We’ve been slammed nonstop tonight, which was odd for a Tuesday night. I’m still continuing to promote Villa Ravenna on social media, and now that they've opened up pick-up and delivery, we have had more orders in one night than we have had in a week. I’m not sure if that’s why Nick was in a good mood when I got to the restaurant or because he was happy to see me. He kissed me in front of his sister when he greeted me, which he had never done before. His sister acted disgusted and told us to get a room, which made uslaugh. But after having Abigail’s words repeat in my head over and over I can’t help but think, I’m the reason he’s so happy right now.
Right as I’m bringing out my table's food, Sophia sits at another table of mine. A man who’s by himself. After working in the restaurant industry, nothing hurt my heart more than seeing an old man or lady by themselves. He wasn’t extremely old, but when I looked down at his hand, I didn’t see a ring on his finger, so I knew no one would be joining him.
“How are we doing this evening?” I greeted him as soon as my other table was taken care of.
“Doing better than I deserve.” He smiled warmly at me.
“Can I start you off with anything to drink?”
He grabs the wine menu and looks it over. “How about your house merlot? Don’t want to get too fancy tonight.” He jokes.
“Coming right up,” I tell him. Now that I have my liquor license, I didn’t have to rely on Alexa or anyone else to serve my drinks to the table, but I still liked to piss her off so I sent the order to her station and and went back in the kitchen to check on my other tables' orders, to make sure they were almost ready.
“LeRoy, how is that veal and sea bass looking?”
“Looking beautiful just like you, Mel.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Hey, don’t be flirting with my wife, LeRoy.” Nick jokes but he smiles up at me and I swear, my heart feels like it’s going to explode. He’s so damn beautiful and watching him sweat behind the line to help get the food out made him somehow more attractive. Over the past few weeks, I’ve learned to get in a rhythm working here, and things have been run a lot more smoothly. We all worked together, like an orchestra, creating a beautiful symphony as we each carried out our roles.
“Do we have an ETA?” I asked LeRoy.
“Five minutes, babe.”
Nick throws an asparagus. “What did I say?”
LeRoy’s laugh comes from his gut as he bellows a soft chuckle. “I just love pissing you off boss.”
“Don’t forget who writes your paychecks.”
“How can I? You remind me every chance you get.”
I bit my tongue, holding back a laugh.
“Then stop pissing me off and I won't’ have to remind you that you are replaceable.”
“Ya, ya, ya.”
Is the last thing I hear before walking through the double doors to Alexa. “Where’s my glass of Merlot?” I say as I approached the bar counter.
“You aren’t the only person here, Mel, chil, I'm getting it right now.” She was busy so I couldn’t give her too much shit, but that didn't stop me from messing with her. “Don’t make me complain to my husband about you,” I say with a sly smile. She glared at me as she poured the red wine into the large wine glass and sets it in front of me.
“Here you go, Mel.”
“Mrs. Consele,” I say with a wink as I walk off with the wine glass in hand. And I’m sure she is cursing me out in her head as she watches me deliver my table his wine glass.
“Have you decided what you want to eat or do you need a few more minutes?”
“What would you recommend?
I hated it when people asked me this because my tastes were different. “I'm not sure if you like veal or lamb, but the Vteillo Oso Buco is phenomenal. It’s tender veal braised in wine, served alongside Italian mushroom risotto. Another one of my favorites is our Modino D’Angelo. It’s four grilled porterhouse lamb chop medallions, served on a bed of sautéed mushrooms, and comes with a side of spinach, linguine, garlic, and oil.
“Nice accent, when did you live in Italy to learn the language?” he asks.
I let out a snort. “I wish. I learned it from my tutor. I’ve visited Italy before but never lived. I fell in love with the place so much I wanted to learn the language.”
“It's spoken like a true native. I’m impressed.”
