It was hard for Nicole, Liz and I to comprehend how plush, and expensive this place was. There was gold silverware, lace and satin tablecloths, and to top it off, guys with violins were quietly playing by every other table. Liz, Nicole and I just stopped and stared at the beautiful decor. The Boys had to push us toward our table. It was beautiful. There were green tablecloths and about fifty white candles down the center.
We sat down and ordered something to drink. All but Nick, Nicole and I ordered wine, and I made a mental note to remind Nicole about being designated drivers. We made small talk while we decided what to order.
The waiter returned, and we all ordered. When it came to AJ, he decided that complaining to us about not eating at McDonald’s wasn’t enough.
“And for you sir?”
“Hamburger and fries.”
“Excuse me?!”
“I said-“
“He said he’d like the spiced chicken with a side of mashed potatoes,” Howie finished, with his hand clamped over AJ’s big mouth.
“Very well then,” the slightly confused waiter said going off toward the kitchen.
“Why’d you go and do that?” AJ said defensively.
“Because I don’t want to be embarrassed.”
“You wouldn’t have been. I had it all under control.”
“Sure, Anyway, how do you girls like this?” Howie asked changing the subject.
“It’s really cool. I’ve never been in a place like this before,” Nicole said sweetly. Man, she was really turning up the charm tonight. It had reached an almost sickening level. I think Liz noticed it too because she gave me the “Calm her down” look.
“I like it. Oh yeah! It just dawned on me! Guess what!!” I said as a realization dawned on me.
“What?” said Nick.
“I am captain of the flag corps! Isn’t that cool?”
“Wow! You made captain? That’s cool. Congratulations. And speaking on congratulations,” Brian smoothly continued, “I would like to propose a toast to Liz for her success, and to a successful time in law school.”
“Here! Here!” Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them. Liz just blushed, but was smiling so wide I thought her face was going to crack.
After that dinner was pretty uneventful. Just before we got up to go, I pulled Nicole aside.
“Hey Nic. I was thinking, since everyone has had a few glasses of wine…”
“I’m way ahead of you, I managed to convince Brian that I should drive back,” she said jingling the car keys in front of my face.
“Thanks. I don’t think I’ll have a problem because I’ll be driving my own car,” I tried to be as positive as possible because I was nervous about driving in the dark in a town I didn’t know with people that certainly weren’t going to be too much help.
We got back fine, and I dropped Liz off for her final night in the dorms before she had to leave. The rest of us would our way back to the only hotel in town which was booked full because of graduation.
At the hotel Nicole and I let the Boys off so they could avoid being recognized as much as possible.
Chapter 16