Suddenly, the maître 'd approached with a tall, good looking gentleman, impeccably dressed in an Armani suit. "May I introduce Mr. Logan West. I believe you were expecting him?"
"Yes! Logan, dear!" Amelia rose to her feet and kissed him on both cheeks. "It's so good of you to come!" It was obvious that Shay's mother was trying to set her up with this guy.
A cocky smile spread across his face. "Thanks for the invitation. I was delighted to receive it." Then he turned to face me, looking at me appraisingly as if buying a horse. "And you must be Shay."
"Yes, I am," I replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine." He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it, looking into my eyes.
"Won't you join us?" Amelia said, motioning toward a chair next to mine.
He sat down without pretense. Kitty Corner from me, Renn's jaw clenched.
It was obvious that this guy was a playboy. He was a few years older than me and had light brown wavy hair and a good build. He was good looking and he knew it. And I was sure there was no way that he would remain faithful to any woman, including his wife.
"Are you ready to order?" the maître 'd asked, and then went around the table taking our dinner orders.
When he came to Logan, he replied, "I'll start with the bisque, and then I'll move on to the lobster, and then I'll finish with the Cherries Jubilee for dessert."
Renn and I exchanged a knowing glance, and I shook my head.
"I'll also have a bottle of your finest champagne." Logan snapped his menu closed and shoved it at the maître 'd, and then looked around the table and said as an afterthought, "And bring glasses for us all. I'm sure we'll want to celebrate."
"Oh! None for me," I announced. "I'm—"
"Shay!" Mom interjected, cutting me off, obviously not wanting Logan to know I was pregnant.
All of a sudden, there was a commotion at the front of the restaurant.
"Sir! You cannot come in here!" the doorman yelled, chasing someone into the restaurant.
"I'll only be a moment! I have to speak with Miss Shay Clark right away! It's a matter of urgent importance!"
When I looked over, I smiled. For Jack was standing in the doorway, looking around the restaurant for Shay.
"Sir, I must insist—" the doorman said.
I looked up and raised my hand, but Amelia quickly pulled it down. "Jack! Over here!" I yelled instead.
A broad grin spread across Renn's face, enjoying the show, looking at me with obvious pride.
I stood, but Shay's mother pulled me back down. "Don't do this! I forbid you!"
"You forbid me? Or what?" I asked, yanking my arm away. "What are you going to do? Cut me off? If so, it wouldn't be the first time."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Amelia asked, rising to her feet.
"No one's cutting anyone off," Kent interjected. "Everyone, just calm down."
Jack quickly approached the table and took my hand. "Shay, can I speak with you..." He looked down at Logan and then back at me. "Privately?"
"She's not going anywhere with you!" Amelia shouted, making a scene herself.
Jack nodded. "Okay, then. If that's how it has to be." He held my hand, looking down at me. "Shay, I love you."
"What's the meaning of this?" Logan asked, rising to his feet, but Jack pushed him back down.
"I'm sorry, but this can't wait," Jack said, turning his attention back to me. "Shay, I was an idiot earlier, but it was a lot to take in—"
"Jack, it's okay." I nodded, letting out a deep breath as tears filled my eyes. "You don't have to do this."
Logan got to his feet again. "Sir! I must ask you to leave. We were just discussing—"
"Nothing," I cut him off. "We were discussing nothing." Then I turned back to Jack.
"Yes, I have to do this, Shay," Jack said, cutting Logan off. "There's a lot to say, in fact. I love you, Shay, and I don't want to lose you."
"Logan, you are her tutor—" Amelia said.
��Not anymore," Kent cut her off. "You fired him today, remember? Let the man finish." Then he turned to Jack and smiled. "Please, continue."
"Shay, I forbid—"
"Amelia, don't interfere," Kent cut her off, and quickly headed around the table to stand beside her.
"Shay," Jack said, looking down at me. "I know I have no right to ask, but I love you and I want to marry you." Then he got down on one knee. "Please do me the honor of becoming my wife."
"Yes!" I yelled and then jumped into his arms.
Jack quickly pulled me behind him, awaiting the fallout. "Let's go."
I nodded.
"What is going on here?" Logan asked, looking at all of us as if we were crazy.
I looked at him and smiled. "I'm pregnant—"
"With my baby," Jack finished as Amelia gasped and a broad smile spread across Kent's face. "And if you don't mind, we're going to get married."
"Over my dead body!" Amelia yelled, stepping in front of us, blocking our way. "If you go now, you're cut off!"
Jack pulled me behind him again. "That's the only way I want it."
Kent chuckled. "Son, no one is cutting anyone off. Go and we'll talk to you later."
"How dare you?!" Amelia yelled, tears filling her eyes.
"I love you, Mom," I said, stepping around Jack. "But this is my life, not yours. You made your decisions, and now I'm making mine."
"No!" Amelia stepped toward me, but Kent grabbed her, holding her back.
"Go ahead and go," Kent said, and then his eyes met mine. "I love you, honey."
"Love you too, Dad," I said and then hurried toward the door with Logan. "I love you, Logan."
A broad smile spread across his face. "I was hoping you'd say that." Then he pushed open the doors, leading outside.
But a bright white light waited for me. Outside, instead of holding Logan's hand, I was standing in the mist of the Inbetween... alone.