conversation with Wes. “When are we going to hear the proposal story? That’s what I’m waiting for.”
“Proposal?” Wes asked.
“Jack and Rose just got married,” George explained. “Only a few weeks ago, I believe, right? It was a surprise to everyone in the firm.”
Wes looked from me to Rose. “Congratulations! I had no idea. We should’ve ordered champagne to celebrate.”
“Thank you. We’re just getting used to it ourselves. It happened so fast. I mean we fell for each other so fast,” Rose said.
“Give us all the details,” Fred chimed in. “So we can overlook the fact that none of us were invited to the wedding.”
Rose laughed then turned to look at me. “See, Jack, how nice—everyone wants to hear the proposal story.” When I just stared into her sparkling eyes, her smile tightened and she turned back to Fred. “Oh, I couldn’t. If I started, I’m afraid I wouldn’t stop. I have no brakes when it comes to talking about Jack.” She turned to me and patted my arm, a little too hard if you asked me. Trying to hide my smile, I licked my lips and reached for my whiskey as she said, “And this is a work dinner so I wouldn’t want to take over.”
“Nonsense,” Samantha pushed. “We have plenty of time to talk about work. Jack, however, is a complete mystery when it comes to his private life. We’re dying to hear anything you’re willing to share.”
Leaning back, I kept silent and waited to see how she would get herself out of this.
Rose sent another pleading yet angry look my way. “His proposal was actually very special to me, so if it’s okay, I’d like to keep that between us. That said, I’m sure Jack wouldn’t mind telling you how we met.” My hand was resting on the table when Rose covered it with her own and patted it twice. “Right, honey?”
The waiter returned with the second course—more seafood.
Her hand seemed a little cold, or maybe it was just her nerves, but her ring bit into my skin. She had finally worn it without me having to prompt her. Turning my hand over, my palm against hers, I linked our fingers together and our eyes met again. I didn’t realize it wouldn’t escape everyone’s notice and they would look at me in shock.
“It’s not as exciting as you’re all thinking,” I warned. “I made a complete fool of myself and it somehow worked on her.”
“Oh, now you have to give us more than that.” Samantha placed her hand on my forearm. “Especially after saying the cold and calculated Jack Hawthorne made a fool of himself.”
I reached for my whiskey with my left hand, getting rid of Samantha’s touch in the process. “If Wes doesn’t mind taking a little break from talking about work—”
Wes cut in before focusing on the plate in front of him. “Of course. Please go on.”
After everyone’s seafood dishes were served, another waiter came over and leaned between Fred and Rose to place a different one in front of her. It was larger and fuller than the other plates he had just delivered. “Creamy steak fettucine with shiitake mushrooms,” he explained quietly, only for Rose’s ears.
Her surprised gaze flew to mine. I wasn’t sure if she was aware of it, but her fingers tightened around mine and she softly said, “Jack, you didn’t have to say anything. I’m the only one who—”
When I was served the same pasta dish as her, she didn’t finish her sentence, instead giving me a big smile that reached her tired eyes for the first time since we’d walked into the restaurant. She mouthed a silent thank you.
My eyes dropped to her smile and I had to let go of her hand or otherwise... “A better option than seafood, I hope.”
“This is perfect, really. Thank you.”
Fred broke into our little conversation. “Come on, you’ve been whispering all night with each other. You’ll have plenty of time to flirt with each other once you leave here. Tell the story, Jack.”
“I already told you it’s not that exciting, certainly not exciting as your story with Evelyn.”
Fred turned to Wes. “He’s probably right. The first time we met, my wife, who is also a lawyer, threatened to put me in jail, and she almost managed it, too.”
“Oh, I’d love to hear about that,” Rose cut in, most likely trying to get them to stop talking about us so we wouldn’t have to come up with a lie. I had no intentions of lying,