The young man waited while Mia and Elias seated themselves, then handed them their menus. “Enjoy your evening. Your waiter will be over in a few minutes.”
“Thank you,” they replied in unison, then smiled at each other.
“So,” Mia began, flipping open the menu, “you obviously know him, since he didn’t even ask for your name before showing us to the table. Exactly how often do you come here, and who with?”
She’d thrown the last bit in in a casual tone—but it must have been too casual, as Elias gave her a shrewd look. “I come here around once a fortnight, sometimes more. With clients, and colleagues.” He glanced around. “I know what it looks like now—all loved-up couples, but I’m mainly here in the daytime, or on weeknights. It appears to have a different vibe at weekends. But as long as the food is as delicious as it usually is, I think you’ll be impressed. At least I hope you will.”
Relief seeped into Mia’s veins, but even that did nothing to stem the confusion simmering in her brain. Why was she so happy to find that Elias had only ever been here before in a non-romantic capacity? Why did it even matter? It was in the past, which bore no relevance whatsoever on the present or the future. Why was jealousy a consideration—particularly when it was so hypocritical? How could she have multiple men in her life and yet experience these feelings?
“Mia?” Once more, Elias’s eyes were full of concern as he peered at her over the top of his menu. “Are you all right? You look like your brain is about to explode.”
“Oh, charming,” she shot back, lifting her own menu higher to hide her face. “I must remember to effect a more attractive thinking expression.”
She might not have been able to see him any longer, but she heard his sigh even over the sounds of the diners and staff around them, and the background music. “You know damn well that’s not what I meant,” he almost growled. “Am I missing something here?” There was a pause, then he continued, “There’s no one here I know—except people who work here, of course—so we won’t be interrupted and you won’t have to deal with spontaneous introductions. I’ve never been here on a date before, and I was very much looking forward to you being my first—and hopefully my last—but it seems I’ve misjudged somehow. Could you enlighten me, please, because although I thought I was a fairly smart guy, I’m feeling pretty dim right now.”
Mia lowered her menu again to find Elias staring at her so earnestly that a cold lump of guilt dropped directly into her gut. She sighed, then peered quickly from side to side to make sure no one was listening. “I’m sorry, Elias. This is my problem, not yours.”
He shook his head. “Mia, we’re getting married. Your problems are my problems. I’m not saying we ever have to tell each other absolutely everything, but if you’re concerned about something, I want to know about it, even if it’s nothing to do with me, or I can’t help. Though in this case, I suspect it is something to do with me.”
She shrugged. “It is, and it isn’t.”
Elias frowned. “Well, that’s as clear as mud.”
His expression was so quizzical that she couldn’t help but laugh.
“That’s better—you’re laughing. Now come on, tell me. Quick, before they come to take our orders.”
His tone was light, but she knew it was important to him, so she took a deep breath, then said quietly, “I was… jealous. Then I couldn’t understand why, given our unique situation. I have no right, especially since it’s in the past. My thoughts ran off by themselves, launching questions around and for a moment, I couldn’t figure anything out. I still can’t, actually, but it’s something I’m sure I’ll get to grips with eventually. To coin a phrase that’s been thrown out a lot since Dad died, I’m settling into my new normal, and it won’t happen overnight.” She shrugged. “I just hope you’ll bear with me.”
“Are you kidding?” Elias wrinkled his nose. “Mia—new normal, old normal, whatever. I’m here for you, all right? You won’t scare me away, so please don’t hold back when you have thoughts like this.” Now he did a check for potential eavesdroppers before continuing. “I understand why you’re confused about the jealousy thing. But there are no rights and wrongs in our situation, and there are a lot of variables, so sometimes we might have to muddle along as best we can. All right?”
She nodded. “Variables is one way of putting it,” she said with a smirk, her misgivings melting away and her mood lifting. “You’ve just described our lives in possibly the unsexiest way ever!”
