Who Said Three is a Crowd?

Chapter Eight

After their little conversation, Zoe went about taking a bath, shaving, and doing her nails after styling her hair. She went for an elegant half up-do with tendrils framing her face and emphasizing her drop earrings.

Finally ready and feeling confident in how she looked, Zoe grabbed her clutch and keys and headed out to her car, locking her door behind her. She entered the car and instantly put on the AC and switched on her favorite soothing playlist. She drove leisurely to the restaurant as she was over forty-five minutes early. Arriving at the restaurant, she was greeted by the valet who took her car keys, and the hostess who guided her to her seat. She shrugged off her overcoat and pulled out her phone to text Liz to inform her that she was at the restaurant.

A few seconds later the waiter showed up at her table with a glass of chilled water and her menu. He asked if she was expecting anyone else, she told him that it would be a party of three. With a nod, he asked her if she would like a glass of wine as she waited. She ordered a glass of Castelli Italian Red Wine and a few breadsticks to hold her up in the meantime. After he left with her order, Zoe took a small moment to appreciate the architecture of the restaurant. It had that Victorian style to it that made the place quite comfortable and homey, yet the decor showed off some class and modern beauty. She glanced around at a few tables watching couples, and what looked like a few business meetings. Her phone vibrated, with an incoming message from Liz letting her know that they were on their way.

Zoe smiled, she was a bit nervous earlier, but the wine and breadsticks helped calm some of her nerves. She decided to watch videos of cute puppies on her favorite pup profile.

Time passed fairly quickly, and a few minutes later she glanced up to see Liz and Antonio walking through the entrance of the restaurant. She watched as the hostess then directed them to her table. For a moment, Zoe was struck by the sheer beauty of the couple before her. Liz wore a gorgeous navy blue dress that accentuated her curves and Antonio stood tall and handsome in his jet black suit. Zoe stood to greet the couple, she kissed Liz's cheeks and gave a small lingering hug, she was about to give Antonio a small hug and a kiss to the cheek until he awkwardly put out his hand for a handshake.

Zoe cringed on the inside. It took what felt like a long, awkward moment for Antonio to see that Zoe was about to hug him as well. Though in reality, it was about four seconds tops. He quickly fixed his stance and tried to hug her back hoping that she didn't notice his slip up. Zoe felt like she was hugging a rock, Antonio stood quite rigid and looked very uncomfortable in her arms. She stepped back quickly as if he had burnt her.

"Will you two stop being so awkward! Just sit down before people start to stare!" Liz whispered causing a tinge of red to grace both Zoe's and Antonio's cheeks.

The two sat down with Zoe facing the couple. She took a sip of her wine and made eye contact with the waiter.

"What wine are you drinking Zoe?" Liz asked, eyeing Zoe's glass like it was the last meal on Earth.

"It's Castelli Italian red wine, and no you can't have a sip. I need alcohol right now." She gave Liz a pointed stare. "Keep your grubby paws off" she smiled and stuck her tongue out a bit.

Antonio watched humorously, it was like they were children, oblivious to his presence. The waiter arrived with two more menus.

"Good evening my name is Greg, and I will be your waiter for this evening. Would you like any of our appetizers?"

Antonio searched his menu, glanced at the table to see the breadsticks and garlic butter.

"No appetizers, thank you. Can you give us a few minutes to decide on our order? In the meantime, we would appreciate a bottle of Castelli Italian red wine in an ice bucket please."