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Christian and I walked into the restaurant, greeted by the hum of conversation and clinking glasses. The contemporary decor and sleek metal accents gave the space an upscale feel, and I felt a sense of excitement as we made our way to our table. I could feel the energy between us, and I knew that everyone else could sense it too.
The diner was situated in a trendy part of the city, its exterior painted a bold retro turquoise, neon lights flashing the name above the entrance. Inside, the atmosphere was bustling but still cozy, the decor a mix of classic Americana and modern touches, with red leather booths and black and white checkered floors. The lighting was warm and inviting, casting a soft glow over the space.
A large, circular bar and a visible kitchen were situated in the center of the diner, and patrons could order cocktails and watch the food being prepared by stylish chefs. The menu was a contemporary take on classic diner fare, with items like truffle fries, artisanal burgers, and hand-crafted milkshakes. Despite the upscale touches, the diner still served up hearty portions and offered traditional comfort food favorites like pancakes, waffles, and omelets.
We all decided to meet up for dinner this weekend. We hadn’t been together in a while. I thought it was going to be a perfect evening, really. Sophie and Valerie would be there, and I was really looking forward to seeing them.
Valerie, Aiden, Sophie, and Nathan had already been seated and were chatting animatedly when we arrived. Valerie saw us first, and she raised her glass of red wine. "Here's to new beginnings," she said, beaming. "I'm so excited about my new practice.”
Valerie had just opened a new practice in another part of town. She had been really busy making it happen, and tonight was as much to celebrate her success as anything else. Christian and I said our congratulations, and I leaned over to give her a soft side hug, smiling widely.
“I’ll take over the old practice then. I did win the bet,” I whispered to her.
“You’ll have to speak to my lawyer about that,” she said and we both burst out laughing.
We all clinked our glasses, congratulating her on the exciting change. Aiden chimed in, "And here's to the new addition to my family," he said, raising his glass and grinning widely.
Sophie let out a gasp. "Oh my god, Aiden! That's amazing!" she exclaimed, reaching across the table to hug him.
While we were waiting for our food to arrive, Christian reached for my hand under the table. I felt his warmth spreading through my body, and I couldn't help but smile. He had been making a lot of effort lately, sending me flowers or just dropping by the house to check on me.
Nathan looked over at us and chuckled.
"You two are so cute," he said, teasingly. "It's like you can't keep your hands off each other."
I blushed, but I didn't mind the teasing. I was happy to be with Christian, even if it was only for a little while, as strange as that was. It would all be over soon, but who said we couldn’t enjoy it while it lasted?
"I think it's sweet,” Sophie chimed in.
I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. All was going as planned. None of them suspected a thing.
As our meals arrived, the conversation shifted to food and Sophie and Nathan’s wedding.
"This is amazing," Nathan said, gesturing to his plate. "I'm definitely going to have to come back here."
"I know, right?" I agreed, taking a bite of my own dish. "This is incredible."
Christian leaned over to me. "I'm glad you like it," he whispered, and his eyes seemed to sparkle with affection for me. No doubt it was just part of the act.
Still, I blushed, feeling my heart swell with something like affection. But it couldn’t be that. That wasn’t right. I could enjoy this, but it was just an arrangement. That was all. "I love everything about tonight," I replied, smiling back at him.
As we finished our meals, the conversation turned to more serious topics. Nathan mentioned a work project, and we all listened intently as he described the challenges he was facing. Valerie shared some personal struggles she was going through, and we all offered our support and encouragement.
The dinner was a reminder of the depth of our friendship and the bond that held us together even in difficult times. It was soon late, and we made our way out of the diner. Valerie got in her car, waving goodbye before driving off. She said she had to go to sleep early and wake up early for work the next morning.
Nathan and Sophie got in Nathan’s car and waved their goodbyes too. We would see them at the engagement party in a few days.
“Congratulations Aiden, that was really good news,” I said to Aiden.
“Thank you, Alex,” he replied giving me a hug and waving at Christian before making his way to his car and driving off.
I turned to Christian who was waiting by his car.
“That went well. I think they’re convinced” he said gently.
“We did good, so let’s head home,” I said to him.
He raised his eyebrows.