Elias raised his eyebrows. “I have, haven’t I? And that’s quite the achievement, when you consider just how much sexy is involved!” He smiled, and looked set to continue, but stopped abruptly as an attractive Chinese girl, also dressed all in black, but with her hair cut in a sleek, dark bob, arrived at their table.
“Good evening,” she said, smiling at them. “I’m Cho, and I’ll be your waitress. Are you ready to order drinks?”
“Er…” Elias replied, seeming a little on the back foot. He glanced at Mia. “Are we ready?”
“I haven’t decided what I’d like to eat yet, so should we hang fire on ordering wine until we know?”
“Good idea. Water for the table?”
“Perfect.”
Elias returned his attention to Cho. “Sorry—we were so busy talking that we haven’t finished looking at the menu. Can we get a carafe of water for now, and we’ll order drinks when you come back to take our meal order?”
“No problem. I’ll be right back with your water, then I’ll give you some more time to decide on what you’d like to eat.”
“Thank you,” he replied.
“Thanks,” Mia added, smiling at the girl’s retreating back and idly wondering if her hair was as smooth as it looked. She shook her head and returned her attention to the menu. The place’s speciality was beef steaks, so she had to try one—but the question was, which one? “God, so many choices!”
Elias chuckled. “Tell me about it. Want me to recommend something? Or you can ask Cho when she brings the water. They’re super knowledgeable in here.”
She twisted her lips thoughtfully, then said, “I don’t think I’ll manage three courses, so would you recommend I have a starter or a dessert? I’m sold on steak for mains, I just don’t know which one yet.”
“Umm… that’s a tough question. I haven’t had a single disappointing morsel in this place, and I think I’ve sampled most of the menu. But… given your sweet tooth, I reckon you’d be better to skip a starter and save room for dessert. The cheesecake is to die for. And as for the steaks—they’re all great, of course, but the fillet is… what’s another phrase for to die for?”
“Delicious?”
“Not quite strong enough, but yeah, you get the idea.”
“All right. I think you’ve made my mind up for me then.”
“Good timing, since Cho’s on her way back.”
They smiled and thanked the waitress as she poured them each a glass of water before putting the carafe down in the centre of the table. “Are you ready to order?”
“Yes, we’re ready, thanks,” Mia said.
“All right.” She looked at Mia first. “Would you like a starter?”
Mia shook her head. “Not this time. I’ve been told the cheesecake is to die for, so I’m saving room for that.”
Cho smiled and bobbed her head. “Good choice. I’m not just saying this because I work here, but it totally is. So, for mains?”
“The fillet, please.” Mia glanced back at the menu. “With peppercorn sauce.”
“And how would you like it cooked?”
“Medium, please.”
“Very good. And you, sir?”
“Exactly the same, please, except I’d like the blue cheese sauce instead of peppercorn.”
“The cheesecake, too?”
“Yes, please.”
“No problem. And to drink?”
Elias replied, “Whichever wine you think would best complement the steak, please.”
“Al
l right.” The waitress thought for a moment. “We have a wonderful Pinot Noir. Would you like me to bring it?”
Elias glanced enquiringly at Mia, who replied, “Yes, that would be great. Thanks.”
“Okay. Let me go and place your orders with the kitchen, and I’ll be right back with the wine.”
“Thank you,” Elias and Mia said at the same time, then laughed.
“We’ve got to stop doing that,” Mia said, smiling. “People will think we’re some weird couple that finishes each other’s sentences.”
“I don’t know about finishing each other’s sentences, but we’re already a pretty weird couple,” Elias replied, smirking.
“True. But I’d rather be weird than boring.”
“Me too.” He lifted his glass of water. “Here’s to not being boring.”
“Toasting again,” she exclaimed, but picked up her own glass and clinked it against Elias’s. “To not being boring.”
Chapter Four
“Oh my God,” Mia said, leaning back in her chair with a groan of satisfaction and curling a hand over her stomach. “You weren’t exaggerating when you said the cheesecake was to die for, were you? My taste buds are doing a happy dance here.”
