Page 36 of Code Violation

“I’m here with Loudmouth.”

The server just snorts a laugh and grabs me a menu, leading me deeper into a sea of tables decorated with red plaid tablecloths and those cute little table lamps I’ve always thought were super cozy.

“You found the place okay then?” Drew greets me with a hug before she retakes her seat, and June stands, setting a kiss against my cheek.

“I feel like I’ve stepped back in time and my grandparents have invited me for dinner,” I say, casting my eyes around the place.

June takes a seat opposite me and waves her hand. “When Luigi died, Dad and his friends wanted to keep the decor the same. They just refreshed some of the soft furnishings.”

I look between Drew and June. “Who’s Luigi?”

“The previous owner,” Drew clarifies. “June’s dad, Jensen, and a few of his former teammates own a chain of Italian restaurants across the country, but this one, right here, is the original.”

“And the food is unmatched.” A guy, who I’d pin as in his early sixties, with salt-and-pepper hair and a bright smile approaches our table, wearing a white dress shirt and black pants. His confident walk screams that he’s the owner. His face also looks familiar, although I can’t quite narrow down where I recognize him from.

“Jon, don’t get ahead of yourself. The lasagna is delicious, but the gnocchi needs more work.”

The guy glares at June in a playful way, and now I’m certain that he’s a former hockey player and one of Jensen’s teammates.

He turns his attention on me, holding out his hand, which I shake. To be honest, guys much older have never done it for me, but I can definitely imagine that he was a heartbreaker when he was younger.

He’s got piercing gray eyes that make women weak in the knees.

“In case you haven’t already worked it out, my name’s Jon Morgan, and I’m one of the owners here.” He points to Drew and June. “These two are basically my nieces and like to stop by the restaurant once in a while to eat free food and then complain that it’s not as good as other Italian places in town.”

Drew chuckles from beside me. “And in case you haven’t already figured this out, Jon likes to be dramatic. We do, in fact, like the food here, and I have, in fact, paid multiple bills.”

“I’m Vesper,” I say, getting the conversation back on track. “And I’m an Italian food addict who will gladly hoover anything you put in front of me.”

His top lip quirks. “I like you already, Vesper. How about the seafood ravioli? I have it on special tonight.”

My stomach growls. “One of my favorites.”

Dipping a hand into his pocket, Jon pulls out a pad and pen and begins scribbling down my order.

While Drew and June select their food, I zone out for a second, eyes tracking to the family portraits lined along the walls. There are a couple with Jon in them and then another with June and her family, including Will. A tinge of sadness settles in my gut—a wish that things with my family had worked out differently. I haven’t spoken to Naomi in weeks and haven’t seen her in nearly six months. I know she’s probably preoccupied with her new boyfriend, but it would be nice to see her more than I do.

It’s also been over a week since I last saw Silas. Aside from a few texts from him, asking me how I am, I’m trying not to spiral over that night. Maybe me asking him to stay in my bed was too much, but he did it anyway, just so I wouldn’t feel rejected.

Either way, he did me a solid with my boss. The guy has been nothing but kind and understanding each time I’ve seen him.

June’s hand in front of my face snaps me back into the room, and I blink a couple of times.

“What are you wearing to the game tomorrow night, Ves?”

I release a low groan. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can make it. I missed a shift the other week, and I was planning on making up the time.”

Drew raises a brow. “Were you sick?”

“Yeah,” I lie, feeling my cheeks flush a little.

When I turn to June, she’s giving me the same doubtful look as Drew.

“Girl, please never play poker,” June drawls. “And while I’m not going to force you to tell us why you didn’t show up for work, I am going to insist that you come to the game tomorrow night. The Rogues against the Blades is always a season highlight, and I have my first-ever interview going live on the jumbotron at the end of the second period.”

I gasp on her behalf. “Who?”

June flicks her dark hair back, pride swamping her face. “Tommy Williams. Former Blades defenseman and a Hall of Famer. He’s in town to watch the game.”