“What’s so funny?”
Zach pointed to the menu. “Look. They have that Cabernet we ordered at dinner the first night we met.”
It was so like Zach to remember the wine they drank on their first date. One of the many things that made him special. Sam reached under the table and squeezed Zach’s knee.
“Oh, then we have to get a bottle,” said Cheryl. “Show the waiter which one.”
After Zach ordered the bottle of wine, they sat for a moment, staring at each other across the snowy-white table cloth. The restaurant served old-school Italian food; few things could compare with the aroma of roasted garlic combined with the sweetness of tomato sauce. The walls were roughened brick, and the ceiling was tin; a lovely brass chandelier hung from the center, illuminating the entire room. Flames crackled in the cheery fireplace blazing in the opposite corner of the restaurant from their table. He and Zach had eaten here several times and found the food to be delicious and the service friendly and attentive.
Unable to bear the silence any longer, Sam figured since he was used to interrogations, he’d begin the question-and-answer period.
“What do you do, Matt?” He took a piece of the crusty hot bread out of the basket and dipped it into the olive oil.
“I’m a City councilperson, and this is part of my district. My primary focus is making sure seniors are protected. It’s how I met Cheryl initially.” He threw her a fond look. “She’s wonderful with the seniors. They love your mother, Zach.”
Zach stopped buttering his bread to give a faint halfhearted smile. “Everyone loves my mom. She’s the best.” He took a bite of his bread.
“I agree.” Matt took Cheryl’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Your mother was showing me all the apps you’ve developed, Zach; I have to say I’m tremendously impressed. My kids are addicted to their phones, and all their friends seem to meet on social media these days.”
“How old are your kids?” To be honest, Sam didn’t care that much, but he figured he’d be polite and ask. It kept the conversation flowing at least.
“My son is twenty-seven, and my daughter is twenty-five. It was hard raising them without their mother during their teenage years, but we came through it better than most.”
Zach put down his half-eaten piece of bread. “I’m really sorry. What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Emptiness dimmed Matt’s eyes. “My wife died of breast cancer at forty-five. It crushed me, so I didn’t pay attention to what was happening with the kids, and they ran a little wild. Then my sister stepped in and took control while I got back on my feet.” He blinked several times and took a deep breath, then exhaled. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without her.”
“Family is very important.” Zach pressed up against Sam. “It’s the most important thing.” Sam slid his hand down Zach’s thigh.
The waiter reappeared with the wine, and after he poured their glasses, took their orders, and retreated, Matt held his glass up.
“I want to make a toast to you, Zach, and of course Sam as well.” Sam tipped his head in acknowledgment and then waited for Matt to continue.
“Here’s to your upcoming marriage. I wish you only the brightest future possible. Many years of health and happiness together.”
The four of them clinked glasses, and Sam took an appreciative sip. It was a very good wine.
“Zach, you’ll have to tell me how you created that dating app of yours. My daughter says all her friends use it.”
Sam continued to sip his wine, keeping silent and watching from under lowered lashes as Zach slowly opened up to Matt, becoming more animated as he explained not only how that app worked, but something new he’d thought of only today. Cheryl cleared her throat, and when Sam caught her eye, she gave him a satisfied smile, which he returned. He liked Cheryl and always believed that when she decided the time was right for her, she’d move on with her life.
The rest of the evening was spent in vibrant and pleasant conversation; Sam regaled them with funny stories he recalled of rookie mistakes police officers make, and Zach, with minimal prompting from Sam, filled them in on the wedding plans, including the menu they’d decided upon the day before.
Later that evening as they were lying in bed, Sam poked Zach in the ribs, sending the stylus he was using to write with on his tablet flying through the air.
“Hey. Now you’ll have to go get it for me.”
Ignoring Zach for the moment, Sam pulled the tablet out of his hands and tossed it to the end of the bed. “So,” he said, rolling over Zach and caging him between his forearms. “That didn’t go as badly as you imagined, did it?”
Zach shifted, sliding one leg up and around Sam’s hips. “It was okay.”
Two could play that game. Sam brushed his lips back and forth across Zach’s. “It was better than okay. Admit it: Matt was nice, nicer than you thought he’d be, right?”
He continued to place featherlight kisses across Zach’s mouth, enjoying seeing Zach squirm with pleasure beneath him.
“Yeah, okay. You were right.” Zach lay still and pushed up his glasses. “He seems nice, and I should trust my mom is smart enough to know what she’s doing.” With a sinuous move, Zach slid his legs over Sam’s hips, locking his ankles behind the small of Sam’s back. “Now, do you really want to keep talking about my mother and her boyfriend?”
With a hearty laugh, Sam plucked Zach’s glasses off and placed them on the night table, then took Zach’s mouth in a bruising kiss.
