The Setup 💕

Chapter 6

"Good evening. I'm Rose, your waitress for tonight." She read the names on the cards on the table. "Will and Lillie." She looked at the clipboard and took out two sheets of paper with their names on them. Remember, this is the information we received during your reservations. But if there's anything you would like to change. Just write it down and we'll update our system.

She handed them each a single sheet of paper. Will and Lillie looked over their sheets. Rose leaves and walked over to another table with a couple who has just seated. Daphne, mid-50s tall long braided hair in a long white dress, walked to the center of the garden. Examining everyone. A few people greeted her. Everyone seemed to know who she is, except for Will and Lillie. Who are still busy scanning their menu's.

"I love how they called these menus. Daisy went all out. Spa, facials, meditation class and pre-plan meals." Said Lillie as she placed her sheet next to Will's. Will looked over their classes, and they are mostly together. He looked up at Lillie, who is still looking over her menu. Will studied her before he looked back down at their sheets. "So, how do you know Daisy and Dan?" Will asked intrigued.

"Daisy and I had a lot of our Gen Ed classes together in college. So, it just made sense to us to become study partners. We clicked so well, we had to become friends." Said Lillie as she smiled at Will. "What about you?"

"Dan and I had a lot of college classes together as well. Since we both were in business administration. And I met Daisy at a party one night, asked him to come down to the party to join me, and I introduced them." Will said, smirked at the irony.

"So, it was you! They are just perfect for each other." Lillie said, hypnotized with a large smile on her face.

Will's face becomes unreadable, intense. Lillie noticed the shift in Will. Nervously, she laughs lightly and pushes back her hair behind her ears.

"I should go and get my jacket. I wasn't expecting to be outside." Lillie said as she was about to stand, but Will stood instead, took off his suit jacket and walked over to her and placed it over her shoulders.

"I can't. What about you?" She asked hesitantly. "I'll be fine." He declared as he sat back in his seat. Lillie secretly breathed in the suit jacket, admiring the scent.

"Thanks." She replied to him.

Daphne waves a hand in the air. "Before we start dinner, I would like to welcome everyone at Lavender Hotel. Where you will learn more about yourself and your partner. I'm Daphne, one of the many counselors here."

Everyone attention is now on Daphne.

"During the whole experience we ask everyone to be honest with yourself, your partner and have fun during this process. Now let's eat!" Ordered Daphne.

Waiters and waitresses delivered everyone's meals and drinks that are resting on carts. Rose brought over Will's and Lillie's food, water, and wine.

"I think, Daisy set us up in a couple's retreat." Chuckled Lillie. "I'm sorry, she's always sending me to these types of events." Lillie explains.

"I think this was a mistake sending me here, knowing my rule. And I feel about." Will trying to convince himself to leave. But Lillie, confused, examines what Will is saying, interrupted him.

"What rule?" Lillie asked. Will, momentarily forgetting Lillie, is still present at the table. He hesitated to answer. "I don't date friends, or friends family members."

"Oh, I get that! But, it's also where some good ones come from. For instance, take Matt and I." Lillie says nonchalantly.

Will nods. "Matt?"

Lillie realized she broke her and Daisy's rule to not talk about Matt until they figure things out. "Matt is my boyfriend, well, kind of, we are on pause... a break. We are still figuring things out." She blurts out.

"So, you're single?" Will asked like a definite answer, examining what she said.

"Yes. No, no. We're figuring things out." She smiled. Grabbing her glass of water and drinking it half way nervously as she sees him watching her with his intense sharp eyes that were a little too focused on her.

Will slowly scans her from waist up then lands on her lip then slowly to her eyes. He smirks as he picked up his water, taking a sip.

"To our new friendship." Lillie added as she raised her glass, Will followed, raising his glass to hers. Will continue to stare at the woman in front of him, knowing he's in trouble. Not liking how she makes him feel around her.

Will and Lillie are taking a stroll around the gardens after dinner. Lillie is holding a lemon cake in a glass footed bowl with a mini coffee spoon. Will with his hands in his pants pockets watched her eat.

"That was a great meal. Not one complaint." She complimented. As the night passed, she became increasingly relaxed around Will. "Oh, don't let me forget we have to go over questions for the article." She added.

They reached a bench under a tree lighted with lanterns. Lillie sat looking at the stars, Will followed. Will pondered in thought, Lillie turned to face him and smiled at him. He looked back down at her.

"Feels like I'm in college again. I had to interview some rich guy for Daisy's project." Said Will.

"Ethan Blake?" She blurred it out.

"Yes, Ethan Blake." Said Will.

"Wow!" She gave him a face.

"What?" he asked.

"I was supposed to do that interview." She whispered.

"What happened?" He asked.

"My father had surgery. I wanted to be closer to home."

"I'm sorry." Said Will.

"It's okay, it was a stressful time. But I never really did hear about how the interview went."

Will smiled. "He was an A plus jerk. I learned a lot from him that day. Everything not to be. He bullied his workers, didn't manage time well and the worst leader." He said as he continued to watch her with the miniature spoon taking another small bite of cake into her mouth.

"During the four years, you never attended any parties? I would have remembered you." Said Will.

"I went to a few parties. But I transferred closer to home my second year." Defending herself.

"That explains it." Will said.

"When did you move to the city?" Lillie asked curiously.

"I grew up here. And you, where did you grow up?" He said.

"I moved back here two years ago today. And grew up in a town five hours away from here." She said as she began searching the pockets in the blazer.

"What's wrong?" Asked Will.

"I wanted you to try this before I started eating on the other side of this cake, and before I finished it. I had an extra spoon somewhere." She explained.

Will smiled. He gave her a look, then he looked at her lips. He swallowed and leaned in closer as he lightly touched the spoon on the bowl before picking it up. "May I?" He asked.

She gave him a nod, not able to speak, smelling his intoxicating cologne. Will picked up the mini spoon, scooped a bit of lemon cake, both watched each other as he consumed the scoop of cake.

"Delectable." He whispered.

A man with a camera took a picture of them. They both turn to the man. He walked over to them.
"Hi, I'm Lavender's cameraman. Everyone seemed to be signed up for candid pictures. I will send all photos to your accounts at the end of the week. How about one more? You two are Will and Lillie, right?" The cameraman asked as he wrote something down on a piece of paper.

"Sure, yes." Said Lillie as she slowly stood up, she placed the glass bowl down. Will stood next to her. The cameraman motions for them to move closer. They move even closer. So close that they can smell each other's perfume and cologne. Will placed a hand on Lillie's back as she placed a hand on Will's chest.

"That's a beautiful shot." The cameraman said with excitement.