Destined to Love (Starting Over Trilogy Book 3) by Brenda Kennedy Page A

eat the same thing at home, we might as well eat the same thing while we are out together. Fortunately, we have the same taste in food.
    The waiter comes over and smiles at Angel and asks, “Have you decided?”  
    I clear my throat, so he knows to look at me, not her. “We’ll both start off with the Tenderloin Carpaccio, New Zealand petite lamb chops, red-skinned potatoes, and spinach salads. That’ll be all,” I say, dismissing him. Angel look at me and smiles.
    He nods and turns to walk away without looking over at Angel.
    “Mason?”  
    “Angel?” I say, looking into her big brown eyes. “I don’t like the way these dickheads look at you.” I already know what she is going to say.  
    “Would you rather they come to the table and ignore me, treating me as if I don’t exist?” she says, with a raised brow.  
    “No, of course not. I would rather have a waitress. They don’t look at you like they want to have you for dinner.” I lean forward in my chair.
    “No, you’re right, they don’t, because they are too busy looking at you like they are going to eat you for dessert.”  
    “Well, lucky for you, I don’t like dessert.”  
    We both laugh when we realize how silly we sound.
    The waiter returns with our appetizers. Angel places her white linen napkin on her lap. I watch from the corner of my eye as Julia stands and stumbles in our direction. I know we aren’t near the restrooms, because I always request a table as far away from them as I can get. When she gets closer to our table, I stand, buttoning up my jacket.  
    “Julia,” I say, taking a step to be closer to Angel. I place my hand on the back of her chair to keep some distance between them.
    “Well, if it isn’t the happily engaged couple,” Julia slurs.  
    I feel Angel’s chair slide back slightly as she stands up. “Julia.” Angel smiles.
    I reach over and take Angel’s hand in mine. “I take it you saw the announcement in the Sunday paper.”  
    “Who didn’t? Your engagement picture and announcement took up the entire page.”  
    Angel smiles at me and loops her arm around mine. “Thank you. Yes, my future mother-in-law is pretty excited about the upcoming wedding. We wanted something small to announce our engagement.” Angel stands a little taller and winks at me. Oh, my girl wants to play. I can do that.
    “Yes, Mom did get a bit carried away with the announcement.” I smile.  
    “Angel, you know, I have no idea what Jim ever saw in you.” Julia slurs her words and stumbles. “Angel, how does it feel to know you are responsible for a man’s death?” I can feel Angel tense up and shiver. I caress her arm with my hand and stand in front of her.
    I step closer and whisper to Julia, “Get the fuck out.”  
    I think, Sometimes — but rarely — the f-word is the absolute best word to use.  
    “What, Mason, the truth hurts?” Julia stumbles again.
    At that time her friend walks over to us. “Jules, let’s go,” she says, taking Julia by the arm.  
    “Julia, I swear, if you don’t leave now, I will get you disbarred. I will show evidence that you are stalking and harassing Angel. You leave now and don’t you ever speak to Angel again.”  
    “You can’t do that. That would be a lie.”
    “Are you so certain? Do you want to try me? It seems to me like you are stalking and harassing her,” I say, taking another step closer to her. “I swear, I won’t stop until you lose everything.”  
    “Is everything all right?”  
    I look up — the manager of the restaurant is standing nearby.  
    “Everything’s fine. These lovely ladies are just leaving and please see that I get their check.” I smile. “They may also need a ride home, if you can arrange that for them as well?”  
    “Certainly sir, it’s my pleasure. Ladies, this way,” he says, holding his hand out towards the front of the restaurant. I reach behind me and Angel takes my hand. They begin to walk away and I say, “Julia,