DREW

My stomach growls, reminding me that I haven’t eaten in a while. I check the time on my phone and sure enough, it’s well past my normal dinner time. I don’t feel like cooking so I hop in my truck and drive around aimlessly, trying to decide what to eat. It really shouldn’t have surprised me that I ended up in the parking garage closest to Charlee’s work. Fuck it, I’m hungry and it’s a damn good restaurant. If I don’t get a chance to see her because she’s too busy, at least I’ll get some delicious food.

With that decided, I park my truck and head up to the street level. Pistorio’s is less than two blocks away so it’s only a matter of minutes before I’m walking through the door. There’s a little old lady at the hostess station standing next to a blonde who couldn’t be more than twenty, tops. They both look up when I approach.

“Welcome to Pistorio’s,” the younger woman says. “How many are in your party?”

“Uh...just me.”

The blonde smiles. “If you don’t mind a table in the back, I can seat you now.”

“Sure, that’s fine.” I look around. As many times as I’ve eaten takeout at Brody’s place, I’ve never actually been here before. The place is small, maybe only about twenty tables or so, but it’s pretty packed, even for eight o’clock on a Sunday night. I feel a little underdressed in my jeans but at least I’m wearing a collared shirt. “Is uh...Charlee back in the kitchen?”

The older woman tilts her head, looking at me thoughtfully. “You’re Drew?”

My eyes jerk to hers in surprise. Charlee talks about me at work? “Uh...yes, I’m Drew.”

The older woman reaches down and grabs a menu. “Maddie, I’ll take him back to a table. Will you please ask Ricardo to grab a place setting for one?”

Maddie nods dumbly. “Uh, sure Mrs. P.”

Ah, so this is the owner Charlee talks about. I follow her to a table all the way in the back, next to a set of doors that I’m assuming leads to the kitchen.

She waits for me to sit then smiles as she hands me a menu. “Would you like a drink while you look over the menu?”

“Uh...sure. Any kind of red wine is fine.”

I could really go for a beer but for some reason, I feel like this lady might whack me over the head for trying to order one with Italian cuisine.

She smiles knowingly, as if she can read my mind. “Very well. I’ll let Carlotta know you’re here.”

“You don’t need to do that,” I insist. “I’m sure she’s busy.”

She waves her hand dismissively. “Nonsense. I can keep an eye on the kitchen for a few moments. She can take a break for her husband.”

“Uh...okay. Thanks.” Oh, that’s right; Charlee told her about the wedding.

One guy brings me some silverware rolled into a linen napkin and another delivers the alcohol. About halfway into my glass of wine, Charlee steps out of the kitchen wearing a white chef’s coat that’s splattered with various sauces. Her long hair is pulled back with several strays frizzing out and there’s a slight sheen to her face. She looks like someone who’s been busting her ass for hours, kind of a mess, but also insanely beautiful. Even more so when she flashes me a big smile. Damn it, how can Brody ask me to give her up?

“Well, this is a nice surprise.”

I try standing up when she approaches the table but she motions for me to stay seated. “Hey. I hope this is okay.”

She sits across from me. “Of course it is. What’s the occasion?”

I shrug. “I was hungry and I kind of...ended up here. I guess I just wanted to see you.”

She hooks her ankle around mine under the table. “I’m glad you came.” She looks behind her as a waiter leaves the kitchen with a full tray. “Although I’m afraid I don’t have more than a few minutes.”

I make a show of looking at the menu. “So, what’s good here?”

Her lips curve. “Everything. I’m making it.”

I laugh. “Touché, wiseass. Let me rephrase. What would you recommend, Chef?”

“Our special tonight is swiss chard gnocchi with brown butter and crispy prosciutto.”

My stomach grumbles in anticipation. “Jesus, that sounds amazing. I’ll have that.”

She laughs. “Hey, I have to get back in there. We close at nine tonight so I should be out of here by ten. You feel like hanging around and we can head to my place after?”

“Are you sure your boss won’t mind me being here after closing?”

“Not at all. Brody actually does it sometimes. It’s easier for me to chat with him when I can keep the doors to the kitchen propped open.”

“In that case, I’d love to.”

“Great.” She scoots out of her chair but makes a point to place a kiss on my cheek before fully standing. “I’ll send an appetizer out in just a bit and I’ll pop my head out as soon as we lock the doors, okay?”

“Okay, honey. You go do your thing.”