Ollie sets the wine down and pulls a face like it smelled bad. “I’ll take a cola too.”
“Anyone else?” Sherry pauses, looking around. “I’ll be right out with those.” She replies briskly, rushing off. I glance around noting each table has a designated server.Fancy,I think to myself, wondering how we scored the waitress with no personality.
I look down at my salad, examining all the different shades of green, from each leaf to theedamame and snap peas. Even the dressing is green.
Dante is the first to pick up his silverware. He pokes at aparticularlyspikey leaf and examines it as he lifts it. “This looks dangerous,” he observes and shoves it into his mouth. He crunches it and makes a surprised frown while nodding. “Looks crazy but tastes good,” he notes digging back in.
He bolsters my courage enoughwhere I feel like I need to at least try it to see for myself. Looking over at his table setting, Imake sure tograb the same fork he used from in front of me. I take a much smaller nibble, just in case. I don’t want to have to swallow it if it’s bad.
Surprisingly, citrus is the first flavor I experience. The dressing is a little creamy, balancing out the bitterness of the leaves and lemon flavor. It’s not something I’ll crave, but it’s definitely not bad. None of the others seem to have the same reservations as I do, they dug in without complaint.
I hear the clanging of silverware over the soft music playing in the background, it’s just enough to mute the conversations at the closest tables. I push my plate toward Dante after a few bites. I’m not sure my stomach willbe able tohandle a five-course meal.
I glance at the guys, then down at our black tablecloth, but I don’t really let my gaze roam around the room. I don’t want to know if everyone is still staring at us.
The waitress returns, drawing my attention, with two glasses of icy cola on her tray. “Can I take that from you, miss?” She extends her hand like she might reach from my plate.
I snag the corner and look over a Dante. “Do you want the rest of mine sweetie?” My cheeks instantly flame as the term of endearment I’ve never once uttered slips from my lips.
Dante pauses mid bite, his eyes jumping up to meet mine. He passes his plate, not evencompletelyempty, to the waiting girl behind him and pulls my dish closer. He examines the food that’s left, looking for the best bite I suppose. I look away, glad Ollie didn’t tease me about my slip-up, and that it didn’t seem to bother Dante.
I register a tap on my hand, and Dante has the fork raised in my direction when I peer over at him. A small leaf with anedamame bean on the end is poised and waiting. He moves his hand a little closer, angling to give me the bite.
I lean over and take the morsel from the end of his fork. “Thank you, but you have the rest,” I tell him after chewing.
Milo and Ollie are talking while eating, gossiping really, about the surrounding people. They keep their voices low enoughso they don’t have to worry about being overheard, I can barely even hear them.
The chatter gets a little louder as dinner progresses, but by the time they serve the main course, you can’t even hear the low thrum of the background music playing. I’m juststarting to get comfortable when I hear a throat clearing and someone gently taps a fork on a crystal glass. The ring quiets the room fairly quickly.
My gaze is drawn to the table next to us, where Rosa is standing. Her yellow gown drapes over her curves, making her look elegant and regal. She’s looking out into the crowd, waiting for everyone to acknowledge her. “I wanted to say thank you all for coming today. For sharing such a joyous day with our families.” She turns then and faces our table. Rosa brings the tips of her fingers from both hands up to her lips and kisses them, before lifting them off and sending the love in our direction.
“Meie cari…” She gets a little choked up when she looks at all of us. William stands and wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her close to his side. Rosa straightens her back and gives a delicate little sniffle. “Your journey hasn’t been as an easy one,” she makes eye contact with each of us individually, and Dante reaches for my hand under the table, “but seeing you all together now fills me, us,” she waves to the whole table, including all the other parents, “with such joy.” She takes a breath and her head bobs as she swallows and reaches for a tall glass of red wine. “Vi auguro di tutto cuore che serenità, felicità e complicità vi siano compagni per tutta la vita e che il vostro futuro sia luminoso come questo giorno. Alla salute!” She tips back the glass, taking a heavy gulp, and raises it in the air. Everyone follows suit, including us as I scramble to grab my water goblet.
“What did she say?” I lean closer to Dante.
“I wish with all my heart for serenity, happiness and complicity to be your lifetime companions and for your future to be as bright as this day.” He dips his chin, laying it on the top of my head. “It’s a toast to the future.”
As Rosa sits, Linda stands. “I’ll keep it brief, I know everyone isanxious to get out on that dance floor.” A couple people laugh with her, poking fun. “You boys have been inseparable since forever. When you were younger, none of us could have imagined, hoped, that this would be your future. Laura, thank you for finding our boys, for bringing them back to us, to each other.” She nods her head quickly and wipes under her eye. “To a wonderful future.” She raises her glass then takes a sip in a toast.
I bury myself a little closer to Dante’s side, but reach for Milo’s hand. Expecting Carolyn to stand next, I look at her. She lifts her glass as she rises to her feet. “I knew you twowere going to get all sappy on me.” She looks over at Rosa and Linda, her voice is a little nasally like she’s fighting tears. That gets several people laughing. Fanning her face with one hand, she faces our table.
“I’m so happy for you all.” She pauses. “I’m just going to say we love you and stop now, before we’re all blubbering.” Raising her glass she looks around, making sure everyone else raises theirs. “To love, to laughter, and happily ever afters.” I gulp down the last of my water with her toast.
Scott stands up and glides his hand over Carolyn’s back. Oh no, are all the dads toasting too? I’m going to need another drink and the bathroom soon if this keeps up. But instead of a toast, he proclaims, “Bar’s open,” with a chuckle.
Chapter 24
The noise in the large ballroom rises as peoplebegin mingling around. The waitstaff is busy gathering dishes and refilling glasses, mostly unnoticed by the partygoers.
I let my back rest against the seat, finding it much more comfortable than I would have expected. The music volume rises along with the chatter of voices. Scott is the first to come over to our table, and he places his palm on the back of Ollie and Milo’s chair as he glances around. “I bet you guys are dying to get out of here.”
“You’ve no idea,” Ares replies dryly.
That makes Scott chuckle. “You’dbe surprised.” He lifts a squat crystal glass up to his mouth and takes a sip. “Well, don’t have too much fun guys.” He gives me a wink, and a wide grin spreads across his lips as he turns to walk away.
Ollie leans over the table, his voice just above a whisper as he says, “Twenty minutes of playing nice, then I say we get the hell out of here, you game?” He sweeps his eyes past each of us.
“I’m in,” I add, probably a little too quickly. None of the guys object though.
