Diane looked up from the coffee order she was filling to see her fiancé on the other side of the counter with a bright smile and holding a bouquet of red roses in one hand.
“Hey,” she responded, returning to what she was doing.
“That’s it?”
She looked at him quizzically.
“We haven’t seen each other in nearly two weeks, and that’s all I get. A hey?”
“What do you want me to say, Derek?” she asked, looking from him to the lone customer in the corner reading a book and waiting for her coffee order. She fixed her eyes on him once more. She had forgiven him for all the missed appointments, but she was beyond angry with him because he hadn't shown up at the beach. Only she couldn't go off on him the way she wanted because she was still working.
“After all you've put me through, what more do you want me to say? Hmm?”
“What more?” Derek gawked.
“What do you want me to say, Derek?” she repeated, staring pointedly at him.
“Oh, I don't know. Maybe, hi, I'm happy you took time off your busy schedule to be here,” he suggested.
“Are you kidding me right now?” She skewered him with her hot gaze. “What about the fact that you promised me you would come to the beach outing with my family and didn't bother to show up?” She folded her arms across her chest, waiting for his answer.
“I told you it was a tight fit, Diane, but I would try. However, it didn’t work out, and I couldn't make it. I told you that,” he said matter-of-factly.
“A text on the day doesn't count as you telling me anything,” she seethed.
Derek released a heavy breath as his eyes shuttered. “Look, I'm sorry, okay? I really wanted to be there, but my boss gave me a last-minute project, and I just couldn't finish it on time,” he reasoned.
Diane shook her head in disappointment. “I'm finding it hard to feel sympathetic to your plight right now, Derek. I am your fiancée, yet it feels like I am invisible to you when it comes to your work. I shouldn't have to compete with a job for your attention.”
“I know. You shouldn't have to,” he agreed with a nod. “But the only other option is quitting my job. Is that what you want me to do?” he asked, looking up at her from under his lashes.
Diane sighed. “Of course, that's not what I want. I just feel like you're not fighting as hard for what we have, and it scares me to think that I might be the only one in this,” she explained, exposing her vulnerability.
“But I'm doing this for us. All I do is for us. We're starting a new life, Di. It takes a lot of planning and having all that we need so we don't have to struggle.” He reached across the counter for her hand. “I can't do this without you,” he spoke earnestly. “I love you.”
Her gaze softened at his declaration. It was moments like these that reminded her why she loved him in the first place. He had such a sweet side to him that always put her mind at ease.
“I love you too.” She smiled softly. He returned her smile.
“What do you say we get out of here for a while? I want to take my beautiful fiancée on a date,” he said, his voice lowering a few decibels as he fixed her with a smirk.
Diane's heart fluttered, and her smile broadened. “Of course, you can take your beautiful fiancée out to lunch. I know for a fact she won't object.”
“Oh, you do, do you?” Derek smiled broadly, leaning toward her.
“Easy, cowboy.” She chuckled, pushing him back. “I still have a customer to serve.” She jutted her chin in the direction of the woman who still had her head buried in the book and was oblivious to everything else happening around her.
“Don't want to give her a show?” He pumped his brows suggestively with a smirk.
“You are so funny.” She laughed louder as she pushed him farther back. She placed the coffee and sandwich on a tray and rounded the counter. “As soon as she's done, we can go,” she told him before walking over to the woman.
Fifteen minutes later, she was riding shotgun with Derek in the driver's seat of his Range Rover as they zoomed on W Pioneer Way before turning onto W Waterloo Road. Less than a minute later, they pulled into the parking lot of Rizza's Café and Lounge.
“Welcome to Rizza's,” a petite woman in a black-and-white uniform greeted them by the door.
“Thanks, reservations for Kent,” Derek informed the woman with a polite smile.
“Right this way,” the woman instructed as she led them to a table against the far wall. “Your server will be with you shortly,” she informed them after placing menus on the table.
