Surprise Inside

"Well, it looks like I'll be getting the chocolate cake," Skye said, looking at Grant over the menu, one perfectly sculpted eyebrow quirked. She didn't have a choice. There were only two dessert options: the cake or a caramel nut tart. It always seemed that the fancier the restaurant, the fewer choices. And this restaurant was the best Grant could afford, which meant it was decently sumptuous. Had good reviews at least.

Skye turned her stormy blue gaze to their server. "There's no nuts in that right? I'm severely allergic."

"No nuts in the chocolate cake, miss," the server said, his tone perfectly even. He didn't say anything about the fact that she's already mentioned her allergy three times that night. He already knew what she was going to order anyway. Her slice of chocolate cake had been prepared before they'd even been seated. The restaurant had been very accommodating regarding Grant's request. Unaware conspirators. Innocent accomplices. Based on the glances their table kept getting from the waitresses, they seemed to think it was sweet.

"Nothing for me," Grant said. He wanted to be able to focus on Skye. She'd worn some kind of shimmery blue dress that reflected the candlelight. Her blonde hair swept up in an elaborate up-do. He wasn't sure what makeup she was wearing, but her eyes and lips were enticingly dark. She seemed to be expecting something. They'd been dating almost a year. They liked the same things- classical music, hiking, bad reality television. Disliked the same things- sushi, romantic comedies, malls. A perfect match. Grant had made sure of that.

The cake slice arrived on a pristine crystal plate with sugared flower petals sprinkled around it, the chocolate spread across the top like glass. The server placed the dessert in front of Skye and took a few steps back, pulling out his phone. Grant had asked for pictures. It seemed like the thing to do.

Skye stuck her fork into the cake, the metal prongs sliding into the chocolate like water until it hit metal with a dulled clink. Skye's mouth opened just a bit and her eyes widened. She looked surprised, but still pretty. She'd practiced that exact expression in the mirror. Grant would put money on it.

"Oh my god," Skye said, fishing the ring out with the fork instead of getting her fingers dirty. The ring was an antique: simple and made of gold. Not remotely Skye's preference. But she was too nice to say anything.

"Yes," she said, tears slipping down her eyes without smearing any of her makeup. Waterproof really meant waterproof he supposed. The server snapped photos and surrounding tables started clapping. Golf claps, nothing exuberant. They had to show their good breeding, after all.

Grant beamed, his first real smile all year. "I just wish my sister was here to see this. The ring is a family heirloom. It was supposed to be hers."

"Sister?" Skye asked, pausing halfway through putting on the ring to make eye contact with Grant. "I thought you didn't have any siblings."

"I don't anymore. She died when we were young."

Skye reached over and placed her hand over his, squeezing. "I'm sorry.”

She sounded genuinely sorry. Her voice gave out on the last word. Their audience might have thought she was overcome with emotion, but Grant knew better. Her hand fluttered at her throat, the ring glittering. Grant smiled wider, not stopping even as Skye fell out of her chair, gasping. Their server moved towards her, but Grant got their first.

"There's an Epipen in in her purse," Grant said. There wasn't. He'd removed it in the car before they'd gotten to the restaurant. Still, the server was busy digging through the leather purse so Grant could cradle Skye's face in his hand and whisper in her ear.

"My sister's name was Maude. She died from a bee sting at camp. Allergic reaction. The counselors didn't get to her in time. You didn't get to her in time."

Skye died while he was talking, but he hoped she lived long enough to understand. Her death would be blamed on cross-contamination in the kitchen. No one would check the ring for peanut dust.