Tia spotted her from across the room. She didn’t want it to be the gorgeous blonde sitting by herself at a corner table, but somehow she knew that it was. Wearing a strapless knit dress of turquoise blue, she looked impeccable.
“Tia D’Amico,” Leo said politely, “I’d like you to meet Natalie Morgan.”
Natalie extended a perfectly manicured hand, grasping Tia’s warmly. “I’m so happy to meet you,” she said with what seemed genuine sincerity. “Welcome to San Francisco.”
As Tia thanked her, Leo pulled out a chair. But after she was seated, Tia couldn’t think of a thing to say. She was literally speechless.
“I already ordered hors d’oeuvres,” Natalie announced. “I hope you don’t mind,” she told Tia. “I know you’re the foodie, right? But I thought you guys might be hungry.” She pointed to her nearly empty wine glass. “Plus I needed some food to go with that moscato. But I hope I didn’t overstep—”
“Not at all. That’s fine.” The truth was, Tia would’ve liked to have made her own choice, but what could she say? “What did you order?”
“The chicken liver pâté, which is awesome. And the onion tart.”
“That sounds good.” Tia scanned the hors d’oeuvres section of the menu, thinking she would’ve preferred the coquilles Saint Jacques and the baked Camembert. But really, despite having had no lunch, she had no appetite.
“Did you have a good flight?” Natalie asked.
Still perusing the menu, Tia explained how she’d been upgraded to first class.
“Oh, good for you,” Natalie said. “It’s the only way to travel. Flying coach is like being in a cattle car.”
The waiter arrived to take their drink orders. Dressed in traditional black and white, he was strikingly attractive in a dark, mysterious way. His attention was focused on Tia, but before she could say a word, Natalie spoke up. “We must have champagne—to celebrate.” She reached for Leo’s hand, caressing it. “Or haven’t you heard the news?” she asked Tia.
“News?” Tia shrugged.
“That Leo proposed to me today.”
“Today?” Tia looked curiously at Leo. “You told me you were engaged, but I had no idea it was so recent. Congratulations—to both of you. How exciting.” For some reason this aggravated Tia even more. Not only had it felt like Leo had kept this information from her, but to hear he’d only gotten engaged today, well, she felt slightly blindsided.
He nodded. “So far only our parents know about it.”
“So, to celebrate, we want champagne,” Natalie told the waiter. “Your Cuvée Brut, please. The Vilmart, 2000.”
“Very good,” he told her. “Anything else?”
“I’m fine with water,” Leo said without much enthusiasm.
“Yes, water’s fine,” Tia echoed. She suspected the champagne that Natalie had just picked was well over a hundred dollars. She hoped Leo could afford it. But even if he couldn’t, it wasn’t her problem. She focused her attention on the handsome waiter as he recited the specials, feigning interest despite knowing that most restaurant “specials” were simply the product of surplus food items about to go bad.
The waiter left to get their champagne, and she returned to studying the menu. She couldn’t help but notice that the prices were exorbitant—probably as much to do with the location as the quality of the food. She also knew that since her aunt and uncle weren’t here, she should be prepared to pay for her own dinner tonight. It wasn’t like she was Leo’s date.
“I feel a bit intrusive,” she admitted as she laid her menu aside.
“Intrusive?” Natalie said. “It was your aunt who set up this reservation for you. If anyone is intruding, it’s probably me.”
“Except that you guys got engaged today. You should be celebrating with a nice romantic dinner, and, well, here I am.” She made a meek smile. “Kind of like a third wheel.”
“That’d be a tricycle,” Natalie teased. “I loved my trike as a child. And I’m very happy to share this evening with you, Tia.” She turned to Leo. “Aren’t you?”
He nodded with an uncertain look. “Of course.”
The waiter returned and set up the ice bucket next to Leo. “This is a very good year,” he said as he worked the cork out, releasing it with a festive pop. “The lady knows her champagne.”
