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She smiled at him, and he reached for her hand.
“Proposed? I had no idea,” Cheryl whined.
Sam held up her left hand and grinned. Cheryl’s eyes darted from the ring to Gray. The waitress brought water for the group and stood silently by waiting for their orders.
“When …” Cheryl cleared her throat. “When are you getting married?”
Tank spoke up. “Soon. They’re getting married soon. We’ve been planning for a while now.”
“Oh, well, how sweet to propose to you right in the garden. I suppose you were close to his roses; he just loves those purple roses.”
“Actually, Cheryl, we were next toourroses. Mom and Dad planted roses for Sam this year right next to mine. I waited for them to be in full bloom so I could propose to her there.”
Cheryl looked like she had been hit hard in the stomach. It served her right for barging in and just inviting herself to sit down—and constantly calling and stopping in at the office. She needed to hear this and know there was no hope for her and Gray to get back together. Sam was sick and tired of this little game Cheryl was playing.
She cleared her throat again and plastered on a fake smile. “Oh, well, congratulations. How exciting for you both. I hope you’ll invite me to the wedding.”
Sam looked at her with an eyebrow raised. Really?
Gray took a drink of his wine. The waitress asked, “Are you ready to order?”
Gray nodded and ordered for Sam and himself; Tank and Cheryl ordered their meals. The waitress nodded and finished writing. “Will this be separate or on one?”
Gray spoke up. “Put it on one, please.” Once the waitress left, he squeezed her hand.
“Are you planning a large wedding?” Cheryl asked Gray.
He turned to look at Sam and squeezed her hand. “It will be as large as it can be on short notice. I don’t want to wait.” Turning to Cheryl, he continued, “I want Sam to be my wife right away. I would have married her the day I proposed, but she wanted the kids to be there. Even so, I’m not giving her much time.”
Tank pulled his phone out and texted someone. Cheryl’s eyes darted to his phone; she watched him tapping onto it.
“Work business?”
Tank looked up at her and nodded. “Hard to get away sometimes.”
“Oh, what business are you in? How long have you known Gray?”
Tank leaned his arms on the table. “I’ve known Gray, and now Sam, for some time. We enjoy spending time together. I’m honored that they have included me in the planning of the wedding. Since I’m not married myself, it’s an interesting process, and one I’m not ready to go through myself.” He looked at Sam and smiled.
“How about you, Cheryl? Are you married?” he inquired.
If Cheryl noticed that Tank never answered her question about what he did for a living, she didn’t say anything. She began fidgeting with her water glass.
“I’m widowed.” The glare Cheryl swiped across to her was ever so brief, but it was enough to twist her stomach. Sam caught Gray’s gaze and quickly looked to Tank. Just then a big hand slapped down on Gray’s shoulder.
“Hey! Here you guys are. I went to the office thinking I’d catch you there. Sorry, I’m late.”
David Haggerty walked around and kissed Sam on the cheek. He sat at the end of the bench Gray was on and pushed Gray toward Sam, putting himself between Gray and Cheryl.
“We thought you got caught up at work and weren’t able to make it, so we came on ahead. Sorry, we just ordered; if we’d known you were going to make it, we would have waited.” Gray’s brows furrowed slightly, his lips thinned.
The waitress walked by with food for another table and David waved at her. “When you’re finished, I’ll order.”
She nodded and kept walking.
“Tank, did they make you sit through wedding plans?”
David smiled, but it was tight—edgy.
