“What are you talking about?” She frowned at him. “I don’t know where you get the idea that I’m still thinking about what happened. I’m not.”
“Your dreamy expression says the opposite.” That did the trick. The disgusted look she threw him obliterated all traces of the brief glimpse of passion she’d revealed in the back seat.
“Over-confident much? This is why I don’t get involved with guys like you. There they are,” she said, and strode ahead of him toward the table.
Guys like him? Smarting from that and aware of both Malcom and Caroline watching them, he forced a bland smile. As he approached the table a few steps behind Vi, Grandpop squinted a fraction, then murmured something close to Caroline’s ear. With a curious look, she glanced from Blake to Vi.
“Hi, Gran, Malcom,” Vi said loudly enough to be heard over the din. “Sorry we’re a few minutes late.”
“Your face is flushed,” Caroline noted. “You’re not coming down with something, are you?”
Paying no attention to Blake, Vi shook her head. They both knew kisses had put the blush on her cheeks. She took one of the two empty chairs, leaving the one beside her for him.
“Well, why are your cheeks so flushed?” her grandma persisted.
Blake didn’t care for the scrutinizing looks the grandparents directed at them. “It’s chilly out there,” he said, “and we parked a bit away from the entrance.”
Caroline seemed surprised. “That’s odd. We had no trouble parking close to it.”
“Didn’t I tell you this place fills up quickly?” Grandpop said. “How are you two?”
“Fine, thank you.” Vi picked up the menu. “I haven’t eaten here in years. What do you recommend, Malcom?”
“Whatever suits you. It’s all good. Caroline and I are in the mood for fish and chips. As we get further into fishing season, everything will be fresh caught.”
Moments later, a college-age male server took their orders. Four cocktails, four salads, four fish and chips. They made small talk, Blake tiptoeing around the engagement and prenup. Vi shifted restlessly beside him, signaling her impatience to get to the point. “Relax,” he reminded her under his breath.
She held off until the drinks arrived and the server delivered the meal. Then, shooting a quick glance at Blake, she spoke. “Are you still interested in the unit you mentioned the other night?”
Malcom nodded. “Yes, but it’ll be another few weeks before we can move in.” He took a healthy sip from his neat Scotch.
After a few minutes’ silence, courtesy of digging into the meal, Vi wiped her hands on a napkin. “This is delicious, even better than I remembered. In the prenup agreement, who will own the unit if something, uh, changes?”
What had happened to subtle? Blake elbowed her. “Ouch,” she said, none too softly. “I’m curious.”
“We haven’t discussed that—I haven’t seen the agreement yet,” Grandpop said. “My lawyer should deliver it sometime in the coming week.”
Caroline tapped her finger to her lips. “I hadn’t thought about a prenup.”
She and Grandpop exchanged looks, and Blake caught his breath, waiting for a troubled expression that with any luck would drive a wedge between them.
But, no, she smiled. “I think it’s a good idea, Malcom. That way you know I’m not marrying you for your money. I’m marrying you because I love you.”
Looked as if the prenup wouldn’t be a problem. Blake’s hopes deflated like a leaky bike tire. He and Vi shared a now-what? look. The besotted seniors, busy with way too many brief kisses, didn’t appear to notice. Blake was uncomfortable with the spectacle, and Vi muttered something about public affection.
“Stop it, you two,” she said.
Make that ordered, not that it changed anything.
“What’s wrong with a few light kisses to show our affection for each other?” Malcom asked.
Vi shared her opinion. “That kind of thing should be private.”
Caroline’s glare shocked her. “If you don’t like it, look the other way.”
“Come on you two,” Blake said. “People are staring.”
“Oh, all right,” Caroline grumbled. “We’ll make up for it later.” She kissed Grandpop again.
