So considering the way we argued, and the tension between us over the last few days, what is this weird lunch about?
All I know is that I can’t hide in the bathroom forever, and I have to go and face him sooner or later.
Exiting and heading back to our little table, Dan is waiting for me with a Cheshire grin. “Your surprise is almost here,” he tells me, before plunging his phone back into his pocket.
“What surprise?” I ask, even more bewildered than before.
“If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise, silly. Now drink your cappuccino. How have you been the past few days?”
“Don’t try to make small talk with me, Dan O’Brian!” I huff. “I know something is going on, but I just haven’t figured it out yet.”
“I thought you knew everything?” he says, his grin growing wider like he was waiting all morning to make that quip.
“Sometimes I really hate you,” I snap back.
“But after today, you’ll love me, I’m sure of it.”
I already think I do, I say, but only in my mind, where admitting such things won’t cause horrible consequences.
I don’t want to make small talk, drink a cappuccino, or even have lunch. I want to figure out a way to get into the engagement party, and I have a scant few days to do it. If Dan is wasting my time with this asinine lunch, I swear—
I stop mid-thought as the cafe door opens and a familiar face walks in…one I absolutely did not expect. Roxanne Feng is dressed impeccably in a short black dress, her short blonde hair brushed behind, and her eyes are locked directly on Dan and me.
“Oh look, Elise,” Dan says, sounding much too pleased with himself. “Your surprise is here.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Why is Roxanne here!?” I ask as quietly as possible, but it’s no use. Roxanne is already here at the table, and whatever nonsense Dan has set into motion is inevitable.
“Good morning, Elise,” Roxanne says coolly, pulling a small envelope out of her purse and sitting it down in front of me. I flip it over, and to my shock, it has her and Andries’s names emblazoned on it. “I hope to see you at the party on Saturday.”
And then, as quickly as she had arrived, Roxanne departs, not even giving us a second glance. I’m speechless, opening the envelope to hold my honest-to-God invitation, right here in card-stock. I can barely believe it.
Dan waves our server over and orders champagne, even though it’s just past noon, and refuses to answer my questions until both of us have a sparkling flute in front of us.
“Drink,” he commands. “To my amazing success.”
I take a tiny sip and set the flute aside. “Done. Now. How did you get Roxanne herself to deliver the invitation? I have to know.”
Dan takes a much longer drink than I do before gracing me with an answer. “I just know how to be convincing.”
“You’re lying! Tell me the truth, Dan!”
He chuckles, swirling the champagne in his hand. “What’s the magic word?”
“Fuck you.”
He raises his eyebrows and lets out a quick snort in amusement. “Well, you’re not wrong, but you’re usually not the person that usesthatmagic word. I guess I can’t disclose my secret to you.”
“Dan…” Since he keeps quiet, I give in and use the magic word he wants to hear. “Please?”
“Fine. Fine. Do you know who the owner of Bar Rouge is? The cabaret I took you to once, where your brother lost his mind when he saw you there?”
I shake my head. “No, I have no idea. That was the only time I’ve ever been there.”
Then, he drops the bombshell. “It’s none other than Roxanne Feng herself.”
“You’re kidding,” I gasp, leaning forward across the table. “Really?”
I can tell Dan is loving every minute of this, and to be honest, I am too. It feels like old times, gossiping and laughing while also poking fun at one another.