterward. Memory was often faulty. He usually took several pages of notes and drew spec notes, as well as jotting down a client’s wants, needs, and wishes.

His excitement to see the historic mansion was like Christmas morning when he was a kid.

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