Harvey resists Louis' nudge. He watches Tess dance with Tanner. He has not seen her in months. She is just as beautiful has he remembers. There is a simple very grounded elegance to Tesla that makes her stand out in room of plastic. "Harvey." Louis notices Harvey's stare. "It is not like that, Louis."
Harvey walks over to the bar with Louis in tow. He waves for the bartender. He gets a drink for himself and Louis. Tess dances with Tanner for a couple of songs under observation.
"How does Tess know Travis Tanner?" Louis is curious. He has never come across Tanner socially with Tess or Rose.
"She restored a car for him a few months ago. She knows him." Harvey does not want to give an impression to Louis that Tess is doing this on purpose. What kills Harvey is that it is quite the opposite. Scottie, she would have danced with Tanner as revenge. Tess, Tess is just dancing.
"Ah, so she knows him. Yeah, that makes it much better. " Louis rolls his eyes at Harvey as Rose joins them.
"So what are you two gossiping about?" Rose gently takes Louis by the arm. "Nothing, Darling." Harvey is surprised that in a way, Louis is protecting him. He is not sure what Louis has shared with his new lady love.
"Nothing my sweet petutie… I'd say it involves all things Tesla." She gives Harvey a gentle nudge. Rose gives a wave to Cliff from across the room summoning to her side. Harvey is a bit curious but intrigued.
Rose whispers something to him. With a wink and a nod, Cliff is off to the dance floor. He gently cuts in on Travis Tanner. Travis parts with a kiss to Tess' hand as Cliff sweeps her up in his arms as only a gay man can do at an affair like this.
Louis gives her a smile. "Trust me she is like a debutante Godfather." He whispers to Harvey. Rose pulls Harvey in close. She whispers to him with a wink.
"Someday, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But, until that day, accept this justice as a gift. Now go buy that girl a drink." Harvey likes Louis' girlfriend instantly. Rose completes her Godfather quote with a push on his back towards the dance floor.
At the end of the song, Tess and Cliff end up chatting with Daphne. The trio moves towards the bar and towards Harvey. Tess is surprised to see him. She realizes that it has been months since she has seen him. Life is too short for awkward and she knows that she is being set up and was not prepared for this. She manages to keep Cliff and Daphne in her company. Harvey wants to talk with her. She knows it. She just has no idea what to say. She wants to tell him... Sorry, Harvey I am not a consolation prize seems in poor taste at such a proper affair... she thinks to herself.
Tess has heard the story of Scottie's sudden departure and of Mike's new job from Louis. Harvey truly doesn't realize that Tess and Louis have become fast friends.
Tess takes a breath and jumps in. She walks up to the bar next to Harvey. Harvey waves down the bartender. "Hello, Tesla." He gives her the smile that melts her inside and out. "Hi, Harvey."
Harvey orders her a drink. She is impressed that he remembered what that would be. "You look lovely tonight." He hands her the glass.
"Thank you, you are looking quite dapper yourself." She takes a sip to sort her thoughts and to keep something on her lips so her thoughts don't directly manifest to her lips with out a proper filter. "I am sorry to hear about you and Scottie… and Mike."
Harvey realizes that she knows far more about his life of the last few months than he does about hers.
"It has been quite a change." He can smell her Chanel perfume as she moves mixed with the familiar scent of Mr. Bubble. The scent makes him smile. Though their time together was relatively short, he enjoyed Tess' company a great deal.
Tess is not sure if that statement applied to Mike or to Scottie. She is, however, eager to change that topic as they turn to small talk. The group lingers chatting through the end of the event. Cliff makes the suggestion of an after-hours party as always been their tradition since their younger days. Harvey never realized that Tess had been part of this world. It may have been through Daphne but Daphne's family is quite clearly fond of Tesla. Before Tess can stop him or intervene, Cliff offers an invitation for Harvey to join them.
Seizing the opportunity, Harvey offers his car as part of the transportation. Cliff makes sure that Tess rides in Harvey's car. The group heads to the small Jazz club that Cliff actually owns. Harvey has been to this place before he had no idea of Tess' connection to it. He is also thrilled to figure out that Tess came to the event stag.
The place is dimly lit and hazy as any good jazz club should be. The band has finished for the night but has decided to jam for this private little soiree.
The group gathers around tables. Harvey is delighted that he gets to experience another side of Tess. Hell, he is delighted to experience any side of Tess. His thoughts drift to the relationship he had with Tess. He is beginning to appreciate just how good they were.
Well into the night and into the endless flow of liquor, the stories come out… boarding school, college… life. The girls have always been close. Louis has learned so much about Rose from many nights spent with this group of friends. For the first time in his life, Louis feels like he belongs.
As the night winds to a close, the girls and Cliff take Daphne's car while Harvey offers Louis a ride home. As they wait outside for the cars, Harvey approaches Tess to say goodnight with what they both know is an audience.
He takes her hand into his own and raises it to his lips. "It has been great to see you, Tess." He kisses her hand and flashes his smile. Tess leans in and kisses him on the cheek. "It was great to see you too, Harvey." The car has arrived as Harvey releases her hand for Tess to get into the stretch limo with Rose, Daphne and Cliff. She looks over her should and gives him a wave which brings a smile to Harvey's face.
Louis walks up behind and slaps Harvey on the back. "You have got it bad, Harvey."
"Louis, has anyone ever told you that you are an exquisite soprano?" Louis rolls his eyes at Harvey as Ray pulls up with the car.