The waiter had barely finished distributing menus when Serena lifted a finger.
“Three shrimp cocktails, two bottles of your best red, and extra bread.”
Henry lowered his menu.
“That sounds like a lot.”
“It’s your birthday,” Serena said.
Then she smiled at me.
“Besides, our walking credit card finally got that promotion.”
“I didn’t get a promotion,” I said.
Serena blinked.
“Really? Chris said things were going great.”
I turned toward him.
“Did you?”
Chris kept his eyes on the steak menu.
“She misunderstood.”
Several relatives laughed anyway.
“Are you going to correct the rest?” I asked.
“It’s harmless,” he murmured. “Leave it.”
Serena leaned toward her sons.
“Get whatever you want. Grandpa only turns sixty-five once.”
“Can I get the biggest steak?” one asked.
“Add lobster,” Serena said. “Tonight’s covered.”
I looked at Chris.
Without meeting my eyes, he ordered the ribeye.
“And for you?” the waiter asked me.
“House salad, baked potato, and water.”
Serena laughed.
“At a steakhouse?”
Chris shifted uncomfortably.
“Natalie…”
I stood.
“Excuse me. I’m going to the restroom.”
Instead, I walked directly to the waiter.
“Separate checks, please. We’ll cover Henry and Tarryn, who are seated across from us. No one else.”
He nodded.
“Understood, ma’am.”
I returned to the table with my heart racing.
I ate quietly while Serena ordered another bottle of wine and Chris continued avoiding my gaze.
