Page 42 of Embraced in Ink

And this was only their first date.

“Are my eyes misleading me, or is that an engagement ring?” the owner asked, looking down at Bristol’s hand.

She froze for a moment before looking into Marcus’s eyes. She could have sworn she saw worry there, and then he smiled, a brilliant one that went straight to her core.

She loved his smile.

“We’ve been a little busy since we were last here,” Marcus said smoothly.

She was grateful that he’d spoken because there was nothing smooth about her right now.

“Finally? Oh, yes. I’ve always known the two of you were perfect. Huh, always pretending to be only friends. I knew there had to be something more. Dinner’s on me tonight.”

“Oh, no, don’t. Please. Thank you, but you don’t have to do that,” Bristol said quickly.

“No, no. Dinner’s on me.” He turned. “My favorite customers are finally engaged. Soon, there will be babies and happiness, and even more family members wanting my food.”

Bristol knew she was blushing from head to toe, and Marcus lowered his head, his shoulders shaking.

Was he laughing at the fact that everybody was staring and clapping? Or at the fact that she was bright red like a tomato?

She didn’t know, but she had a feeling she would make him pay for this later.

The owner left after the chef brought out an order of spring rolls, tara wings, and nam sod.

Marcus ordered his spicy Tom Yum Goong, while she ordered a Tom Kha Gai for their starters. Then they’d decided to splurge and share Choo Chee Salmon and basil chicken, each of them deciding not to go with curry for the night because they were already too full from the appetizers. However, the leftovers from this place were amazing, and her stomach couldn’t help but growl.

She was moaning in ecstasy over her soup, and Marcus looked at her with amusement, shaking his head.

“What?”

“You constantly surprise me with your love for food.”

She set down her spoon and tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you always go full-tilt at it. Even though I did just growl at you for not eating enough for the day.”

“I am more than making up for it.” She patted her belly.

“I’m already full over the appetizers and soup, but you know I’m going to eat like half of my dinner.”

“And some of mine. I would probably eat the whole thing, but I know how much you love leftovers.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You like leftovers as much as I do.”

“That’s true. And we usually end up watching movies and gorging ourselves on whatever leftovers we can and then order in even more through takeout.

“Wow, don’t we sound like gluttons?”

“We don’t do it often.”

“Often enough.”

They grinned at each other and continued eating, laughing at silly things while filling up on tasty and amazing food.

“This is nice,” she said suddenly, hoping she was saying the right thing.

Marcus looked at her, tilting his head. “Why, did you think it wouldn’t be?”