“Well, I had time to study the menu,” Natalie admitted as the waiter poured the first glass, handing it to her with a flourish. “I would love to have something this good at our wedding, but I’m afraid Daddy would put his foot down over the price.”
Leo’s brow creased as if curious as to what this bubbly was going to cost him, but he said nothing as the waiter handed a glass to Tia. She really didn’t want any, but the least she could do was sip to a toast. Unfortunately the rest of her drink, probably around $25 worth, would remain in her glass. Not to be rude, but simply because she didn’t care for champagne.
After the waiter left, Natalie and Leo lifted their glasses and Tia, feeling very much like a bulky third wheel on a sleek racing cycle, raised hers. But no one said anything until Natalie looked at Tia with raised brows. “Will you do the honors?” she said politely.
Tia swallowed hard, then nodded. “Here’s to the most glamorous-looking couple I’ve ever had dinner with.” She made a nervous smile, knowing that was a pretty shallow toast. “May your lives together be truly blessed, filled with love and happiness.” As everyone clinked their glasses together, Tia longed to disappear. She would rather be anywhere just now. She wished she was back in D’Amico’s, even if she’d been demoted to peeling potatoes. She could not remember the last time she’d felt as miserable as she felt tonight.
When the waiter took her order, Tia made her requests in French, ordering soupe a l’oignon and sole meuniére. “I know the onion soup is a little repetitive with the tart,” she told him, “but I’d really like to try it.”
“Very good.” He smiled pleasantly.
Natalie’s order was more complicated, but it was plain to see she was comfortable with the menu. She asked the kinds of questions that servers liked to hear. This was a woman who knew her way around good cuisine. Judging by her hair, clothes, and jewelry as well, Natalie was well-off.
Leo’s order was simpler and to Tia’s surprise, he ordered the sole meuniére as well. Was it because it was the cheapest entrée on the menu or simply because he liked fish? Why should she care? The sooner this evening ended, the happier she would be. Somehow she made it through the hors d’oeuvres, making idle conversation as she pretended to pick at the onion tart and liver pâté. It wasn’t that the food was bad. It was really quite good. But her stomach felt as if she’d ingested a bag of cement for lunch.
Suddenly she realized the table was quiet, and she suspected it was due to her presence. She was obviously putting a damper on what was meant to be a festive evening. “I must apologize,” she told them. “I think I’ve been worrying about Roland again.” Okay, it was a flat-out lie. She hadn’t actually thought of him since meeting Natalie. But she didn’t know what else to say.
“How about if I text Julie?” Leo offered. “See how the old guy is doing?” He looked at Natalie. “Do you mind?”
“Normally, I would. But under the circumstances.”
“I’d appreciate it,” Tia told him.
“How upsetting for you,” Natalie told her. “To come all this way to help your aunt, and on the same day, your uncle nearly dies.”
“On the same day . . .” Tia shook her head. But again, instead of fully focusing on her ailing uncle, she was thinking it was on the same day as Leo went and got himself engaged—to another girl. “Tell me, Natalie,” Tia said when she saw that Leo was still focused on his phone, “how did you guys get engaged? Did Leo do some amazing stunt, like all those ones you see on YouTube?”
“Julie says that Roland is feeling much better. He even ate dinner and he’s resting comfortably now.”
“Oh, good.” Tia thanked him as he put his phone away. “That’s a relief.” She turned back to Natalie. “And now for your engagement story. I’m dying to hear it.” That wasn’t completely disingenuous. She did feel like she was dying in some ways.
“Well, it’s not very exciting,” Natalie admitted. “Nothing anyone would want to watch on YouTube.” She poked Leo in the shoulder. “Mr. Parker here is not exactly a romantic.”
Leo made a guilty-looking shrug. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay, baby. I’m sure it’s partly my fault.” She refreshed her glass of champagne then turned to Tia in a confidential way. “You see, we’ve known each other for, well, forever. Our parents have been friends since long before we were babies. In fact, our mothers made a secret pact, back when we were both in diapers, that we would marry one day.” She laughed. “But then Leo went his way and I went mine.”
