The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(18)

He was going to pick me up at my house and whisk me away for a romantic dinner at Flemings. The restaurant was handpicked because it was small and intimate, but I knew several industry people frequented the place. It was the perfect location to stage a fake engagement. Hopefully one of the other diners would take a picture of Rob in the act and tweet it or post it on Facebook or Instagram. Just to be sure though, Arnie had arranged to tip off the paps toward the end of our dinner.

Rob arrived at my house dressed impeccably in a black suit and tie. He grinned at me as I stepped outside and walked toward his car.

"Do you have the ring?" I asked, as I got in and buckled my seat belt. He nodded his head. I waited for him to elaborate, or maybe pull it out so I could look at it, but he remained silent.

"Are you ready for this?" I asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be," he answered. "Besides, it's not like it's a real engagement."

I tried not to think too deeply at why his words sent a stab of disappointment through me. He was only speaking the truth after all. We arrived at the restaurant and Rob and I were immediately seated at an intimate table by the back and away from the other diners.

"This is a perfect spot. We're far enough away that no one can overhear us, but still out in full view where anyone with a camera can snap a shot of us," Rob said as we sat down.

"How lucky," I said. "You're getting really good at staging these scenes."

Rob shot me a curious look, but I avoided eye contact and ignored him. What the hell was wrong with me? I needed to get myself together. This was not the time or place to start acting like some love struck fool.

Since the beginning, Rob had made it no secret that the last thing he wanted to do was settle down. He was never going to change, and I wasn't a fool enough to try. I had to ignore that little voice in the back of my head that tried to tell me there might be something more between us.

"We should order champagne," Rob said.

"How do you plan on doing it?" I asked, ignoring his suggestion.

Rob grinned at me and shook his head. "I already told you, it's a surprise. Even though this is a fake engagement, I'd like to make it at least a little exciting. You know, my pride and all that. Plus, I think the reaction shots would be a lot more authentic if you didn't know when or how it was going to happen."




I had to settle for that, but all through dinner, I couldn't help anticipating when Rob would finally pop the question. Once we had finished our meals, I started to get anxious. Any minute now!

Rob sat across from me looking like he hadn't a care in the world, but the constant checking of his watch gave him away. He was nervous too. It was crazy, really. What did we have to be nervous about? This was all pre-planned. He knew what my answer would be, so there was no fear that I'd refuse. Still, it was the first time either of us had ever gotten engaged, and that was something.

As soon as our plates had been cleared, a waiter brought out two dessert trays. He handed Rob a plate with tiramisu while handing me one with strawberry trifle.

"I don't remember ordering dessert," I said once the waiter had gone.

"I had this prepared ahead of time," Rob said.

I eyed the trifle doubtfully and wondered if Rob had hidden the ring in it. All that pudding and syrup looked like it would be a mess.

"Please tell me the ring's not in there," I said.

Rob's smile faltered and he looked like I had taken his favorite toy away. "Would that be a problem? I can get it for you," he said, reaching out for the glass.

"No, forget about it. It's fine," I said.

I felt a bit guilty for ruining his special moment, so I picked up my spoon and started eating my way through the trifle. I went slowly, since I didn't want to chip my tooth, but it was frustrating because all I wanted to do was dig through the damn thing. I knew I had to control myself. With each bite, my anticipation grew. I wondered what the ring would look like and how big of a diamond he'd gotten.

Rob had been very secretive about the ring selection. I had offered to buy my own ring for the occasion, but he wouldn't have any of it. We'd gotten into a bit of an argument over it, actually. I thought it was stupid for him to go out and spend money on a ring when we both knew the engagement would never last. In the end, though, he got his way. Hopefully his taste in jewelry was better than his taste in dessert. I had almost reached the bottom of the trifle, but there was still no ring in sight.

"I think something's missing," I said, pushing my spoon around the glass to feel for the ring. "I hope the kitchen staff didn't run off with it."

"It's not in the dessert," Rob said, laughing. "I just wanted to see if you would eat the whole trifle."

I didn't know whether to punch him or throw the rest of the trifle at him. All this time he sat there, watching me stuff my face because I felt bad about ruining his surprise, and the ring wasn't even in the damn thing. That meant I'd eaten it for nothing--all those calories!

"You're an ass," I said.

"Sorry, I didn't really think you'd eat the whole thing," he said, not sounding sorry at all.

"And you expect me to say yes to your offer of marriage after you treat me like this?" I asked. In truth, I wasn't too upset. It was a silly prank and I was grateful that it took the edge off the actual proposal. If that was what Rob had in mind, then it worked.