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CALISTA
We enterThe Golden Chopstick from the back entrance and we’re immediately ushered into a private room. We settle around the rectangular table and, somehow, Ryder ends up next to me.
A man in a suit comes over to the table to hand us each a menu. “I’m Ken, the manager here. Your server should be in shortly. In the meantime, if you need anything, please give me a shout.”
“Thank you, Ken,” Darius says.
Our waiter shows up to take our drink order.
I nudge Rori’s arm. “Want to split a scorpion bowl with me?”
She wrinkles her nose. “God no. I’ll fall asleep mid-meal. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I shouldn’t drink anyway,” I say.
Ryder presses his arm against mine on the other side of me. I turn my head his way.
“I’ll share a scorpion bowl with you,” he offers.
An image of the two of us simultaneously drinking from the same glass with straws pops into my head. It’s a bad idea. Especially after our kiss.
God, I haven’t even had a chance to properly process that portion of my evening yet. I’ll save that for later when I’m alone at home and no one can witness the hearts in my eyes.
“Well?” he prods.
My head starts to move side to side but my mouth misbehaves. “Yes,” I say without meaning to. I open my mouth to correct my answer when Ryder places the order with the waiter.
Oh well. It’s only a drink. A very large drink I’ll be sharing with a very large man. With a very large…
“Evie and I want to thank you all for coming out with us tonight,” Darius says, cutting off my dangerous thoughts. “You all are the people we’re closest with, and we can’t wait to share our big day with you.”
“We’re just as happy to be here with you two,” Kaiden answers for us all.
“Now, figure out what you want because I’m starving,” Darius adds.
Opening the menu, I read through items, waiting for something to jump out at me. This restaurant is new to me, but I’ve heard great things about it.
“What are you thinking of ordering?” Ryder asks.
“I’m not sure yet. This place is new to me.”
“I haven’t been here before either, so I’m no help.”
“I might want beef and broccoli, but I can make that myself.”
“I’ve never thought about how being a chef would impact you when you dine out.”
“Most of the time I look at it as a night where I don't have to cook or eat my own food, but I don’t make many Chinese dishes, so there’s a lot for me to choose from.” I glance at Ryder. “What about you? What are you in the mood for?”
“I want a little of everything,” he says, smiling devilishly at me.
Why do I suddenly feel like I’m on the menu?
“We could order different things and share them,” I suggest.
Closing his menu, he places it on the table. “That works. Let’s figure out what we want.” He leans into me, sharing my menu.
I point out various items and, through the process of elimination, we narrow it down to eight things. Ryder makes a list on his phone so we won’t forget anything.