“Uh-huh.” Somehow Tia could imagine this. The two beautiful blond babies playing together, their mothers speculating about what a lovely couple they would make someday. They did make a lovely couple. Already Tia had noticed other guests in the restaurant peering at them with curiosity, almost as if they suspected the handsome pair were celebrities. They just had that sort of look.
“Anyway, I graduated from Stanford Law School in March.” Natalie took a sip of champagne. “And went straight to work at the firm.” She turned to Leo. “That’s where both our dads work, and where James—that’s Leo’s dad—had hoped that his only son would come join him someday.” She smiled as she poked Leo again. “Anyway, Leo and I started spending time together a couple of months ago and, well, one thing led to another. Today we met for lunch downtown, and I took the bull by the horns.” She grinned at Tia. “I made my demands.”
Tia was confused. “Huh?”
“Natalie?” Leo put a hand on her shoulder.
“Oh, it’s okay.” She waved a hand. “We can trust Tia, can’t we?” She turned back to Tia with a furrowed brow. “You just have that sort of face. Trustworthy.” She patted Tia’s cheek. “And very pretty too. Did anyone ever tell you that you resemble Penélope Cruz?”
“Actually, my dad’s girlfriend said the same thing.” Tia looked curiously at Leo. Was Natalie getting tipsy?
“I told Leo that it was time to fish or cut bait.” She frowned. “However that saying goes. Anyway, I told him that I was not going to hang around forever. Good grief, I’m almost twenty-nine.” She finished off her champagne. “And I’ve heard that most women who wait until thirty to marry, don’t.”
“Don’t?” Tia was confused.
“Marry.” Natalie pointed at Tia. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-five.”
Natalie nodded. “Oh, well, that’s okay. You have plenty of time.”
“Oh.”
Natalie held her glass out to Leo again, but this time he shook his head. “You need to get more food into you.” He put a piece of the onion tart on her plate. “Eat up.”
“But I’m telling Tia our story.”
Natalie took a big bite, then turned back to Tia. “I made him propose to me,” she declared. “Can you believe it?”
“You didn’t make me,” Leo gently told her.
“No, I didn’t, did I?” She gave him a sweet smile.
“As my dad can attest to, no one can make me do anything.” Leo put the cloth napkin over the champagne bottle as if to hide it from Natalie.
“Oh, yeah.” She nodded as she chewed on a piece of baguette with pâté. “You are a stubborn man. You proposed to me because you wanted to, didn’t you?”
“That’s right.”
After the waiter brought their entrées, Leo asked him to bring Natalie a cup of espresso too. Then he looked at Tia with what seemed an apologetic expression. The table got very quiet as they started to eat. Uncomfortably quiet. Tia attempted to make small talk, focusing on their food and the restaurant.
“The reason Julie wanted me to come here tonight was to be a culinary spy,” she confided. “I offered to take photos of the menu, but Julie said no.” She laughed. “I wouldn’t really do that. But I did study the menu pretty carefully. It’s definitely a good one. I’m not sure if Julie wants only French cuisine on the boat, but I wouldn’t mind.”
She told them about how she’d been cooking Italian for the past couple of years. Leo asked her more about her family’s restaurant, and she was relieved to fill him in on everything she could think of to fill the space. Meanwhile, Natalie concentrated on her food. By the time they were finished and Natalie had consumed most of her meal and her espresso, she seemed to be returning to normal.
“We have to do dessert,” she told them with renewed enthusiasm. “No one should leave Le Bernard without dessert.” She pointed at Tia. “Besides, you’re doing research, remember? You can’t ignore their dessert.”
Tia had no appetite, but to pacify Natalie, she ordered crème brûlée with an espresso. As she poked her spoon through the crispy burnt sugar, she wondered if she’d ever had such a deliciously despicable dinner. Hopefully this nightmare would end soon.
When the bill came, she reached for her purse, but Leo told her to stop. “Your aunt insisted that tonight’s meal was on her.”
