A Cancer Patient's Wife by Maren Higbee

Author:Maren Higbee [Higbee, S. Maren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781633153301
Publisher: Maren Higbee
Published: 2023-01-20T10:00:00+00:00

We handed over our car to the valet at six o’clock on the dot and entered the luxurious restaurant. The lights were dim, and outside we could see the boats twinkling on the lake.

Luke took a seat, and I went up to the desk. “I have reservations under the name Byrne.” I smiled. “Is Nora here?”

“Yes. Let me take you to your seat, and I’ll have Nora come to the table as soon as she can.”

“Fantastic!”

The hostess guided us by the glass box displaying different cuts of meat and passed the steamy kitchen, where staff worked behind the half wall to cook delicious steaks and seafood. Finally, we got to the back of the restaurant, where she seated us right next to the window. This table was one of the best seats in the house.

“Wow! Thanks,” Luke said. He looked over at me. “How did we get this sweet, sweet seat so last minute?”

“Luck, I guess.” I leaned across the table and kissed him.

He tipped his head in disbelief. Then, before he could question me anymore, the sommelier arrived and took our order for a fancy bottle of wine that would go with the steaks. But first, we would start with cocktails—an old-fashioned for Luke and a negroni for me.

“To health, happiness, and a good steak,” I said, raising my glass. Luke clinked my glass and took a sip.

“Mmmm, delicious! It’s been so long since I could even consider having one of these.”

Then a woman approached our table.

“Luke?” she asked, scanning his bald head and thin eyebrows. He looked at her quizzically. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Nora. I heard all about your treatment starting tomorrow and how you love the restaurant. I’m so glad we could get you in.”

“Me too,” he said, tossing me a sideways glance. “How did you know?”

“Oh, when your wife told me about your situation, I wanted to check it out. It just so happens that my girlfriend, Lara, works in Swedish, and she vouched for you. You would be amazed at the lies people tell trying to get in.” She smiled. “I’ve got a complimentary popcorn shrimp on the way for you. Do you need anything else before your server comes back to check on you?”

“No, I think we’re good,” he said, his voice tightening just enough for me to notice. I looked down at the table as Nora walked away.

“Maggie, that is so embarrassing. Seriously, you used my cancer to get us a table? That’s awful. I thought we were on the same page. I can’t believe you did this.”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to get us in, and it worked.” I smiled weakly.

“I am not happy.”

We sat in silence for a few moments until the popcorn shrimp arrived. Luke’s eyes grew wide as he grabbed a golden-brown fried shrimp and dipped it in the spicy sauce.

“Okay, maybe I’m a little happy. Let’s enjoy tonight. But we will talk about this later, Mags.”

I stuffed a giant shrimp into my mouth and began to chew.

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