These west coast socialites are dangerously good looking and charming with bank accounts bigger than your parents' savings, successful careers, and smiles as sickly sweet as sugar. They are unbelievably perfect.
Then again, looks are deceiving and...
When Anastasia and Cameron get to the restaurant, Mercedes and Jasper are already seated outside, talking softly and looking through the menu. Let me tell you something about Whiskey Red's. This place has the largest waterfront patio and the best views in the marina. I can vouch for this as a California resident because it's one of my favorite places to go when I need a change of scenery.
"Merci!!!!"
At the call of her name, a squealing Mercedes jumps out of her chair and meets Anastasia halfway for a hug. These two tend to act like they haven't seen each other in a million years. Can't fault them though. They've been best friends for years. We're talking about diaper days.
Aside from Cameron and their whole friend group, Mercedes is everything Anastasia knows, the person who laughs before picking her up, the person who hugs her when she's crestfallen, the person who wipes hot gloomy tears that fall from her eyes. Mercedes Michelle Herrera is her forever soulmate.
They all greet each other and take their seats. Before they start any type of conversation, the waitress comes over to take their orders. The girls narrow their eyes at her. Why? She's making bedroom eyes at both Cam and Jasper. Neither male is paying her any attention but still.
'This bitch needs to stop staring at my man before I cut her.' Here we have internal thoughts from Mercedes, whose obsidian eyes darken in annoyance. "Hey, bitch. Stop staring at them. They are in committed relationships with me and my best friend here."
Anastasia chimes in, her voice icy and unforgiving. "Do your fucking job before we make sure you never work in a restaurant in this damn state again."
Recognizing who they are right off the bat, the manager Eden comes over. "Lydia, how many damn times have I told you that you can't flirt with every male customer? Have you forgotten that you're on thin ice with the owner? You're done here. Go." She turns towards the group, taking their orders and placing some garlic knots on the table. "Okay, I will be right back with your drinks."
Mercedes waits until she's gone to speak. Anastasia's engagement ring is shining in the light. God, where's her ring? Jasper, get on that, my guy. "Ugh, Stassi. I can't get over how stunning this ring is. Cam, you have amazing taste in diamonds... and fiancées." She pouts and looks at Jasper.
The drinks arrive. Stassi watches as her Sauvignon Blanc is placed on the table in front of her. She picks the glass up by the stem and swirls the wine around. Cameron is handed his water. Now you're probably thinking- Why is he drinking water? We don't drink and drive over here, okay? We smart about this shit.
Mercedes takes a sip of her Merlot and leans against Jasper who, just like Cameron, is drinking water. Again, don't drink and drive.
"Stassi, how's everything going?"
"My family out here being some sneaky slick ass bitches. My mother is making plans to take Serene Beauty away from me. I overheard the conversation she and Alicia were having. I'm onto her shit."
Mercedes shakes her head at how ridiculous her best friend's family is acting. It's like they've forgotten how things go around here.
"Anyway. Can we switch the topic? The more I think about how they're trying to fuck me over, the more irritated I become. Jasper. Merci told me that you're working on a new art piece. How's that going?"
"Very well actually. This new piece is a mixture between love and lust. We're moving in the seductiveness and sensuality aspects. I'm trying to speed things up so I can unveil it."
Merci grabs Jasper's hand, leaving him to kiss her cheek in the softest of ways. For some odd reason, his lips on her cheek send a pleasurable shiver down her spine.
After what seems like a million hours, the food arrives.
Anastasia cleans her hands with the little bottle of hand sanitizer she slips in her purse and digs into the butter-poached lobster roll (well, one of them, she ordered three) and fries sitting in front of her. Cameron ordered himself some beer-battered fish and chips. Mercedes ordered some crispy mahi-mahi tacos for herself and her man.
Jasper has a surprise for Merci and he's getting a bit impatient to give it to her. Hearing Stassi and Cam talk about their impending nuptials is leading him to think about all the things he and Merci have gone through. He wants this woman in his life forever.
"J, I can see the gears turning in your head. What are you up to?" Mercedes notes, her eyes narrowing in playful suspicion.
Said male smirks and stands up, disappearing from her view.
"What are y-" She interrupts herself as she watches him get down on one knee holding a silver box in one hand and a big bouquet in the other. She squeals loudly she figures out what he's doing.
"Mercedes Michelle Herrera. You are the only person I have ever loved and ever will. You make me a better person and you take away all my fears. I know our path hasn't been easy but, love makes everything simple, you told me that and I believe you. I trust us and I promise to stand by you through anything because I love you and because we are inevitable," Jasper looks Mercedes deep into her amber eyes and he feels her place her left hand on his cheek.
"Merci?" Jasper asks with a smile on his face.
Butterflies, she feels butterflies fluttering and she knows Jasper feels them too.
"Will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man on earth and marry me?" He finishes as he opens the black box and presents the love of his life with a one-of-a-kind Cartier solitaire platinum diamond ring.
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Mercedes is crying at this point from sheer happiness, she's speechless; she nods trying to get the words out when they finally come.
"Yes, yes...I will!" She answers as Jasper slips the ring onto her finger; it's the perfect fit and the perfect ring, the perfect man.
Jasper stands back up and immediately pulls Merci in his arms and kisses her with as much passion as he could muster.
This causes everyone on the patio and inside the restaurant to cheer for them. Anastasia and Cameron are cheering and recording this precious moment.
"I love you, Mr. Van Allen", Merci announces she holds onto her fiancé and looks deep into his brown eyes.
"I love you too, Mrs. Van Allen," Jasper smirks as he kisses her again, making her giggle. She couldn't wait to be Mercedes Michelle van Allen and the thought of the wedding gives her goosebumps.
Stassi squeals, which leads Merci to squeal. Just a whole lot of happiness here. Cameron smiles and hugs Jasper, who looks at his bride-to-be with the utmost love and appreciation. God, he's been in love with this woman for years.
"I have you to thank for this bro. Seeing how much you love and adore Anastasia, it made me realize that Mercedes deserves the world and more. I plan to give it to her."
Cameron smiles again. It's a happy time. "As you should. We have two good women here who wholeheartedly deserve to be loved, taken care of, spoiled like hell, and treated like the queens that we know they are."
"You're preaching to the choir over here, my brother. Us, you and me, engaged to the loves of our lives around the same time. Feeling wonderful things over here."
