Picking up her glass, she holds it out for a toast. “I’ll drink to that.”
“To the best friend in the world,” I say just as the waiter arrives with our food.
For the rest of the meal, we talk about her roommate who decided to move out and her quest to find one who’s not allergic to cleaning.
When we hug each other after lunch, I’m not ready to say goodbye to my friend.
“Promise me you’ll come visit us,” I urge.
“Sure.” She adds with sarcasm, “If Reino isn’t there.”
All the way home, I think about what she told me. Reino is playing with Noah and Flash in the backyard when I arrive at the house. They’re throwing a ball for Flash and teaching him tricks.
I go over and kiss Noah’s cheek. “Did you miss me?”
“Look, Mommy! Flash already knows how to sit.” He points a finger at Flash and says in a serious tone, “Sit, Flash.”
Flash sits down and looks expectantly at Noah.
Noah takes a treat from his pocket. “Good boy.” He holds out the treat. “Gently. Don’t bite my fingers.”
Flash takes the treat from Noah’s hand carefully.
Kent trained him well. I feel terrible about the whole business with Kent. Poor Flash. He must miss his owner. I only hope we can fill that hole for him.
Reino comes over and brushes a hand over Noah’s head. “You’re a natural. Tomorrow, we’ll go out for a walk. You can hold the leash.”
Noah expresses his excitement by jumping up and down.
Reino glances at me. “If that’s all right with you, Mrs. Morici. It’s important that he learns how to handle his dog at home and between people and traffic.”
“I’m not sure Dante will allow that.”
“It was Mr. Morici’s idea. He’ll take Noah himself. I’m just going along as backup.”
As a bodyguard, he means. I’m sure another six will follow.
“We’ll stay in the neighborhood,” he continues.
“I think we should practice in the park first, but I’ll take it up with Dante.” I look at Noah, who’s throwing a ball for Flash to fetch. “Can we have a word in private?”
Reino indicates the deck from where we have a view of Noah.
We’re out of earshot next to the pool, but I lower my voice just in case. “Did you threaten a director to give Jazz the leading role in Chicago?”
The look that comes over his face gives me my answer.
“Reino! How could you?”
He scrubs a hand over his face. “How did she find out?”
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that she’s devastated.”
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“What you did was wrong in so many ways. She had to pull out without giving them a reason. You might’ve just ended her career.”
His jaw flexes. “Not if I have a say in it.”
