Tina was furiously texting her best friend about her date's over-the-top attire, all while casually throwing out a warning without even glancing up from her screen, "You know, addressing me like that might just make me fall for you. I get pretty possessive, and then you'd have to quit flirting around online. Think about it."
Alfred's face twisted with indecision. It was clear from his troubled look that he was weighing his options, contemplating whether giving up his flings for her was worth it.
Eventually, he made up his mind, "Maybe we should just steer clear of catching feelings, huh?"
"So, I guess I rank below your hottie flings," Tina said, putting down her phone and nonchalantly picking up the menu to order.
Alfred had intended to ask her to keep her distance from Phillip, but now, it seemed out of place.
Dining at a French restaurant was all about etiquette and a lengthy dining process. Their main course hadn't even arrived when someone entered in the crisp sound of the wind chime at the entrance. Sipping her cream of mushroom soup, Tina's gaze inadvertently met Phillip's.
What are the odds?
Phillip exuded a strict elegance in his suit, and the fleeting glance he cast over her was too light to betray any emotion.
He took a seat diagonally across from Tina, casually unbuttoning his jacket.
The waiter poured him water and handed him the menu.
This didn't seem like a coincidence. Who dines alone at a fancy French restaurant?
Something felt off to Tina, prompting her to check her phone, which had been quiet the entire time. Her rant to her bestie had gone unanswered, unusually silent for her.
Her heart sank as she saw a series of messages neatly lined up in Phillip's chat.
"He's like a peacock, showing off with that flashy outfit"
"He even asked the violinist to play Salut d'Amour. Thought he was gonna propose, scared me half to death"
Tina felt as if lightning had struck her.
How could she have messaged the wrong person?
Phillip's commanding presence, combined with Tina's lingering gaze, didn't escape Alfred's notice.
Driven by a renewed sense of rivalry,
Alfred raised his voice slightly, "You know, when introduced you to my family last time, they were all impressed. My brother really liked you, said you were smart and
tafented."
It sounded like he was reading off a script.
Tina replied, "Even if he likes me, it won't work. He's already got kids."
"Not like that..." Alfred nearly choked, "I've almost wrapped up my work in Stonebridge. How about we head back to Capital City next month?"
Tina said, "I haven't finished shooting my documentary yet."
Alfred clearly didn't value her career, but this wasn't the time to sound harsh.
"So, when do you plan to return?"
Tina nonchalantly replied, "The 31st."
"That long?" Alfred was annoyed. The longer she stayed in Stonebridge, the more opportunities she'd have to get close to Phillip.
Then it hit him. June doesn't even have a 31st.
Trying to provoke Phillip had backfired on him, so Alfred decided to go all out.
"My folks and yours have picked a
date for us to get engaged next month. We've got a lot of friends and relatives so we'll have one
celebration in Capital City, another back in my hometown, and if you want, we can even have one here in Stonebridge for your friends and folks you know. Let's have everyone celebrate with us."
It was clear who he was trying to impress.
From the corner of his eye, Phillip set down his champagne glass and stood up to leave.
Tina dropped her silverware, "Since when was the date decided?"
"Oh, my mom mentioned it over the phone today. Your dad probably hasn't had the chance to tell you yet."
The plan was for their families to arrange an engagement if Tina and Alfred got along well this summer. Tina was taken aback that they had already set a date so early in the season.
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