He tugged at the collar of his shirt. It was clear he was uncomfortable; he'd been sitting across the table from her for much of the meal without saying much. Most of his responses were noncommittal or monosyllabic. Evie had lost about all patience. Whatever was the matter with Rick would come out on its own time, but meanwhile, she was the one sitting through the most awkward dinner conversation she had ever had. As they got closer and closer to the end of the meal, Rick's mood seemed to become even more introspective. When she'd tried and failed to spark conversation for the third time, she excused herself to the ladies room. She didn't need to relieve herself – she needed to breathe so she didn't start yelling at the man to tell her what his problem was.
Having taken some time to splash water on her face and roll her shoulders, she set back out into the dining area to finish the meal. As she came around the corner, however, she saw him laughing – laughing – at a pretty blonde waitress. Without intending to do so, her eyes squinted at him. So, he could barely get a word out to her, but he could chat up the wait staff in her absence?
She couldn't help herself. "I see that you have the remainder of your evening well in hand," she stated with the quietest of resolve and gathered up her things.
"Evelyn," Rick said, surprise overwhelming his expression. "What are you-"
"I'll see myself out, thank you."
"Evelyn?" She heard him say as she started walking toward the door. She was furious. If this is how it was going to be, then she was out – not just for tonight, but forever.
"Wait! Evelyn!" His voice was raised and held a bit of panic. Served him right. Ah, there was a taxi.
He caught up with her just as she was trying to enter a taxi. "Stop, Evelyn. We should talk," he inwardly cringed at his choice of words. Tonight was not going the way it should have. He'd botched things rather badly.
"Should we? It seems obvious that you would rather other company," her words dripped with disdain and anger. She was riled up and going to lay into him any moment.
"Ev-" He started to say, but she cut him off. "Enough, Rick. I can't believe that you would engage in such disrespectful, callous, self-absorbed behavior while out with me. To think, I-"
"Evelyn!" His voice was no longer pleading, but stern. "Just listen to me." His demand fell on deaf ears, however, as she'd worked herself up into a right state. As she began her rant against him again, he figured he'd give it a shot, and kissed her.
It started as an angry mashing of lips, but soon diverged into a passionate kiss that left their chests heaving. "Rick," she started to speak, but lost her voice and almost all reason when he kneeled in front of her.
"I'm not good with words. I've been struggling all night with the how," he sighed. "You're right. I do have my evenings planned for the rest of my life. I plan to spend them with you, if you'll have me." In his hand was an intricate, delicate band. She could see that it had two tiny ankh inscribed on either side of the stone in the middle – the sign of life and immortality.
She was crying. So, he'd been distant all evening because of this. She laughed into his mouth as he rose and kissed her again. "Oh, Mr. O'Connell."