Good thing Sophia and I weren’t fancy sims, because I could have thought of a dozen better ways to celebrate our engagement than eating at a casual restaurant down the street from my mama’s house to escape her being extra. She would have been thrilled to dog sit for a few extra hours if we had decided to make a big splash and go fancy. However, it didn’t make sense for us to leave town, so we opted to go to Viviana’s…the same Viviana’s where I first sorta kinda met Yasmine. I didn’t tell Sophia she worked there because I didn’t want to dampen the evening, but I definitely walked inside, cautiously looking around and hoping she was off that day. But there was nothing to fear, even if she showed. We had already handled our business. If she wanted to be messy, that would be on her. Still, I hoped she wasn’t working.
Sophia, on the other hand, had no reason to suspect a surprise appearance and was grinning from ear to ear.
“This is such a nice restaurant!”
“Yeah, I like it too. This became our place when we moved here.”
“I love how it’s so trendy and modern, but I still feel comfortable being here dressed like this.”
Even though I hoped we would not run into Yasmine, I knew she would turn up; I felt it in my bones. I buried my head in the menu and must have read it 17 times because I didn’t want to see it coming. But eventually, I heard her voice.
“Welcome to Vi…oh…”
Sophia looked up, and I saw that flash of surprise that hit her face. It morphed into confusion, then suspicion. Yasmine looked more embarrassed, but still ready to hold her own if Sophia wanted to take her there. They glared at each other for what felt like an eternity. I had no idea what went on in either of their heads, but if I could have backed away slowly, I would have. They were like two cats circling and sizing up each other. Who would strike first? Of course, I didn’t expect a fight to break out, but I honestly had no idea what to expect. At the club that night, Sophia surprised me when she casually interrupted us. I never thought of her as territorial. To be honest, I thought it was kinda hot. But she wasn’t a nasty woman, and we were in Yasmine’s workplace, so I knew they’d eventually snap out of it. And they did.
“Umm…” Yasmine hesitated and fidgeted with the notepad in her hand. “I can go get someone else if you-“
“Don’t be silly,” Sophia said, brushing her off. “We’re all adults here.”
I exhaled. Yasmine smiled sheepishly and nodded.
“Are you ready to order?”
“Yes, we are. I’d like a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup but…”
She explained exactly how she wanted the sandwich to be: grilled long enough to be very crispy and brown, but not so much that it’s hard and scratches the roof of her mouth. Yasmine got a kick out of that, and I did too. I watched her in amazement, not about the sandwich, but how gracefully she handled awkward situations. Mama was 1000% spot on when she said I chose well.
I ordered bangers and mash, and we both got a Sunset Valley. After Yasmine repeated everything back to us, including Sophia’s highly specific notes, she surprised us both.
“That’s a nice ring,” she said with a beautiful smile.
She didn’t smile much, but when she did, it was a nice treat. Was I still allowed to say that?
“Thank you so much,” Sophia said.
“Congratulations,” she said. “You don’t mess around, huh?”
“I knew she was the one. Why wait? But thanks, Yasmine. I really appreciate that.”
“I hope it’s okay to say this,” she began.
Everything in me tensed up again.
“You’re so lucky. I never really had a shot, but when I thought I did, I wasted it. I wish y’all the best.”
I exhaled. I think Sophia did, too.
“That’s so kind of you to say,” she said. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be back in a bit,” Yasmine said and disappeared into the kitchen.
“Well, that was nice of her,” Sophia said.
“It was.”
“She can’t come to the wedding, though.”
I chuckled.
“I wouldn’t dare ask you that. Speaking of the wedding…are looking you looking to have a huge shindig?” I asked.
“Not really. But I don’t want it to be so small that we have to labor over whom to un-invite. We should invite whoever we want.”
“I was thinking the same thing, though I don’t have many to invite.”
I thought about Dub. We had only known each other for about 24 hours, but he was already one of my closest friends. He had a secured spot on my guest list, and I tacked on a plus one in case he and Maia had some serious talks on the train. I wanted to meet her.
“What about you?” she asked. “Do you have a dream wedding?”
“Nah, not really. I don’t care where it is or what we do, as long as you, my parents, and my sister are there. Oh, and a huge cake. Gotta have a nice cake.”
“I mean, is it really a wedding without a nice cake?”
I chuckled. She and I were always on the same page, and it was beautiful.
“Exactly.”
“I would love a beach wedding,” she said. “That’s my only real preference.”
“Then a beach wedding it is.”
I took a moment to comb through my thoughts really consider if I’d been looking forward to anything in particular, especially since I was allowed to have an opinion, heh. Mama was right about one thing. I was a simple and adaptable guy, so I honestly didn’t have any must-haves or deal breakers.
“Do you think we’ll have time to do all the pre-ceremony stuff, like the parties and dinners?” I asked.
“Listen,” she said in a sweet yet firm tone, “I know you’re a dutiful son, but this is our wedding. If you want to do all those things, we’ll make time!”
A different server arrived with our food, and Sophia celebrated her perfectly grilled sandwich. As we were both starving, we seized the opportunity to get a few bites in before continuing our conversation.
“Speaking of time,” she began, “your mom asked one question I’d been considering. How would you feel about starting our family right away?”
“I wouldn’t mind that.”
She smiled and seemed very relieved.
“I’m glad… Time to tell your friends in the purple box goodbye!”
I quickly swallowed my food before I choked to death from laughing at her. Forget surviving our relationship. I needed to survive the engagement!
