Page 57 of Falling for You
When they arrived in the lobby, it was packed with other competitors. CeCe recognized some people from earlier in the day, but she kept her eyes down and focused on Evan and her friends. The foursome walked down the street to try a fusion restaurant that boasted the best Brazilian Thai food.
“This reminds me of a place I used to go to in New York,” Ginny said as she scanned through the menu. “Everything sounded wild in print, but it was heaven on the plate.”
Max reached over, snatching his fiancée’s hand and kissing it before picking up his own menu. The sight bolstered CeCe’s resolve to tell Evan the truth, because she wanted a future like that. Thinking back to her conversation with Natalie, she wanted that for her friend too. CeCe made a mental note to follow up with Natalie as soon as they were back in Buckeye Falls. She’d selfishly missed her friend’s own hiccups with relationships, and that didn’t sit right with her.
The group ordered their meals and delved into conversation about the competition and their jobs. Ginny sipped from her wine and nodded to Evan. “How is your website for the boutique coming along? I hope Natalie and I aren’t overworking you.”
Evan beamed. “No. I’m happy to have the contract. I have the framework up and the graphics selected. I’m waiting for the shop owner to send over some pricing guides and inventory lists. I should have it done before next week. I wanted it out of the way before the wedding.”
Max winked. “Which cannot come soon enough.” Either oblivious to their audience or simply not caring, Max cupped Ginny’s face and kissed her as their waiter arrived with their meals. The waiter cleared his throat and started placing their plates on the table.
CeCe’s chest nearly exploded with the need for that type of connection. She’d known Max for years, all before his and Ginny’s reconciliation. While she’d never considered Max anything but happy before, he was practically ecstatic with everything he did these days. She’d caught him whistling the wedding march while taking out the trash last week, like he was walking down the aisle instead of out to a dumpster.
Evan speared a dumpling from her plate with his fork. “Trade you a dumpling for a steak egg roll?”
Laughing, CeCe reached over and took an egg roll from his plate. Not waiting for a reply, she took a huge bite and laughed when the sauce spurted out onto table. “I guess I’m a little overzealous.” Evan smiled, reaching out to swipe a blob of sauce from the corner of her lip. Without blinking, he licked the sauce off his thumb and winked.
Yeah, someone needed to turn the AC up in this place. CeCe blinked and reached for her iced tea, eager to slow her pulse and racing thoughts. He did things inside her ribcage that likely warranted the help of an esteemed cardiologist.
“Want to split a dessert?” Max asked, pulling the dessert menu from the center of the table. “I heard they have these mango tapioca thingies that are to die for.”
Ginny wiped her mouth and shook her head. “Oh no,” she lamented. “I barely fit into my dress when I went in for a fitting last week. I need to cut back.”
Clearly not having it, Max raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “You realize you’re marrying a chef again, right? Food is never not going to be around.”
Ginny laughed and inched closer, lowering her voice. “And you realize you’ll have a naked bride if she can’t zip up her dress.”
“I fail to see the problem,” Max cooed.
“Okay,” Evan said, his voice full of laughter. “I’m usually not bothered by PDA, but you guys are so sweet you’re giving me diabetes. We might as well skip dessert.”
CeCe reached out and took his hand under the table, squeezing it before she agreed. “I’m with Evan on this one. Yeesh.”
Before Max and Ginny could reply, a familiar squeal erupted from the entrance to the restaurant. Turning around, CeCe paled when she saw Eric walk in, surrounded by a slew of women. One of those swooning women was Mallory, practically fanning herself as she followed Eric and his harem inside.
Evan pulled back and rubbed the back of his neck. “This will not be good.” He ground the words through his teeth. “What is Mal doing?”
“Fangirling?” Ginny suggested.
“Fan what-ing?” Max asked, clearly not up-to-speed on slang.
“It means she’s making an ass of herself,” Evan said, pulling himself to standing and marching to his sister.
Taking the opportunity, Max lowered his voice and asked, “Is everything okay? I heard Eric found you at the exhibit hall.”
CeCe took one more careful look over her shoulder and sighed. “Yeah. It’s fine. Frankly, I’m more worried that Evan doesn’t know about us. I’m terrified he’s going to learn it from someone else.”
Max swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing in time to the cheers from the entrance. “Y-y-you need to tell him, CeCe. Now.”
CeCe paled at the appearance of Max’s stammer. It reared its ugly head when he was worked up. “I will. Tonight. I was planning on it before everyone’s favorite asshat showed up.” She hitched a thumb over her shoulder and slunk down in her seat. During times like this, she was grateful for her shorter frame.
Ginny took action, pulling her wallet out and waving down their waiter. “I’ll get this covered. You guys save Mallory from herself. I’ll meet you outside.”
Max and CeCe nodded. He led the way, shielding CeCe from Eric’s line of sight. When they walked past, she reached for Evan’s hand and gently tugged. Their eyes met for a moment, and he nodded. She couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel and open up to him. She was ready to share the burden of her past. All the reasons she’d stayed quiet fell away, because she didn’t care anymore. Eric was the past, and she was looking at her future.
It didn’t matter how she’d acted before, didn’t matter how she’d reacted to Eric’s behavior. She was herself, the best version of herself, now that she’d found her confidence. Eric’s decisions, and reactions to her leaving, had no bearing on her life. Of course Evan had a lot to do with that change, but she’d found what made her happy on her own. Clutching his hand now, she could only pray he could feel her love through their intertwined fingers.
Yet all her bluster and resolve crumbled at the sound of Eric’s voice. “Is that my favorite pixie, CeCe?” Eric’s voice cut through the din of the crowded restaurant. There was a slight slur in his words, as if he’d started happy hour early.
