The waitress gave a nod. “No problem, take your time.”
Ana picked up her menu. It would give her something to do with her hands which ‒ thank god ‒ had stopped shaking.
Brett drew her attention before she could open it. “Yeah, this is my first date where I had to swipe right.” He smiled. “I must say, I’m glad it’s not something you do all the time. I was a little worried about the kind of women I might meet through this type of service.”
Ana wasn’t sure what to say to that so she picked up her wine and took a sip. She gave a small nod to show that she was listening.
“Didn’t you find it weird having to sift through all the profiles?”
“It was a little strange.”
Brett picked up his menu but didn’t open it. “I guess we live in a world where it’s becoming more and more difficult to meet people in the regular fashion. I work twelve-hour days so …”
“I can understand how that must make it difficult.”
“Yeah well, one must work hard to get ahead.” He opened his menu but didn’t look down. “I recently made partner at my firm.” He took a sip of his whiskey.
“Oh, that’s great. Congratulations!”
“Just last month and four years early.”
Ana frowned. “Four years?”
“Yup, I had planned to make partner by forty. I’m only thirty-six so that’s sooner than I’d anticipated.”
“It certainly is. That’s wonderful. You must be thrilled.”
“I am.” He looked serious for a moment, his brow creased and his lips pursed. “I have a four-bedroom home, with a pool and a big landscaped garden.”
“Oh!” If he thought to impress her with money, he was sadly mistaken. “That’s great!”
“Complete with a white picket fence.” He swirled his glass. “Granite tops in the kitchen and marble finishes in all the bathrooms. It’s quite lovely.”
She nodded, taking another sip of her wine. “That’s wonderful.”
“All that’s missing is a family.” He was looking at her strangely, almost like he was judging her reaction. Maybe a guy like him had women coming onto him for his money.
Ana put down her glass, giving another nod. Maybe he just liked the attention that money brought him. Well, he was barking up the wrong tree. She scanned through the appetizers, a couple of things catching her eye.
“What do you do?” Brett picked up his own menu and opened it, he kept his eyes on her.
“I’m a nurse at the Sweetwater Hospital.”
“Oh!” He smiled. “How nice!” The way he said it was kind of patronizing.
“I really enjoy my work, I’ve—”
“I guess being a medical worker is something that could come in handy.” He rubbed his chin.
Ana frowned. “What do you mean?”
“In the home, that is. I’m sure you want to become a mother … have kids one day. Maybe even sooner rather than later?” He raised both brows.
“Yes.” Her heart beat a little faster. “I would love to be a mom … one day that is.” Her chest tightened. Ana picked up her glass and took a big glug of wine, not sure where this conversation was going. Not liking the direction.
“Shall I order some water?” He frowned, glancing at the wine glass still in her hand. He had a look of disapproval but she knew she must be reading him wrong.
“Yes, that would be nice,” she answered, trying to be polite. Ana put the wine glass back down.
He settled back in his chair and smiled at her. “It’s good to know.”
“What is?” she asked, as Brett flagged down one of the waiters and ordered water.
“Good to know that you want to be a mom.” He turned back to her. “It’s important to establish these things early.”
What was he on about? He must have seen her confused look because he elaborated. “I’m looking for marriage and a family.”
Ana took another big sip of her wine, her heart all a-flutter. Her stomach knotting back up. “This … um … this is our first date. It’s too soon to—”
“It’s never too soon to make your intentions known,” he interrupted. “I’m looking for a wife … there, it’s out. I know that most women want marriage and security so I doubt I’ll have much trouble. I just don’t want to waste my time, is all. I realize that not everyone is looking for the same thing. Not everyone wants kids.” He paused. It was like he was waiting for her to interject if she had something to say. “That’s why I was a bit worried about using a dating app. I’d heard that the people you meet … the type of person … some of them are just out for a good time …” He pulled a face. “Hey, are you okay? You look a little flustered.”
“I’m fine.” She tried to control her breathing. I can handle this. I can!
Brett gave a small nod. “So, you’re not just here for sex, are you?”
“No,” she blurted. “Not at all.” It’s fine! It’s all good.
“Well, then we can relax and enjoy our date.” He narrowed his eyes, leaning forward in his seat. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Ana gasped for air, her throat closing quickly. Please no! No!
“Can I pour you some water?”
Ana nodded. She was way beyond water. Way beyond trying to talk. Shit! This isn’t happening. It isn’t! The room was hot … that’s why she felt flushed. That’s why she couldn’t breathe. Damn! Dammit all to hell!
Brett hurriedly poured water, some of it sloshed over the rim of the glass, his eyes were filled with concern. “You’re sweating.”
Gee, I hadn’t noticed.
She grabbed the glass and tried to drink some but it gushed over her lips and down her neck. Cold! Ana swallowed the little bit she could. It felt like a rock trying to go down a straw. Her throat was officially closed. The room was both spinning and crystal clear, all at the same time.
Around them, waiters carried beautifully prepared meals and expensive bottles of wine. Diners chatted, drank and ate their meals, oblivious to the turmoil in the far corner of the room.
“What can I do?” Brett was out of his seat. “Are you having an allergic reaction? Do you have medication in your purse?” He lifted her purse from the chair next to her. “Is it in here? Try to breathe slower.”
Gee, why hadn’t I thought of that?
Ana realized that she was being a bitch but couldn’t help it. She needed to get the hell out of there. She pushed her chair back, eliciting a hard scraping noise on the gleaming wooden floor. Oh shit! Now the people from the table next to them were gaping at her and one of the servers was making her way over, eyes wide.
Out!
Now!
She had to leave. If she made it outside and to the safety of her car she would be okay. It was a pity, but she didn’t feel like that was going to happen. She was beginning to feel light-headed. Her stomach seemed to clamp and unclamp. Stars were beginning to flicker in and out of her vision. She felt dizzy … no, she felt … ill. Her legs might not work anymore but she needed to try.
“Out,” she managed to somehow moan the word. She planted her hands on the table and used it to leverage herself up into a standing position. Well sort of. She was hunched over the table. Her glass of water tipped over, clanging as it hit, water soaked into the beautifully crisp white tablecloth.
“Ana,” Brett kept calling her name. He clasped her elbow tightly. “Sit. You shouldn’t be—”
Ana twisted around, trying to push past him … trying hard not to … her stomach gave a heave and out it came. The apple she’d munched on before coming here and the wine, her vomit was sour … it was disgusting and it was all over Brett’s shoes, all over his left leg.
Untethered is out now
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Dragon Prince Page 26