“But I—”
“No arguments, Tia. Julie will cover your meal. I’ll cover the rest.”
“Okay.” Feeling more awkward than ever, she excused herself to the “little girls’ room.” As she pushed open the door, she realized that Natalie had followed.
“I’m sorry I acted like such a moron,” Natalie said as they went in together. “I should’ve known better than to have a second glass of champagne.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Tia said uncomfortably.
“I just hope I didn’t ruin your meal.” Natalie peered into Tia’s eyes with real concern. “Please, tell me I didn’t.”
“Of course you didn’t,” Tia said lightly. “It was a delicious meal. I know why Julie speaks so highly of this place.”
“Oh, good.” Natalie hugged her, holding her tightly. “And what I said about twisting Leo’s arm to marry me . . . I hope you’ll chalk that one up to too much champagne.” She released her and giggled. “I mean, of course, it’s partially true. But it’s not something I want repeated, if you know what I mean.”
Tia put a forefinger over her lips. “It stays here.”
“Thank you.” Natalie pointed to the available stall for Tia to go in. “I knew I could trust you, Tia. That wasn’t the wine talking. I can tell you’re a loyal friend. And believe me, I’m good at reading people.”
“Oh.” As Tia went into the stall, she suppressed the urge to stomp her feet and scream in frustration. Why did Natalie have to be so nice? Especially when all Tia wanted was a good excuse to hate her. Oh, that’s right, she had an excuse. Natalie had taken the only guy that Tia had ever felt seriously interested in.
By the time Tia emerged from the restroom, the table they had occupied was empty. “Your friends said they’d meet you outside,” the server said with what seemed a flirtatious smile. “But if you want to lose them, I’ll be off work in an hour. Buy you a drink at the bar while you wait.”
As uninterested as she was in his offer, she felt a strange sense of comfort that he found her attractive. “Thank you.” She smiled. “I have to decline, but I do appreciate being asked.”
“Another time.” He winked, then headed for the kitchen.
Bracing herself, she went outside to find Leo and Natalie embracing. She turned her back, extracting her phone from her purse and pretending to be engrossed in the messages there. All two of them. One from Julie, telling her how to get into the house. And the other from Uncle Tony, telling her he missed her.
“I miss you too” she texted Uncle Tony back. More than you’ll ever know, she thought as she hit send, still waiting for Leo and Natalie to remember she was with them. A taxi slowed down in front of the restaurant, and she was tempted to raise her hand and jump in, but before she could pull off this childish move, Leo and Natalie came over.
“Sorry,” Natalie said. “I had to apologize to Leo too.” She sniffed, almost as if she’d been crying. “So embarrassing.”
“You’re sure you don’t want me to give you a ride?” Leo asked her.
“No thanks, the valet already went for my car.” She smiled brightly. “Really, I’m fine, baby. The food and coffee did the trick. Plus there’s no way I’m leaving my car here overnight. I’ll be home in ten minutes.” She pointed to the street where a small silver Porsche was pulling up to the curb, then leaned over to give Leo one last peck. “See you tomorrow, baby,” she called over her shoulder as she hurried to her car. She tipped the valet and, looking sleek and glamorous, climbed in and took off.
“You really think she’s okay to drive?” Tia asked with concern.
“Yeah.” He nodded glumly.
“How about you?” Tia asked as they walked toward Powell Street.
“Huh?” He frowned. “You think one glass of champagne would impair my driving?”
She shrugged. “That wasn’t what I meant.”
“What then?” he asked as they crossed the street.
“You just seem a little sad. Like something’s bothering you.”
“I’m fine,” he said in a clipped tone. Neither of them spoke as they walked to the cable car stop. Tia felt like she’d stepped over some invisible line. Almost like she should apologize. Except that she wasn’t sure what she was sorry for. Well, other than the fact that Leo was engaged to someone else. She was definitely sorry for that. Not that she planned to admit as much—to anyone.