Elias’s eyes glinted and his dimples appeared. “That’s a relief—I thought you were going to do a runner when we first got here.”
Mia shot him an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I’m—”
He held a hand up. “No need, Mia. Honestly. I’m just glad you stuck around and that you enjoyed the meal.”
She smiled. “Very much so. Trouble is, we’ve been on a private Thames cruise and eaten in what you say is possibly the best restaurant in the country—I know you’re a guy with resources and friends in high places, but how are you ever going to top that?” She winked to show she was teasing him.
“Now you come to mention it, I do have an idea…”
She leaned forward eagerly, her eyes wide. “You do?” Seriously, what next? Exclusive use of Buckingham Palace?
“Yes.” He took her hand, then glanced around before reaching into his pocket with his other hand and bringing out a small, black velvet box.
Mia’s heart pounded, and her mouth went dry. Was he really going to…?
He placed the box on the table between them, then flipped it open. Inside sat a beautiful ring—a slim gold band set with five stunning rubies. “This was my grandmother’s engagement ring. I didn’t go out and buy you one because I’d prefer we went together so you can choose one yourself. I would hate to make a bad choice and have you feel like you had to wear a ring you didn’t like. So please consider this a temporary placeholder, if you will, until you’re ready to go and choose something more permanent, or even have one designed, if you like. I’m not going to get down on one knee, as I suspect you’d find the attention that would attract both uncomfortable and embarrassing.”
He squeezed her hand, then removed the ring from the box. “So, I guess that leaves only one question… Mia Harrington, will you marry me?”
Conscious that any overt reaction would draw the attention that Elias had rightly suspected she didn’t want, she spread the fingers of her left hand to make it easy for him to slip on the ring, then whispered, “Yes, Elias Pym. I would be honoured.”
“Oh no,” he replied, sagging with relief before sliding the ring onto her finger with a grin, “the honour, beautiful lady, is all mine.” He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles. “I think this is just the beginning of an amazing adventure, and I look forward to sharing it with you,” he lowered his voice, “and Alex, of course.”
And Tom, she wanted to add, but this was not the time or the place, so she cupped his face for a moment, then pulled her hand in so she could look at the ring. “And I you, Elias. This ring is gorgeous.” She turned her hand this way and that, gazing at the band and its glittering pinky-red stones. “May I ask you a question?”
He inclined his head. “Of course.”
“What if I don’t want another ring? What if I’d like to keep this one? Is that an option? I understand it’s a family heirloom and has sentimental value—”
Elias sat up straighter in his chair. “Mia, if you want to keep it, that’s absolutely fine.” His face glowed with pride. “In fact, that would make me incredibly happy. Like I said, it was only ever meant to be a placeholder since I didn’t want to pick the wrong thing and have you feel like you were lumbered with it, but nor did I want to give you a ring from a pack of Haribo Starmix.” He grinned widely and looked down at the ring, then up at her face. “You know, I think my grandmother would have liked you. Hopefully she’s giving us her blessing from wherever she is now.”
Mirroring his grin, Mia replied, “Hopefully.” Then a thought occurred to her. And once it had, she was surprised she hadn’t considered it before. “Speaking of blessings, do your parents know? I’m assuming they must, because…” She held up her left hand.
Mia’s heart skipped a beat when Elias’s smile faded and he dropped his gaze to the table for a moment, before meeting her eyes. “Actually,” he replied, chagrin painted liberally on his features, “they don’t.”
“What?”
“They don’t know anything about us… yet.”
Mia opened her mouth to respond, then suddenly became aware that raising her voice a moment ago—however unplanned—had caused some nearby eyes to turn in their direction. “Shit,” she hissed, then forced a smile. “Darling,” she said sweetly, stopping just short of batting her eyelashes at him, “would you like to get the bill? I’m ready to leave.”
