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“Thank you,” I said to Mr. McGowan, smiling sheepishly as William ushered me out of the restaurant and back into the freezing cold air.
We walked a few steps away from the restaurant and I grabbed his arm. “I can’t believe that worked,” I ground out.
He chuckled, linking my arm through his. “Again, the titles come in handy.”
“Oh, not that again.” I laughed, bumping into him. “Where are we going now?”
He smiled down at me. “Let’s go back to the car. I know a great place.”
***
“I didn’t think this was where you meant when you said you knew a great place,” I said, licking ketchup off my finger.
William looked at me, holding the last bite of his burger up. “What’s wrong with McDonald’s?”
I leant against the window, covering my face with my hand as I giggled. “Nothing’s wrong with it, it’s just not where I thought you were taking me!”
“Where did you think I was taking you?”
“I don’t know, but I do feel quite overdressed.”
He made a point of looking me over. “That is a fancy dress you’re wearing, and the ketchup really adds something.”
“No!” I looked at the front of my dress and, yep, sure as hell, there was a little smudge of ketchup. “Why do I always end up covered in food or drink around you?”
“You’re the one who piled an entire little pot of ketchup on your burger.”
“All right, all right,” I muttered, picking up a napkin so I could wipe it off.
At least I was wearing a black dress.
And yes, I knew it wasn’t appropriate to wear a black dress at a wedding. You just… never knew when you’d need a black dress.
Apparently, I needed one to go to McDonald’s with William, my not-my-boyfriend.
“There. Got it.” I balled up the napkin and put it on the tray in front of us. “Why did you take me to that place if you were happy when we left?”
He finished chewing and used a fresh napkin to wipe his mouth. “Honestly, I asked Grandpa, and he said to take you there. I didn’t think much of it because it’s where we usually go for a family meal and I thought it would be nice.”
“Oh. Well, now I feel bad.”
“Don’t. Sixteen pounds for a glass of wine is a joke.” He laughed. “The prime example of just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
I picked up my milkshake. “And why have a thirty-eight-pound burger when you can get a full meal for less than ten?”
“That’s how much a bloody burger was?”
“I told you I was uncomfortable. It’s not my fault you didn’t check the price first.”
“Christ almighty. My grandparents have more money than sense, and they’re sensible so that’s saying something.”
I laughed, simultaneously snorting milkshake up my nose and somehow swallowing it at the same time. I almost dropped the cup as I clapped my hands to my face and pinched the bridge of my nose, squeezing my eyes shut.
“Oh, shit.” William chuckled, leaning forwards. “Are you all right?”
“No. It burns,” I squeaked. “Oh, my God. Ow.”
“I’m sorry.”
