Lisa shook her head. She really didn’t want to spend any more time with him after watching him inhale his dinner. "Look, Johnathan. I had a really nice time, and I appreciate you inviting me out, but I have an early morning tomorrow, and I'm kind of tired."
“So, in other words, I take you out for dinner, fork the bill and get nothing in return?” he said, handing the waiter the bill with a credit card.
“This is only our first date. We’ve only spoken to each other on the phone before now,” Lisa answered curtly, not liking the way the conversation was going.
Johnathan looked at her and smiled meanly. “Gotcha. Okay, it’s been nice, but you really aren’t my type anyway. See ya.”
Heather watched as he walked out of the restaurant, leaving her sitting by herself.
“Excuse me, miss,” the waiter said. “The gentleman’s credit card was denied. Does he have another way to pay the bill?”
Lisa chuckled to herself and took out her wallet. “That was no gentleman but don't worry; I'll pay the bill."
Chapter 9
Lisa walked into the coffee shop and looked around for Tristan. He had called her early that morning, asking if she wanted to meet for lunch. She had no idea what had prompted the invitation, but he had said it was about Heather.
She wondered if Heather had told him about her kiss with Troy and wondered if he just needed a shoulder to lean on.
“Hey, thanks for agreeing to meet me,” Tristan said, waving as Lisa walked towards the table. He certainly didn’t look like someone who was upset.
“No problem. I don’t have a lot of time, but I can find time for my favorite real estate agent. What’s up?” she said, sitting down and looking over the menu. Looking at the waiter, she smiled and said. “I’ll just have the small salad.”
“And I’ll have the tuna sandwich,” Tristan added.
When the waiter had left, Tristan looked at Lisa seriously. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I wanted to meet up today.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “It’s about this,” he said, handing the box to Lisa. Opening it, she found one of the biggest diamonds she had ever seen. While she was admiring the ring, the waiter quietly placed their plates in front of them, and Tristan dug in.
“Holy shit,” Lisa whispered. “When did you get this?”
“I just bought it though I’ve been planning to for a while. I’m going to propose to Heather tonight. She won’t expect a thing.”
Lisa looked at Tristan and suddenly felt incredibly sorry for him, but bit her tongue. It wasn’t her place to tell him that his girlfriend was actually thinking of another man and had kissed him.
"Well, that's great, Tristan. I’m sure she will say yes. Where are you doing it?”
“At the beach. I’ve made arrangements at the Sandbox to have a table set up down in that secluded little cove. Remember the one we discovered when we all went to the beach two years ago?”
Lisa nodded. It was a day she would never forget. It was the first time she had seen Tristan shirtless, and the image remained in her mind even now. “Yeah, I remember that place," she said.
“I’m making arrangements to meet her there. She'll be told to go to the restaurant, and the waiter will bring her down to the beach and along the path to where I’ll be waiting for her at the table.
“Sounds romantic. I’m sure she’ll love it,” Lisa said. “Have you told her about dinner yet?”
“I’ve called her a few times and left messages, but I’m sure she’s busy. If I don’t hear from her later on this afternoon, I’ll just send her a text with instructions to follow,” Tristan said, taking the last bite of his sandwich. “How’s the candle business?”
“It’s good. I finally got my website up so people can now order online. I’ve already had ten orders this week," Lisa said, finishing her salad.
“That's great news, well done," He checked his watch and jumped. "Shit, I didn't realize it was so late. I have to get back to work. I'm closing a big deal this afternoon, and I want to finish on time. Thanks so much, Lisa. I was so excited I just had to tell someone, and you were the first person I thought of."
“Lucky me," Lisa said, grabbing her purse, trying to hide her disappointment as they walked out of the restaurant.
“I feel closer to you than most of my friends. I really appreciate our friendship,” Tristan said, giving Lisa a tight hug. “Wish me luck,” he said as he turned and walked down the sidewalk towards his car.
Lisa watched him walk away and shook her head. She wanted her friends to be happy and hoped that after tonight Heather would finally find the happiness she wanted. Hopefully.
✽✽✽
“Mr. Darlington. The hotplates will be set up just before the waiter leaves the beach. There is a table for two arranged there, and we have taken the liberty of lighting tiki torches around the perimeter for when it gets dark,” Dave, the owner of the Sandbox, said as he went over the list of requests Tristan had made. “I’m sure you will find everything you asked for.”
“That’s perfect. Thank you, Dave. This is a special evening. I’ve asked Heather to arrive at the restaurant around six-thirty. The plan is for her to be escorted down to the beach, is that right?”
“Correct. One of our waiters will inform me that she has arrived, and I will call you. The food will then be promptly delivered and put on the heaters next to your table. One waiter will stay behind to serve, and once that’s done, they’ll leave.”
“Wonderful. I think you have covered everything,” Tristan said, checking his watch. “Okay, I better get down there. Wish me luck.”
Walking down the beach, Tristan felt in his pocket to make sure he had the ring. The bulge in his front pocket comforted him as he walked down the small path that led do the inlet. Dave was right; it had been set up beautifully and looked very romantic.
Checking his phone, he frowned. He still hadn’t heard from Heather but could see that she had read his texts and messages. Putting the phone on the table, he reminded himself that she was probably busy at work.
Tristan knew Heather loved surprises, so he was certain she would be eagerly wondering what he had planned from the scarce information he had sent her. He expected to see her coming down the path any moment as he went over exactly what he wanted to say to her in his head.
Waiting was not something that Tristan had the patience for, so he tried to calm his nerves, but when he looked at his watch and realized it was almost seven-fifteen, he began to worry that something happened. Had she been in an accident? Was she lying in a ditch somewhere?
His phone buzzed, and he unlocked it excitedly, but it wasn’t Heather. Mr. Darlington, she still hasn’t shown up at the restaurant, Dave texted. Shall we keep waiting?
Knowing that Heather was always on time, he texted Dave back. No, I guess I’ve been stood up. We can close it down. I’ll come by and pay the bill. Thank you for your trouble.
When he got back to his car, he sat for a while, trying to call Heather. He kept getting her voicemail, which only concerned him more. Something must have happened to her.