Elias’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, then he returned her smile, though his was tentative. “Of course, darling.”
Thanks to the efficiency of the staff, Mia and Elias were out on the pavement within a few minutes. No longer worried about being overheard or causing a scene, Mia wheeled on Elias, clutching her shawl tightly around her. “What the hell are you playing at, Elias? How can you—?” she waved her left hand wildly in front of him, ring facing outwards, “do this, and not breathe a word to your parents? Do they have any idea you even have the ring?”
He snatched her hand from the air and held it to his chest. “Come on, let’s walk and talk. And if you could let me get a word in edgeways, I’d really appreciate it.”
His tone and demeanour were calm, and Mia couldn’t decide whether that should cool her ire or just make her angrier. “Fine,” she replied, her irritation still bubbling away, “so walk. And talk.”
He manoeuvred them so he held Mia’s arm, then led them away from the restaurant, the river at their backs. “Christ, this was really not how I pictured this evening going.”
“Obviously, since Alex was supposed to be here, too,” she snapped.
Elias shot her a wry glance. “For once, I’m glad he isn’t. He’d be pissing himself at my epic failure.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t try to talk you out of it, to be honest. He seems to be the most practical out of the two of you.”
He frowned. “Talk me out of what?”
“Proposing with your grandmother’s stolen ring, of course!” She rolled her eyes.
Stopping abruptly and turning to face her, he replied, “My grandmother’s what? Mia, I think we’ve got our wires seriously crossed here. All this, tonight, was arranged at the last minute, after Alex had to cancel. I figured I’d make the most of us being alone together and propose to you officially. The ring—which is not bloody stolen, thank you very much—belongs to me. Well it did, until I gave it to you, I mean. Argh, what I’m trying to say is, it was mine to give, or lend, or whatever. My grandmother bequeathed it to me in her will, I think in the hopes it would encourage me to find a nice girl—her words, oft spoken—to settle down with. It’s been in the safe in my apartment ever since, and I thought it was the ideal solution to a problem I didn’t even know I had until I got the call from the hospital. It’s all been a bit crazy.”
He blew out a breath,
causing a visible cloud in the cold air, and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry, Mia. I totally screwed this up. I thought I was being romantic and spontaneous, but I should have realised that getting engaged—officially—was way too important to do on the spur of the moment. If you want to change your mind, do this some other time, or even tell me to bugger off altogether, I’ll understand.”
After allowing her brain a moment to catch up and realising she really had no reason whatsoever to be pissed off with Elias, Mia held out her hand and looked at the ring, which glinted beautifully in the lights from nearby streetlamps. Already it looked like it belonged on her finger. “So, let me get this straight… the plan for this evening was entirely different, then when Alex got called into work, you cooked up a crazy scheme at the last minute to lavish me with romance and delicious food, then propose to me with a stunning ring which you have every right to have in your possession?”
Elias raised his eyebrows, then nodded. “That’s it, in a nutshell. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, you already said that. And you know what—there’s no need to apologise. None at all.” She stepped forward, smiling, and slipped her arms around his waist. “It’s me who should be saying sorry. I jumped to entirely the wrong conclusion about the ring, and now I’ve gone and ruined what started out as a perfect evening—in spite of it being arranged at the eleventh hour.”
Putting his hands on her hips, he replied softly, “Don’t be silly. You haven’t ruined anything. We had an amazing time on the boat, a meal to die for—there’s that phrase again—and you said yes, officially, to marrying me. I’d actually say it worked out to be an incredible evening. So,” he moved his hands to cup her face, “does that mean you’re keeping the ring? You haven’t changed your mind?”
She smiled as she looked up at him. “Hell yes, I’m keeping it. It’s beautiful and I love it already. And no, I haven’t changed my mind. We’re doing this! Bloody hell, we’re really doing it. This year!”
Mia's Wedding_A Reverse Harem Romance Novel Page 3