“In fact, we do.We have an Italian Santa Margherita pinot grigio, or a Church and State sparkling pinot gris from British Columbia.”
“Oh, I’ll try the BC sparkling one.”
I have no idea of the brand names.I’m not really a wine aficionado, I just know what I like.The odd time I buy a bottle, I look for pinot grigio and then let myself be guided by the price tag and appealing label.A sparkling wine sounds festive.
“Sir?”the server addresses Hugo.
“I’ll have what she’s having.”
“Excellent.Let me get those for you, and I’ll give you some time to study the menu.You can find today’s specials on the blackboard on the wall behind you.”
When she walks out of earshot, Hugo leans over the table and stage whispers, “I have no idea what I just ordered, but please tell me it doesn’t come with an umbrella.”
An unexpected, hearty laugh bubbles up all the way from my toes.Hugo’s eyes sparkle as he sits back in his chair, a pleased smile on his handsome mouth.
Then my phone rings in my tiny purse, interrupting the moment.
“I’m so sorry.Let me turn it off.”
I fumble to free my phone, and quickly turn off the ringer.
But not before I recognize the number on the screen.
Hugo
“Everything okay?”
I’m not sure what happened, but it felt like the air got sucked out of the restaurant just now.
She plasters on a smile and nods.“Yes, fine.I meant to turn off the sound before and forgot.”
She places the phone face down on the table beside her glass.
“Please don’t on my account.I have mine on vibrate, but I want to be reachable for emergencies.”I narrow my eyes on her face which has gone pale.“I hope that wasn’t one.”
At the questioning look on her face, I clarify, “An emergency, I hope that call wasn’t one.”
“Oh, no.Wrong number.”
Odd.How would she know it was a wrong number if she didn’t answer the call?
Bess looks relieved when the server comes back with our drinks, and I’m grateful to see my order isn’t some fruity cocktail.
“Do you need a few more minutes with the menu?”
“We do, actually,” I tell her, picking up my, as yet untouched, leather binder and opening it.
Bess does the same, and seems to be a little preoccupied, her eyes only drifting over the menu.
“What are you in the mood for?”I prompt her, scanning the blackboard on the wall behind her.“One of the specials is smash-burger tacos with mango salsa, which sound really good.I might get those.”
“That does sound tasty.Maybe I’ll order that as well.”
She lowers her menu decisively and slides it to the edge of the table.A move noticed by Rachel, who promptly appears at our side.With a nod from Bess, I order for both of us.
As soon as the young woman collects the menus and disappears, Bess’s phone starts vibrating on the table.She quickly grabs it and drops it on the bench beside her.
“Do you need to…?”
