She nodded.
He moved his arm around her and pulled her close. “Then you’ll like this.”
The restaurant was only a short ride away from his building. She’d never been to this one before. It was an elegantly decorated building in browns and golds. Once inside, and after Lance confirmed his reservation, they were led through the busy dining room to an elevator. Tammy looked around and noticed that there wasn’t an empty table. So where were they eating?
She gave him a questioning look and he put a finger to his lips and gave her a mischievous look.
She lifted a single brow in amusement.
The elevator doors opened to a rooftop dining terrace. There were lush plants and flowers surrounding the tables, and soft lighting to accentuate the ambiance.
“Oh dear.” It was breathtakingly beautiful—and romantic.
He watched her closely and seemed pleased with her reaction. Like the dining room downstairs, this one was also busy. Obviously this was a popular restaurant. Well, with a rooftop terrace like this, it had to be.
He took her hand and followed the host to a table isolated by sweet smelling potted flowers at the back of the terrace.
The man pulled out the chair for her and she sat down still in awe.
Lance sat across from her as the waiter showed, introduced himself, and handed them menus while he reiterated the specials of the evening.
Lance ordered a bottle of expensive white wine.
“Excellent choice sir.” The waiter turned and left.
His attention then turned to Tammy. He smiled. “You are pleased.”
“I am. It’s lovely!” she breathed in excitement.
The waiter came back with the wine and poured them both a glass.
She reached across the table and covered Lance’s hand with hers. “Oh Lance, I can’t thank you enough. I didn’t realize how uptight I was until now. I mean for a long time, not here. These few days have been wonderful.”
“Seeing you happy, makes it worthwhile.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it. His eyes went to the ring.
Oh, she’d completely forgotten about that. “I should give this back to you.” She started to pull the ring off but he stopped her with his own hands.
“After the event tomorrow.”
“Oh yes, I guess, more public pictures, and my parents.”
He nodded and released her hands.
She couldn’t help but feel crestfallen at letting her fantasy end.Get a grip girl, you are a mature adult, she scolded herself. Lance never made her any promises. And why would he possibly want to marry her when—
“Lance?”
A feminine voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up and saw a beautiful brunette wearing a dark blue dress that looked like it used to be a tube sock from the way it fit over her. Tammy really couldn’t blame her for wearing it, she had incredible curves.
The brunette’s blue eyes went to Tammy and she could see the curiosity in them.
Lance stood up and actually placed a kiss on the woman’s cheek in greeting. It was an indicator to her that he knew the woman intimately.
“Marianne Fletcher, this is my friend Tamara Easler.”
Tammy did her best to keep the disappointment out of her expression. He’d introduced her as if she was just a family friend when she stupidly thought she was more than that now. She said hello and slid the hand with the ring on it under the table. She didn’t know why Lance did that, but it hurt.
“Nice to meet you Tamara.”
