Page 66 of A Trial of the Heart

“Thank you.” She offered a smile before resting her clutch on top of the table and sitting down.

Once Shiloh was set and scooted closer to the table, I ambled back to my seat.

“I ordered your favorite,” I noted pointing to the tequila sunrise with an extra shot of tequila.

Shiloh tucked her loose coils behind her ear, while simultaneously offering me a warm smile.

“Thank you, but I’m not drinking.”

My brows dipped in confusion. “Quit?”

“Something like that.”

“Got it.” I nodded my head slightly.

Something was off about Shiloh. I couldn’t pinpoint it, but it didn’t go unnoticed. Shiloh had requested this dinner, so though I spotted something was off, I’d wait for her to bring it up if at all. I watched Shiloh closely as she picked up the menu to order. She seemed anxious and uneasy.

“You okay?”

“I am.” Her voice held a low tremble.

I was prepared to speak on it when the waiter that had taken the drink order came into view.

“Here you two are,” he stated, placing the drinks in the middle of the table. “You two know what you’d like to order, or do you need a minute?” he asked, pulling the tablet from his apron.

“You ready?” I asked, glaring over at Shiloh.

“I am.” Her tone didn’t match her normal one.

“We’re ready.” I never shifted my eyes from Shiloh as I spoke to the waiter like he hadn’t heard Shiloh.

“Can I get the lobster bisque soup?”

My brows dipped in the middle of her forehead. Shiloh didn’t put down food like she was in an eating contest, but she surely ate more food than soup.

“That’s all you want?”

Shiloh looked up from the menu. “Not much of an appetite.”

I nodded slowly.

“For you, sir?” the waiter asked, seeming as though he wanted us to quickly place the orders so he could move on.

“Let me get the ribeye steak medium with the loaded baked potato, steamed veggies, and a side of mac and cheese.” Unlike Shiloh, I had an appetite.

“I’ll put that right in for you two,” he said, taking the menus rushing away.

We sat in silence. Shiloh had asked me for this meet up, yet she was acting like we were on a blind date, and she wasn’t feeling me. I was curious what was up, but I wasn’t about to ask about it.

“How was work today?” I questioned, making small talk.

Shiloh raised her eyes to mine. “It was okay. How about yours?”

We were talking so robotic, nothing like we were used to.

“It was straight. Nothing to complain about.”

“I understand that.”