Chase could see what was going on, and he wasn't sure he liked it. Emma was going to go big at this dinner to ring up a huge bill. He couldn't blame her. After all, every dollar counted. But this seemed like it was more of a chore for her.
This wasn't just about the bottom line to him though. Nana said they had to have a good time with the cash, and that's what Chase was going to do even if it meant dragging Emma kicking and screaming into a fun time.
"Sure, let's go with that." Chase handed the wine menu to the waiter. "And an order of the fish sticks. I think those sound like they would be good."
He turned and gave his huge wattage smile to Emma. She gave him nothing back.
"Actually, are you ready to order?" she asked.
Chase fumbled a bit with the menu in front of him, thankful that he had taken a peek at it before Emma got there. "We're going big, right?"
"Yeah," she said blandly.
"After you?" She just shook her head so hepushed on. "OK, then I'll have the king crab legs. Can you bring extra butter?"
Those things were a splurge for him sometimes for dinner, but he was determined to spend some money. The extra butter was a few dollars more too, which should make Emma happy.
"And for you, miss?"
She took a deep breath and then smiled up at the waiter. "I called earlier to reserve one of your Golden Burgers for dinner."
This time, the waiter couldn't hide his shock at her order, and Chase was sure he had a similar look on his face. Apparently, customers did order that ridiculously expensive burger here, and Emma was going to be that customer tonight.
"Uh, yes. Of course. Yes. And the name for that?"
"Emma Colton."
"Emma. OK." The waiter seemed like he had to remember that name as if his entire career at this restaurant depended on it. "And you told them how you wanted it cooked?"
"Just medium, thank you," she said with a sweet smile.
"Right, medium. For Emma." He nodded again, and Chase could tell the waiter was trying to pull himself together. "I'll put those orders in and be right back with your wine."
Chase watched as the waiter walked in a hurry with an extra spring in his step.
"I'm usually the one who makes waiters get flustered like that. It must be the expensive wine you picked out," Chase said, hoping to lighten the mood a bit.
But Emma just crossed her arms and leaned back in the booth. "I just ordered a five-thousand-dollar hamburger," she said bitterly.
"You didwhat?"
She took a deep breath and looked out over the water beyond the windows. "I didn't pick this place because of the fish sticks. I picked it because I saw a story a few days ago about them serving a five-thousand-dollar hamburger. I figured it would be easy to run up a huge bill for this stupid challenge."
"Well, that's for sure," Chase said sarcastically. "What the hell is even in a burger that makes it cost five thousand dollars?"
Emma shrugged. "I don't know. Lobster tail on top of a way-something burger."
"Wagyu beef?"
"Yeah, that." She leaned forward and rested her cheek in her hand as she stared out at the water. "It comes with a bun encased in edible gold leaf. I'm going to be eating a gold leaf hamburger bun."
The storminess in her eyes had returned, and Chase couldn't help but feel sorry for her. This was supposed to be fun. She was supposed to be enjoying this. But instead, she just seemed to be going through the motions to rack up the credit card bill so she could get her inheritance.
It honestly didn't seem fair. That sounded likea "poor little rich girl" excuse in his head, but so be it. This really was a burden for her, and he was getting a little upset at Nana for putting Emma in this position. He wondered if Nana even knew this was the burden she was going to leave for Emma.
"Hey."
"Hm."
