“I’ll take that,” a man says from behind me. “Here’s the ticket.”
“Swanky,” Iris mutters, giving me a big smile. “I’m impressed.”
It’s not lost on me that she uses the same word my grandmother would. It’s an old one and not something I hear often.
“Been here before?” I ask her, motioning for her to walk in front of me.
“No,” she says as she follows the hostess into the main dining room, and I trail behind her.
My gaze travels down the back of her, taking in the tight fit of her dress and the way it hugs her hips and waist perfectly.
The hostess stops in front of the best table in the place. “Is this to your satisfaction?” she asks.
“Better than I could’ve expected,” I tell her as I move to pull out Iris’s chair for her.
The table is next to the fireplace, giving us much-needed heat and ambiance. I set it up that way since my good friend from high school owns the place. He did me a solid with this last-minute booking, and I owe him one for it.
“Impressive.” Iris smiles up at me as she takes the seat.
“Which part?” I ask as I sit across the table from her.
“Your manners and the table.”
“The manners were hammered into me at a young age, and the table… I know a guy.”
She laughs as she takes the menu from the hostess’s hand.
“The chef would like to make a special meal for you, but if you’d prefer to order off the menu, he’d be happy to do that too,” the hostess says. “He’ll be out shortly to say hello, Mr. Gallo.”
“I guess you do know a guy.” Iris smiles as she looks down at the menu, her face illuminated by the fire.
“I know a lot of guys,” I tell her, studying the soft lines of her face.
She glances up, catching me staring. “How do you know him?”
“We went to school together. He grew up in the neighborhood.”
“I only keep in touch with Sandy and Mikayla from school. I couldn’t even tell you where everyone else went. High school ended, and everyone scattered.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Not really, if you knew the snooty people I went to school with.” She laughs. “They were awful.”
“Northsiders,” I whisper.
“We’re not all snobby.”
“You aren’t and neither are your friends, but the rest…” I can’t take my eyes off her as she looks down at the menu. How did I get so damn lucky? It’s like the snowstorm was sent on purpose to throw us together. Maybe winter will end up being my favorite season after all.
“I bet you secretly love the Cubs.”
“I would be kicked out of the neighborhood if I loved the Cubs.”
She snorts. “Liar.”
“Braxton,” David says as he comes to stand beside our table.
I instantly rise, giving my old friend a hug…something that isn’t abnormal in our neighborhood. “Good to see you, man. This is Iris.”
