Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“Maybe they just haven’t found the right interests yet,” Tamara said. “Like their perfect coffee shop or perfect computer job.”
“So, it’s perfect, is it?” Nate asked.
“Well, my profits have gone up a lot since the business across the street started drinking so much coffee,” Tamara joked. “Plus, I get to spend my time by the beach, meet interesting people, be my own boss… So, yes, it’s close to perfect. Isn’t your job?”
Nate thought about it and then knew it was every bit as perfect as Tamara’s job was. “Yes, it is perfect for me. I still can’t believe I get paid to manage computers.”
San Diego appeared on the horizon. It seemed small after the huge expanse of LA, but it was a massive metropolis in its own right. Nate glanced at the clock on his dashboard.
“We’ve still got plenty of time before my family are expecting us,” he said. “And if we arrive now, we’ll get roped into wedding preparations.”
“Which you get enough of at work,” Tamara guessed. “What did you have in mind?”
Nate had plenty of things in mind when it came to Tamara… but this idea was purely for her enjoyment. He hadn’t been sure if they’d make it in time for lunch, but he knew all the best places in the city and Tamara’s favorite food.
“Well, there’s this great little Thai place I know,” he said. “I was thinking we could eat there before we arrive. Does that sound okay to you?”
Tamara, who’d already finished the pastries, nodded enthusiastically and added, “That sounds great. I love Thai food, and I’m ready for something that isn’t sweet.
Nate grinned, happy the plan had come together. He drove toward the heart of town, where his favorite Thai restaurant was located. He loved this area, and he’d come here plenty of times in the last few years, often with his brother.
He found a parking spot about a block away, and when they got out of the car, they both stretched their legs. Nate led the way, and when they arrived, he could see that Tamara was a little surprised at the restaurant. There was nothing particularly ostentatious about the place. It was a family-run restaurant, with pictures of the owners and their parents on the walls, along with a shrine to Buddha near the front door. The rest of the décor had obviously come from Southeast Asia. Mostly, though, it didn’t try too hard to proclaim its heritage—it was just a restaurant that served great food. There were plenty of Thai-American customers, including several families. Nate had taken that as a good sign the first time he’d come in, and he’d been right.
“Nathan, it’s good to see you again.” The owner greeted them warmly and led them to a table near the window. Giving them well-worn menus, he said, “I’ll bring you some jasmine tea. Also, we have some beautiful prawns today.”
As the owner disappeared, Tamara said, “So, I’m guessing you come in here a lot.”
“Every time I come to town, I try to drop by for lunch,” Nate said. “It’s not as fancy as the place we went to earlier this week, but the food is just as good—maybe better.” One of the reasons he’d brought her here was the quality of the food and because he wanted to show her he wasn’t the kind of guy who needed to hide behind over-the-top restaurants. He wanted this to feel natural. And what could be more natural than sharing one of his favorite eating spots with Tamara knowing how much she loved Thai food?
Nate started with prawns and Thai banana salsa, while Tamara tried the basil rolls with hoisin peanut sauce. After the appetizers, they ordered a papaya salad and chicken curry in coconut milk to share.
For a few minutes, they were quiet, just enjoying their meal.
“I can see why you come here all the time,” Tamara said. “I think this is the best Thai food I’ve ever had. How did you first find this place? Was it a happy accident, or did someone recommend it?”
“I think my family has a knack for finding good restaurants,” Nate said. “My dad swears he managed to find an Irish pub in New York that is kind of secret—they don’t advertise, and there’s no sign on the door. No one else has found it since. He had family bragging rights until I found this place. Now I’m the Waterson restaurant king!”
Tamara smiled and took another mouthful. Changing the topic, Nate said, “Thanks again for helping me out with this wedding. It will take a lot of pressure off me with my folks.”
“You’re welcome,” Tamara said. “I imagine it must get pretty annoying every time one of them tries to set you up. Our families often know us best, but still…”
“I don’t know what it is about weddings, but in my family, it’s open season on single people. I’m not the only one who gets put on the grill about it. I’ve got a couple of cousins who are in the same boat,” Nate admitted. “But, please, if you feel uncomfortable with any of this, you need to tell me. If you start feeling weird about acting as if we’re a couple, then we can stop, and—”