He scoffs and offers a smile to Oaklee. “See what I deal with from this one? The disrespect.” Reaching out, he takes Oaklee’s hand and offers a polite shake. “Nice to meet you. I’m Mario.”
“Oaklee,” she replies.
“Ahh, pretty name for a pretty lady.”
“Stop hitting on her,” I instruct, earning a laugh from the older Italian man, just as I expected.
“So touchy. Come on, Miss Oaklee. I’ve got the best table in the house for my new friend,” Mario announces, offering her an elbow as if he were walking her down the aisle of a church. He stops in front of the table along the back wall, tucked in the corner. It’s no more private than any other table, but it feels more intimate than most. “The best table,” he proclaims, pulling out Oaklee’s chair and waiting for her to have a seat before helping slide it in.
“You’re walking a tightrope, my friend,” I mutter goodheartedly as I take the seat across from her.
Mario just laughs in my face. “So touchy.” To Oaklee he says, “When you get tired of this Neanderthal, come see me.” He’s clearly joking, but he adds in a wink for good measure as he sets two menus down on the table. “Taylor will be over here to get your order shortly. And if this one gives you any trouble, you know where to find me.”
Then, he’s gone, leaving us alone at our table. “I’m never coming here again.”
Oaklee giggles. “He’s fun. You can tell he’s fond of you.”
“He loves to give me a hard time, which is exactly how I like it. Mario’s a great guy.”
“Good evening, I’m Taylor. Can I get you both something to drink?”
“I’ll just have ice water, please, no lemon.”
“Same,” I order.
“Would you like to put in an order for an appetizer?” she asks.
Oaklee glances at me. “You order, since you know the menu.”
I nod, turning my attention to our server. “Pepperollies and breadsticks with cheddar and marinara.”
She jots it down on her order form. “Great. I’ll get this put in and bring your drinks while you look over the menu.”
“What do you like on your pizza?” I ask without looking at the menu. I have it memorized.
“Any veggie but green pepper, and I prefer pepperoni over sausage.”
I nod, already deciding on the perfect deep-dish pizza.
“I can’t believe I haven’t been here yet. Do they deliver?”
“They do. I believe it’s from four to eight during the week,” I tell her as Taylor delivers our ice waters to the table.
“Your appetizers will be just a few minutes. Are you ready to order a pizza?”
I nod. “Large deep dish with pepperoni, onion, mushroom, and premium cheese. Oh, and tell Mario not to be a cheap bastard and skimp on the cheese.”
She smiles as she jots down our order. “I’ll be sure to relay the message and will have your appetizers out shortly.”
“Thanks, kid,” I state. The moment she walks away, I add, “One of these days, he’s gonna spit in my pizza.”
Oaklee makes a face. “I hope it’s not today!” she bellows through a giggle.
“No, it won’t be today. He likes you.”
She grins proudly. “I’m very likable,” she says before sipping her water.
“That you are, beautiful. So, tell me. Why nursing?”
