Logan’s convertible rolled up in front of the restaurant. He stepped out of the car and approached the valet, giving him his car keys.
He opened the backseat door and held out a hand for Emily who took it gladly. Then, Logan reached for the passenger side. He also offered his hand to Alex. She accepted his gesture and slipped out of the car.
When both parties had been escorted safely out of the car, Emily led the way towards the entrance while Logan placed his hand on Alex’s back.
“Hello, Phil!” Emily greeted the doorman, “You haven’t aged a bit!”
Phil smiled at her politely, “It has been a while, Miss Emily. You look ravishing as ever.”
“Oh, stop. This thing? This is just my pajamas.”
Alex snorted. She quickly hid it with a cough. Logan laughed quietly next to her.
Phil switched his attention to the two of them, “Ah, Master Logan and Miss Alex. I am delighted to see the two of you again.”
He found it refreshing to see Logan join the young miss. The last time he saw them, Logan had driven away. He didn’t think they’d come back so soon.
And together.
“Hello, Phil” Logan grinned, “Any new items on the menu today?”
“I seem to recall a new dessert. A chocolate crepe cake with chocolate ganache and whipped cream.”
“I’d have to try that one” Alex said.
“I’ll order the trifle so we can share both half-and-half.”
Alex’s eyes sparkled, “That sounds like a good idea!”
“Well, I’m gonna have a cheesecake slice all to myself” Emily closed her eyes, “I can almost taste it.”
“You will be able to taste it sooner, Miss Emily, if you all please be seated at the usual table.”
“Right you are, Phil. Nice to see you again” Emily waved at him before she stepped inside.
Logan and Alex also bid their goodbyes to the doorman.
Once they were out of sight, Phil sighed. He had been right. The two young adults did look like a lovely couple. Hopefully, Mr. Greenwood wouldn’t thwart his hopes.
Emily walked up the stairs, both in beauty and in grace. If only she had grown an inch higher, she could participate in pageants. Alas, nature hadn’t given her that privilege. Nevertheless, she could still look like a beauty queen.
Who said the world couldn’t be her runway?
Once they reached the top, Logan carefully let go of Alex’s back. Luckily, Alex didn’t seem to notice. He would have kept it there but he didn’t want her father to see it.
Instead, he let her walk in front of him. That way, he could keep an eye on her and catch her if needed.
“Aunt Angie!” Emily squealed. She quickened her pace until she reached the middle booth of the tables lined up against the glass wall.
At the sound of her voice, Angeline got up and opened her arms. Just like Emily always greeted her, she received a tight hug. It didn’t matter where they were, Emily always showed the same amount of enthusiasm.
“Uncle Ethan!” Emily let go of her aunt and gave her uncle a quick hug. She knew her uncle didn’t like close contact so she kept it short.
“Emily” he nodded at her.
Alex walked up to her mom, kissing her cheek, “Hello, mother.”
Apparently, Angeline had other plans. She beamed at her daughter and engulfed her in a hug, “Alex, my dear! You look so beautiful! Doesn’t she, Ethan?”
Ethan Greenwood grunted in reply but it failed to dampen Angeline’s good mood. She released her daughter and turned to the man of the hour.
“And you must be Logan” She greeted him. She did her best to calm down the wide smile that threatened to form on her lips.
Logan smiled. Placing one arm behind his back, he took Angeline’s hand and kissed it, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Carter. You look ravishing tonight.”
Alex rolled her eyes discreetly. He stole that line from Phil!
Angeline giggled and pulled back her hand then, patted his cheek, “A man who knows how to compliment a woman. Very good.”
“Smooth talker” Alex mumbled which Logan heard. He sent her a quick wink and Alex replied by sticking out her tongue.
Angeline ignored their exchange, “Oh, and no need for formalities, dear. Just call me, ‘Angie’. Come along, let’s all sit.”
Alex slid inside an empty bench until she sat next to the glass wall. Emily took the seat opposite from her and her mother sat next to Emily. Logan slid on the same bench as Alex while her father took the head chair.
Maybe she should have let Logan sit first. That way he’d be a bit farther from her parents.
A waiter passed by and gave out 4 menus. Everyone had one except for Alex who shared with Logan.
Ethan Greenwood pulled down the menu in his hands down slightly, his eyes passing by the spot her daughter and her new friend. Logan held the menu while Alex pointed out different dishes.
He felt a kick from under the table. He snapped his head towards his wife who glared at his behavior.
Well, what did she expect? He would have thought his daughter’s friend would be a female. They always travelled in groups if he remembered right. His sister was hardly ever alone back in their high school years.
The waiter came back to take their orders and the menus. Then, another waiter served them complimentary water while they waited for the food.
“So, Logan…” Ethan began to say. He had only said two words but Logan could already feel the sweat dripping down his neck, “Your father is Principal Parker, isn’t he?”
“Yes, sir, that’s the one” Logan nodded in reply. If he remembered right, his father also knew about Alex’s secret. Did his father know that he did too? If not, will he find out?
Ethan interlaced his fingers and placed them on the table, “How is he doing?”
“As good as he can be while handling the workload at this time of year.”
“I can imagine. Please send him my regards.”
“Will do, sir.”
Ethan reached for a glass of water and took a sip. Checking the ice cubes inside, he said, “Now, I understand you agreed to keep my daughter’s secret a secret, correct?”
“Yes, sir” Logan immediately replied. He figured if he sounded firm, Alex’s father could see his resolution to be her best friend.
“This is a serious vow, Logan. I hope you understand. We wouldn’t want the only heiress of Parthenos Company to get into trouble after what she just went out of her way to keep out of it, right?”
