The seats for the dinner are assigned, and Drew and I end up at a table with the Tates. Nina’s brought a date, a quiet young man named Everett Montgomery who’s introduced as a family friend. There’s absolutely no chemistry between Nina and Everett; Nina’s clearly still interested in Drew, and Everett’s mostly interested in his phone.
“How’s your research going, Drew?” Nina asks, as the waiters bring out the salad course.
“Well, I took a bit of a break this past week,” he says, glancing at me. “Ally thought I was working too hard.”
Nina nods. “Self-care is very important.”
“Oh, I agree.” Drew’s tone is serious, but there’s a gleam of amusement in his dark eyes. His gaze catches mine, and I press my lips together to suppress a laugh.
Peter Tate smiles at me. “You seem to be a good influence on him, Ally.”
“I’m trying my best.”
As the waiters clear the first course, two women walk to the podium to award the door prizes. We were given tear-off tickets at the door, and I pull mine out of my purse. We watch as one of the cardiologists wins a ski weekend at Blue Mountain, and someone else wins dinner at a fancy restaurant downtown.
The last prize is a couple’s massage at The Glow Studio, an upscale spa not far from Drew’s condo. The woman at the podium reads the winning number, and I’m only off by one.
When no one claims the prize, she reads the number again. I realize Drew hasn’t been paying attention, and since my ticket was only one number off, he’s probably holding the winner.
I nudge his arm. “Hey, check your ticket. I think you won.”
He digs his ticket out of his pocket as the woman at the front reads the number for the third time.
“Oh, that’s me,” Drew says, standing up. There’s a chorus of applause and laughter as he walks to the front to collect the pink prize envelope.
“Your lucky day, huh, Drew?” Danielle Tate says when he returns to the table.
“Yep,” he agrees, although it’s clear he has no idea what he’s won. He opens the envelope and looks at the gift card. “The Glow Studio,” he murmurs. “A spa, right? I think this one’s for Ally.”
“I would think it’s for both of you,” Danielle teases.
“I would hope so,” I agree, as Drew slips the card back into the envelope and tucks it into my purse.
The waiter starts to serve the main course, and Drew leans over to ask me what he won.
“A couple’s massage,” I whisper.
“What?”
“A couple’s massage,” I repeat. “You go and get massages together. I’ll look into making an appointment.”
Drew’s eyes widen. “No. I mean?—”
“Drew, have you had a chance to try the new Thai restaurant downtown?” Nina interrupts.
Drew gives me a look to let me know the massage conversation isn’t done, then turns to Nina. “No, would you recommend it?” he asks politely.
Nina chatters about restaurants for the rest of the meal, comparing places in Somerset to her favorites in Toronto and New York.
As the dessert course is ending, the speeches start. The chair of the Hospital Foundation thanks everyone for coming, then the CEO makes a speech that’s heavy on clichés but light on substance. He talks about teamwork, shared goals, and stepping stones, then meanders to an anecdote about a summer job he had as a teenager.
“Someone should have told him the secret to a good speech is to keep it short,” I whisper to Drew. “Leave the audience wanting more.”
“Good advice,” Drew says softly.
“Hopefully this’ll be the end of the speeches,” I murmur.
“I doubt we’ll be that lucky.”
