like fun. I’m pretty outgoing. Privacy isn’t a problem because I don’t gossip anyway. And I’m up for any challenge. I’m a big people person, so working in a collaborative hospitality environment sounds enjoyable. I’m pretty easy to get along with.”
“Great.” She made some notes before she turned back to me. “When can you start?”
My smile fell when I heard what she’d said. “Wait, what?”
She smiled. “Yes, you got the job.”
“No…”
She chuckled. “I think you’ll be a good fit here.”
“Really? I’ve never been hired on the spot before.”
“Well, I have a knack for these sorts of things. I can read people pretty well.”
I made a couple air punches. “Yes. Yes. Yes. I really wanted this job. And to top it off, I’m going to dinner with my man tonight, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to propose. So, I got my dream job and my dream man.”
“Aw, that’s great.” She set down the papers now that the interview was over and brought her hands together on the desk, her fingers interlocked. She was naturally poised and elegant, but she had a relaxed aura to her as well. “I remember when my husband proposed to me. The greatest day of my life.”
“Did you know?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t. How do you know?”
“He’s been acting differently. A little quiet, a little mysterious. I think he’s nervous. He just flew in this morning and wants to take me somewhere nice for dinner.”
“He travels for work?”
“He’s a pilot.” I waggled my eyebrows.
“Ooh, must be a smart guy.”
“Yeah, I have a thing for smart guys.”
“Well, I’m excited to see your ring on Monday.”
“And I’m excited to show it off.” I got to my feet to shake her hand. “And thank you so much for the opportunity. I’m so excited to be working here. It’s kind of a dream job.”
She came around the desk, and instead of taking my hand, she hugged me.
I hugged her back, feeling like I was hugging a mother rather than a boss.
“It’s the best job in the world, if you ask me.” She pulled away and squeezed my arms before she let go. “See you soon.”
Vince sat across from me at the table, the two of us drinking a bottle of wine while we ate our appetizers. A white candle glowed on the table between us, and other couples in the restaurant talked quietly and enjoyed each other’s company. He was in a black blazer with a gray shirt underneath, and his smile lifted as he stared at me. “What are you so happy about?”
Well, I’m about to get engaged. “I got that job.”
“You did?” His smile widened. “That’s great, baby.”
“Looks like I don’t need to mooch off you anymore.”
“Like I mind you being in my debt.” He gave a charismatic wink.
Only a guy like him could pull off a move like that. I took a sip of my wine to cover the flutter in my heart. I’d been looking for the right man for a very long time, and now I had a sexy pilot who was everything I wanted. I’d seen him in his pilot’s uniform at the airport, pulling his luggage behind him with the flight crew in tow. They stopped at the gate and waited to be let on, and since I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity, I gave him my number. He called a few days later, and the rest is history.
It’d only been six months, but I didn’t need any more time to know this was the man I wanted to spend my life with.
His phone must have kept vibrating in his pocket because he dropped his smile and pulled it out to check the screen. His look of disappointment was undeniable.
“Work?”
“Yeah, let me take this.” He walked toward the lobby before he answered.
I continued to drink my wine and enjoy the stuffed mushrooms. He was scheduled to be off this weekend, so I hoped he wasn’t being called to cover for another pilot. We were supposed to spend the weekend at his apartment, tangled up in the sheets, my ring sitting on his nightstand while I showered.
He came back a few minutes later, his face pale.
“Everything alright?”
“Yeah.” He grabbed his wine, took a big drink, and then he faced me once more, still looking visibly uncomfortable. “Baby, there’s something I need to talk to you about. I know it’s a lot to take in, but…we’ll figure it out.”
Shit, he wasn’t proposing. “Oh my god, are you sick?” I set my glass