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I reached across the table to fasten the cuff onto his wrist. “A leather cuff in true rock star fashion.”
He held my hand up to his lips for a kiss. “Thank you so much, baby.”
As we sat there, staring into each other’s eyes and enjoying the moment, I heard a rattling sound nearby. I looked around the dimly lit room, and noticed several couples doing the same thing. The silverware clanked together, and I could see the pink liquid rippling ever so gently inside of my glass. The floor beneath us began to rumble, and when I looked up again at Chase, he was pushing his chair back from the table.
“Babe…” he warned as he stood, reaching his hand out for me.
I sat frozen in my chair, my brain a few steps behind my already aware senses. The one thing I did not remember to worry about in my move to California was potentially the most scary – earthquakes.
Just when everyone in the entire restaurant had risen up out of their chairs, the shaking stopped. We all looked around at each other, searching for a sign that it was safe to resume our dinners.
“It’s okay,” an older man next to us said. “These tremors happen from time to time. After a while, you just get used to it.” His wife smiled reassuringly.
“I don’t think I could ever get used to that,” I replied, taking my seat.
“There was only one the last time I was out here.” Chase sat down, placing his napkin back in his lap. “I completely forgot about it.”
All of the couples around us looked as if nothing had happened. They went back to eating and talking, while the waiters bustled around the room. An unnerving feeling began to make its way into my stomach. When our food came, I did not feel that hungry anymore. I made it through one of my tacos before calling it quits.
“Do you like it?” Chase asked, looking down at two of my three remaining tacos.
“It’s delicious. No wonder this place is so expensive.”
“Would you stop worrying about money so much?” he said gently. “When you are with me, you don’t have to worry about money. I will take care of it.”
“I don’t want you to take care of it, though. I want it to be a joint effort. I don’t want to rely on you for everything. I want us to rely on each other.”
“I get it. I agree – I want us to be a team… but let me treat the love of my life to a few special things, okay?”
I softened. “Okay.”
We had our food wrapped to go, and made our way back over to the bar for Chase’s show. He had to help the band set up, and I wanted to secure my seat at the end of the bar.
“Whoa, mama!” Dave exclaimed when we walked through the door of The Underground.
“Are you changing before tonight?” Chase asked, trying to sound nonchalant as he noticed several pairs of eyes gawking at my dress.
“Do you want me to change before tonight?”
“No. I just hope I don’t forget all the lyrics when I’m staring at you.”
Dave chuckled. He set down a Malibu Bay Breeze in front of me, and a beer in front of Chase. “Did you guys feel the tremor?”
“Don’t remind me,” I groaned.
“It’s totally normal for everyone here. You New Yorkers will get used to it.”
“I’d be fine if that never happened again.” I took my seat, allowing my mind to run away with all of the what-if scenarios.
“You don’t have to worry. I’ll be here to protect you if anything should happen. A few shakes and rattles here and there won’t amount to anything anyway.” Chase kissed the top of my head. “I’m going to help the guys set up.”
I hugged him tightly, wishing he did not have to perform tonight.
“Are you alright, babe? I promise, everything will be okay. I’m here, and nothing bad is going to happen.”
I wrung my hands. “I just feel weirded out by it. I’m sure it will pass.”
He looked into my eyes. “I love you.”
