Allan picked up the customized ring from the jeweler hours ago. The restaurant wasn’t too crowded. The table was donned with a setting of tulips, Lily’s favorite flower. Everything was perfect. That is, aside from the fact that the restaurant had run out of her favorite wine. He already gave the apologetic waiter an earful.
When he first explained his intentions to his sister, she was giddy that he had asked her to help plan the big event. Having described her dream proposal, the incessant chat bubbles popping up in his NR enhanced vision was starting to get annoying.
Jen: Is she there yet?
Allan: No, not yet
Jen: Did you pick up the ring?
Allan: Of course
Jen: And the flowers?
Allan: It's all here, Jen. I got this.
Jen: Do you really though? I can totally see you botching this. You’re kind of a klutz sometimes.
Allan: Thanks for the vote of confidence. :p
Jen: Anytime. What’s a little sis' for, anyway?
Allan: To drive me crazy?
Jen: Exactly! Don’t lie. You love it.
Allan glanced up from his virtual keyboard and nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw that Lily was almost to the table. He swiped his hand to the right to remove the keyboard, and stood in awe. Her sleek green dress stood out in contrast to her red hair.
“You look gorgeous!”
“Thanks sweetie.” She blushed. “This place is beautiful!”
“I know.” He placed a careful kiss so as not to smudge her lipstick or rouge. “It was nearly impossible to get a reservation.”
“I love it.” She sat as he held her chair out. “How long ago did you book it?”
“A few weeks.”
“Wow. What’s the special occasion?”
“Well, I…” he stammered, “I just… I thought you deserved a nice dinner.”
Her eyes narrowed , but then she got distracted.
“Tulips!” she crooned. “My favorite!”
Allan smiled. “I know.”
A frantic waiter arrived with a bottle of Zinfandel and bowed. “Our finest wine by Ménage à Trois, on the house. Complements of the host.”
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Allan nodded. “Thank you.”
Lily flashed a confused look at Allan as he accepted the expensive bottle of wine.
“Are you ready to order, sir?”
“Yes.” He feigned a shrug at Lily. “I’ll have the Trofie al Pesto.”
“And for you, miss?”
“I’ll have the uhh…” she scanned the menu, “I’ll go with the Tagliatelle al Ragù. And go light on the bolognese sauce.”
The waiter nodded, and then winked at Allan before he turned to leave.
“What was that all about?” Lily queried, pointing at the bottle.
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Allan swatted at the air as several message bubbles from his sister populated in successive order.
“So sorry.” He closed his eyes and pressed on the side of his right temple. “I should mute my communications channel.”
“Who’s that?”
“Oh, it’s just Jen.” He waved it off.
“It’s good to see you two on good terms again.” Lily smiled. “I swear. Lately you talk with her more than you do with me!”
He smirked. “Jealous, much?”
“Maybe a little.”
Allan couldn’t help but gawk at her alluring beauty. Her lips were plump from the red lipstick, and the rouge on her cheeks made her skin glow. Her hair radiated a brilliant ginger. He felt like the luckiest man alive. It wouldn’t be long now before this gorgeous woman would be his fiancée.
Lily caught his eye and she blushed again. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re starstruck.”
He looked away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She studied him for a long minute until the waiter returned with their entrees.
“Excellent timing,” Allan said in the awkward silence. “I’m starving.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes. Allan could see a blinking green light inside his NR enhanced field of vision and a popup alert with each of Jen’s incessant messages, and it only made him more nervous.
Here’s your chance. Go for it.
His pulse picked up in pace as beads of sweat accumulated on his forehead. The lump in his jacket pocket appeared to be growing ominously as the minutes ticked by. Lily was distracted with her food, so she didn’t notice the several attempts he made to speak but no words came to his mouth.
“Lily…” he finally croaked as he wiped his forehead. “You mean the world to me. You know that?”
“Yes, of course sweetie.” her eyes lit up.
His throat felt constricted. He took a long drink of water.
“Is everything okay?” Her eyes locked with his. “I thought you said you were starving, but you’ve barely touched your food.”
Allan forced himself to stand.
“Lily, sweetie.” He reached into his jacket pocket and knelt down on one knee. “You are my whole world. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
Allan felt confused by the disturbed look that crossed Lily’s face.
“Please…” Lily whispered as several other diners stopped to gaze at them. “Don’t do this here.”
It was too late to backpedal. He gritted his teeth and pushed onward.
“Lily Thatcher, will you marry me?”
She stared at him for a long minute. His confidence waned as her hesitation lingered.
“Please get up.” They had attracted the attention of even more diners. “Let’s talk about this.”
“Does that mean no?”
She winced. “I don’t know what it means yet. I’ll have to think about it.”
Allan continued to kneel, rooted in his spot. “But… I don’t understand.”
“I think we need to slow down…” She frowned, and pressed the side of her temple. “Hang on. I need to take this.”
Allan felt his stomach drop as she stood to answer the call. He opened the box and stared at the ring in shock. Meanwhile, it seemed that all eyes in the restaurant were gawking at him.
Lily turned around and pressed a mute button on a small handheld remote. “I’m so sorry, Allan. Let’s have a serious conversation later.”
Allan wanted to say something, but couldn’t find any words before Lily exited the lobby. Allan stumbled as he stood awkwardly, and then collapsed in his chair. He covered his face with his hands and leaned onto the table for support. Moments later the waiter returned with a bucket of ice and a corkscrew.
“Would you like me to wait for your lady friend to return before I pop the cork?” he offered.
“No.” Allan shook his head with a heavy sigh. “Go ahead. And can you bring me the check?”
“Yes, sir. Would you like some boxes too?”
Allan hung his head low in defeat. “No thanks. I’ve lost my appetite.”
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