Spiderman 3 by Peter David

Author:Peter David [David, Peter]
Format: epub
Published: 2011-02-22T11:57:01.863000+00:00

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Chapter Twelve

PROPOSAL ON THE ROCKS

The Constellation Restaurant was a reasonably upscale rendezvous that was within Peter's financial limits, albeit barely. Originally, Peter had been concerned that he wasn't going to be able to put thoughts of yesterday's debacle behind him, but was now pleasantly surprised to find an increasing spring in his step as he approached the restaurant. During evening hours, an elevator in the front lobby operated express from the ground floor to the Constellation, and Peter stepped into it feeling positively elated. Whatever shellacking his confidence might have taken at Sandman's hands yesterday was all washed away in a flood of good feeling that this evening would turn out well.

Prompted by the cheery ding of the elevator, he stepped out on the top floor and glanced around with uncertainty. He'd never been to this restaurant before, but Mary Jane had spoken of it highly; this was supposed to be her night, and that was all the incentive he'd needed. A wandering violinist passed by, playing a sprightly rendition of "Flight of the Bumblebee."

Peter moved toward the reservations desk, where a maître d' peered down his nose at him and said, "Bonsoir. he monsieur a-t-il une reservation?"

"I'm sorry, I don't speak…" Peter was already feeling out of his depth.

His eyes crinkling with carefully cultivated French disdain, the maître d' reminded him, "This is a French restaurant, non?"

"Out."

Heaving the sigh of one who does not suffer fools gladly, the maître d' said, "Name, please?"

"Parker. Peter."

He skimmed down the list, then nodded. "Ahhh, here we are. Parker. For two. You are the first."

"I have a request. My girlfriend will be coming. I have this…" Peter fumbled around in his pocket and experienced a brief, horrified moment when he thought it had somehow discovered a hole and had slipped away… before his fingers finally settled around it. He withdrew Aunt May's engagement ring and held it up. "This ring… and I want to…"

This seemed to cause the maître d' to perk up. "You want to pop the question tonight?"

"Right. I want to do something special."

"Ah," said the maître d', thumping his open hand to his chest as if he were trying to prevent his heart from bounding out of it. "I love it. Romance." He paused, then added, "I am French," as if that were in doubt.

"When I signal you," Peter said in a conspiratorial tone, "if you bring the champagne with the ring…"

"… at the bottom of her glass."

Peter gave him a high sign. "Perfect."

"Magnifique," replied the maître d', and for good measure, he made one of those popping noises, like a champagne cork, by bouncing his hand off his mouth.

"Also," said Peter, pulling a slip of paper from his inside jacket pocket, "I thought at the same time, if the violins could play this song…"

The maître d' glanced at it and, to Peter's relief, nodded in approval. "Their favorite."

Peter handed the ring to the maître d', who held the diamond up for closer inspection. If he thought the size was unimpressive, he at least had enough discretion not to say anything about it.

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