Welcome to the new readers and thanks for the reviews.
They arrive back to the table just as the waiter brings Linka's drink and asks if they are ready to order. By the time everyone else places their orders, Linka has had time to look at the menu and decides what she wants. She also decides to switch up her drink. Vodka martini. Extra dirty.
"Feel better?" Georgie asks.
"Da...amazing what a fresh layer of lipstick can do," Linka says with a smile, determined not to let her mood be soured...or at least not to let it show that it is.
"Other than the three hour delay, was your trip ok?" Ma-Ti asks, making conversation.
"Da...the delay was not so bad once I accepted the fact that I was going to be late. There was nothing that could be done. I just continued reading a new eBook that I had recently purchased."
"Anything you would recommend?" Rosa asks.
"The 50 Shades of Grey series is so great! I can't put those books down!" Stephanie pipes in.
Linka is having a hard time not saying that she doubted Stephanie would be able to put down a coloring book. She tries her best not to roll her eyes when she replies.
"Nyet, I do not read much fiction and from what I've heard, it is very poorly written." Then Linka addresses Rosa, "It is a book called 'Alex and Me' written by a woman who talks about the bond she shared with her African Grey Parrot. It is very touching. I had to stop a few times because it was making my eyes water. I would take a break and play some games. Which reminds me, it is your move in Scrabble, Georgie."
"I can't believe I'm losing to someone who's first language isn't even English!" Georgie says, shaking her head.
The waiter returns with a basket of rolls for the table and Linka's drink.
"Do any of you play Candy Crush?" Stephanie asks. "I'm stuck on level 143."
Eric responds that he does and they promptly add each other as Facebook friends so they can send each other lives.
Gi takes this opportunity to scope out the ring on Stephanie's left hand when she passes the basket of rolls and speaks up.
"That's a very pretty ring Stephanie. It looks like an antique. Is it a family heirloom?"
"No, it's brand new. I like the old fashioned look to it though."
"Is it an engagement ring?" Rosa asks, having been told, more like warned, by Ma-Ti of the history and denied feelings between Wheeler and Linka. He thought they would be dealing with an uncomfortable situation between Linka's boyfriend and Wheeler, not the other way around.
"Yes!" Stephanie beams. "We weren't going to say anything until after you all had gotten a chance to catch up...didn't want all the attention to be shifted to me."
Gi and Linka share a look and subtly roll their eyes, a look that doesn't go unnoticed by Wheeler, who is sitting directly across the table from Linka.
"He did good, didn't he?" Stephanie says as she shows off her diamond to the group.
"It is beautiful," Georgie says.
"I know...I picked it out!" Stephanie giggles.
"I thought you said Wheeler did good?" Gi says.
"Well, he paid for it and was there when I picked it out...but I figure, if I'm the one who's going to have to wear it, it should be something I like."
"If you love someone, the material part should not matter. The fact that someone asked you to spend the rest of your life with them should be a good enough reason to say yes if you love them and want to be with them forever," Linka says, taking a sip of her drink.
"Yeah, but my sister got engaged last year. I had to make sure my ring was nicer than hers," Stephanie giggles, a sound Linka found especially annoying. "Do you have a sister?"
"Nyet."
"Then you don't get it."
Linka finishes her drink in three gulps and raises her glass to get their waiter's attention for a refill.
"So Linka...you have some news for us as well, right?" Georgie says, thinking she is doing Linka a favor by changing the subject.
Linka gives her a questioning look.
"I do?"
Kwame tries to get his wife to drop it with a warning tone.
"Georgie..."
"Oh Kwame, it's no secret. Ivan was telling everyone he was going to propose."
"You're engaged too?! And when were you planning on telling your best friend?" Gi says, trying to cover her hurt with happiness.
"Gi, I..."
"Soooo, where's your ring?!" Stephanie asks, her mind only focused on one thing, although she's a little disappointed that she has to share the attention now.
"Perhaps we should all just stop with the interrogation and go back to enjoying our appetizers," Ma-Ti says, the former Heart Planeteer still in tune to his teammate's feelings.
"Thank you Ma-Ti...but it is ok...the word would have gotten out and Kwame and Georgie would have found out from our co-workers eventually."
"So it's true?" Gi asks.
"It is true. Ivan asked me to marry him."
Her announcement is met with a chorus of congratulations. Even Wheeler tried his best to smile and be happy for her. He had moved on from his infatuation with her...he always knew the day would come where he'd find out she was married and starting a family.
"Thank you," Linka says with a weak smile. "But I am afraid your congratulations have been wasted. I did not accept his proposal."
Perfectly timed, the waiter arrives with Linka's refill, which she acknowledges and takes a long sip.
"What?! Why?" Gi asks. "I thought you two were serious."
"I was just not ready to settle."
"He's gorgeous and such a nice guy," Georgie says, a hint of sadness in her voice that things may not be working out for the couple.
"Yeah, but what was his bank account like?" Stephanie says. "If you're working for a charity, he can't have had that much to spare. I am sure anything that he did have went to the cause...right? My advice is, find a guy in Real Estate."
She smiles at Wheeler and once again holds up the hand with her new engagement ring to prove her point. It just rubs salt in the wound and Linka feels a dagger to her heart.
"Ivan's family practically kept our organization afloat," Georgie informs Stephanie. "If you consider him, 'settling' I hate to say it Linka, but your expectations might be a bit too high!"
"Linka has always had high expectations," Wheeler says, downing his beer.
"I don't think you'll find many guys as perfect as him," Georgie gushes before adding, "Besides you Kwame."
"Settle down...I was not ready to settle down, I should have said," Linka corrects herself.
"Well if you do not mind my saying so, you should have no problem finding someone else," Eric says.
"Thank you...I do not mind, but Gi might!"
"Nah, I'm used to you always getting the attention," Gi teases.
"Well Linka, I think it is admirable to you had the courage to follow your heart. In my line of work, I see too many couples who are just not able to salvage their relationship because they were never compatible to begin with. Many people end up together because they do not want to be alone so they choose to settle down thinking they will eventually convince themselves that they love the one they are with. Stay strong my friend. I know you will end up with the right person who will make you feel like 'settling down' as you say."
"Thank you Ma-Ti," Linka says politely, although she does not believe him. She believes she has missed her chance at happiness. "I think that when I get back to Greece, Ivan and I will have a talk. Just because I said 'no' now does not mean that I want to end our relationship...I just needed time to process things...to think about what I really want. I think I will be ready in time."
The rest of the evening was less serious once the subject matter turned to lighter things. Now that they all knew what was going on in Linka's personal life, the rest began sharing theirs. Since they had all traveled that day, no one was in any condition to stay out very late. They agreed to have an early night and meet in the hotel lobby for breakfast the next day and then decide on their plans for the day. The only definitive plan they had was "meet in Paris on May 3rd." What they did once they got there was open to discussion.
To Be Continued...
PS The book I chose for Linka to read is a book I bought years ago...I started crying in the store when I read the back cover and haven't even had the courage to actually read it! I'm sure it's great though!