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“But this is you You eat in expensive places”

“I bought coffee from Uncommon Grounds,” he reminded her “That doesn’t scream five-star now, does it?”

“Our coffee is five-star quality”

“Price wise, it isn’t, and I liked it all the saht away and try to make us feel bad,” he remarked

She looked offended but decided to ignore it She did sound like she judged him

He decided to change the topic The ree to what he had inthe bracelet”

She looked at her wrist She had tried it on earlier while dressing up, but she thought she was going to look tacky and overeager to wear it on their first dinner together Mikaela wanted to tell herself she was putting too much hope into this date, that there was still some part of her that screamed to warn her that he was a jerk Still, there was this tiny spark of hope left for it to turn out all right

“I didn’t want to lose it,” she replied

They took a seat and she scanned the menu Well, at least the prices hadn’t skyrocketed She could afford to eat here at least once a et

“Order whatever you want,” he told her “No h”

She smiled at him and he wondered if she would still smile the same way once he showed her his proposal Matters like those needed to have proper documentation…

She ordered the lobster and shri mix of seafood in a rich tomato broth They ate in silence, with the occasional question here and there, and Mikaela felt disco at her intently

“You know, I’”

“So am I”

“Well,” she began, “it’s ahen so”