The hostess let us know our waiter would be by shortly for drinks or starters.
I was actively ignoring the fact that there was a large bar taking up the length of the wall in front of me, regretting not choosing to sit on the bench seat on the opposite side of the table that had a view of the ocean. I rolled my neck, trying to ease some of the tension in my shoulders as I opened the menu in front of me.
At least the alcohol had its own separate menu that thankfully wasn’t placed beside mine.
I cleared my throat, shifting in my seat as I looked up to give Jae a silent look.Holy shit, this place is expensive.
I flicked my eyes down to the menu and he winced. He mimed sending me a text and my brows furrowed. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and realized I did in fact have a text from him.
You’ll have to confirm with the chef what hasn’t been cooked with alcohol.
My eyes skimmed the menu. Nearly everything was cooked with alcohol. It made sense with this being a primarily seafood restaurant. I probably should have researched the menu before coming this evening.
I gave Jae a nod and he smiled, returning his full attention to his dad who had asked him a question.
I flinched as Sebastian leaned into my personal space, to speak into my ear. “What are you thinking?”
I turned my head with a questioning gaze before I realized he was referring to the menu.
“Um, not sure yet. You?”
“Probably the pasta or a burger. I’m not a fan of fish.”
I nodded in agreement. Reading the ingredients listed beneath the burger he was referring to. That sounded like the safest option for me too. I’d just have to find out if the ‘house sauce’ contained any alcohol. Surely they had a kids menu. Would it have been weirder if I just ordered off of that?
It was several long minutes of listening to my family chat before the waiter arrived.
“Hi folks, I’m Mike, I’ll be taking care of you tonight. What are we all dressed for this evening? A birthday?”
“No,” Uncle Q answered with a smile, throwing his arm over the back of Jae’s chair. “We’re celebrating my son’s business opening tomorrow.”
Mike gasped with a wide smile, “Congratulations! Can I get some cocktails going, or a bottle of wine for the table?”
I knew Jae was looking at me, but I ignored him as everyone actually looked toward him for direction. I had already told Jae when he texted earlier today that I was fine if they ordered alcohol for the table. I guessed they bought the lie he told them last night about him not drinking alcohol.
“Um, Dad?” Jae asked.
“You sure?” Uncle Q asked.
“Yeah. It’s fine.”
Uncle Q pursed his lips, staring at Jae for a moment longer before nodding and turning to the rest of the table. “Everyone okay with white wine?”
Everyone of drinking age at the table was in agreement, aside from myself and Jae, and the waiter asked some follow-up questions on which bottle they would like. He took drink orders for the rest of us non-drinkers and then left.
“We don’t need to drink,” Uncle Q said softly, leaning closer to Jae.
“It’s fine. I just don’t like it in the house,” Jae replied with a smile.
Uncle Q gave Jae’s shoulder a gentle squeeze before pulling away.
The waiter arrived only a few moments later, offering my Uncle the chance to taste the wine before he poured it for the table. After he gave his approval, I blocked the wine glass beside my place setting with my hand when he offered it. He nodded, swiftly moving around the rest of the table.
I felt like a fly on the wall as the table conversed about Jae and his accomplishment, about the gym, and about how proud everyone was of him.
I didn’t want to bring the mood down, so I excused myself to go find the waiter before he came to take our orders and confirmed that the burger was a safe option for me. I took a pitstop to the bathroom, just to avoid having to go back to the table right away and found myself staring at my reflection in the mirror above the sinks.
My hair was significantly shorter, a low fade with the top the longest I could get away with in regulation. I smiled, thinking about how Shiloh had been sad for me knowing I had to get a buzz cut during basic training.
