She leaves to check with the manager, who comes back with her to see me.He hugs my neck and welcomes me back."We've missed you."
I tell him."Thanks.I've missed you too.We will have a couple of friends joining us, Dirk Sam and his wife."
"Very good."He nods for the waitress to make a note, then escorts us to the table.
I slide in, and Aurei takes his phone out before he sits.I lean over to read his text.
We are seated.Tell them who you are when you arrive.
Leaving now.Heading your way.
He sets the phone down, and I ask him.
"How far out are they?I'm excited to meet him."
He smirks."He was already here when you went back with James.He was gambling with Rebecca."
"You rascal!So y'all are caught up?"
"You might say that.I told him about my Italian wealth but didn't get to tell him about you."He shakes his head and laughs."He began telling me this crazy tale.I mean crazy!"
"I can't wait to meet him.What's his wife like?"
He chuckles hard."No idea.She wasn't with him.She was looking up an old friend."
The waitress comes over, and Aurei orders a beer, and I drink water.
He tells me."Get this.He calls her 'my partner, The Brit.'"
I raise my eyebrows."Are you sure he's not gay?"
"Hell no, he's not gay!Wait till you meet him.He just loves pushing people's buttons."He smirks at the table, then looks back up at me."We pushed a lot of buttons back in the day."
"I can't wait to meet him now!"
"Dirk and I are opposites when it comes to looks and backgrounds, but we're brothers."
I lay my hand on his arm and squeeze it."I can dig that.Piper and I were too.I loved her like a sister, but her family is in politics.Mine are from the sticks."
The waitress returns with our drinks.I pretend to have an incoming text."Hang on.Let me answer this."But I text Piper.
Aurei doesn't suspect anything, which means Dirk doesn't.LOL!You are so going to get him BIG TIME.Don't give away we've already seen each other.
I've missed you, you naughty little tease.
I laugh at her answer, then put my phone back on the table.
A couple of older ladies approach us, and I smile at them.Aurei nods.
They are both wearing "I've Been Jammin' Have you?"t-shirts.They look to be in their 70's.Maybe older.
"Aren't you the star they are advertising on the banner outside?"
I cut my eyes at Aurei and say under my breath."Welcome to my world."
The taller of the two asks."May I have your autograph?"
"Agnes!No one gets autographs anymore!"The shorter one looks horrified at her friend."You take selfies these days."
