Tides and Tidings

Chapter 24

Charlie

N o. No. No.

Absolutely not.

This cannot be real. Not today. Not with this. My stomach sank and my blood boiled. The head chef was embezzling money and the restaurant was shut down three days ago with no warning.

Blythe continued to read the article as I stared at the graffiti. “Antonio DiNofrio has been charged with embezzling. L’Acqua, his flagship Italian restaurant, was shut down immediately. No reason as to why has been released.”

Her eyes followed mine to the window. “We could head back to the hotel and order that room service.”

“They didn’t even call to let me know.” My blood pressure rose. Tonight needed to be perfect and this ruined it. Was this the universe’s way of telling me I shouldn’t ask her to marry me? Because this seemed like a sign. “Tonight is fucked.”

Her face softened, “Babe, it’s fine. It was just dinner.”

“It wasn’t just dinner.” I snapped. Blythe’s eyes went wide. “Tonight was supposed to be the best and…” I caught myself before I said anything. “And now it’s ruined.”

“It’s not ruined, Charlie. We just need to change our plans.” She rebutted.

“Blythe, can you not for one damn minute?” I tried to take a deep breath but it felt like my lungs couldn’t take any more air.

“What the fuck is your deal?” Blythe shook her head slowly. “You’ve been off all day and now you’re losing your ever-loving shit because the owner of the restaurant is a douche. Get a grip, Charlie.”

My fists balled at my side. “This isn’t how it was supposed to go!” I leveled my voice, remembering we were in a very public place.

Blythe cocked an eyebrow at me. “So what? Was dinner the make or break? No.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, “I can’t speak for you, but I’ve enjoyed our time alone. I love Wren with every fiber of my being, but not having any responsibilities has been nice.”

I raised my eyes from the sidewalk to meet hers, “I just want to go back to the hotel.”

I started towards the hotel.

“I have heels on, you ass. I can’t walk that quickly!” She yelled from behind me as I stopped walking. Blythe caught up. “What I’m going to need from you is to lose your freakin’ attitude.” Her arms were crossed against her chest and she shrugged her shoulders. “Honestly, the way I look at it? We just saved a whole bunch of money on food that was going to leave us hungry in two hours.”

She wasn’t wrong.

“Here are your choices.” Blythe’s voice was firm. “Either we get changed and go out or we’re packing our stuff up and driving home. The ball is in your court.”

“Bee—”

“What?”

“I—” I lost all my words.

“You what?

“I was going to p—” Alarm bells rang in my head. Stop talking .

“Going to what?” Blythe’s eyelids narrowed ever so slightly.

Think. Think. Think.

“I was going to order the Caesar salad.”

“A salad?” Blythe looked at me, confusion plastered on her face.

“Yeah.” I nodded slowly.

“You don’t like salad. You think it’s stupid.” She mocked me, eliciting a small smile.

“I heard it was good.” Bad lie . “The best.”