71
Rune Alignment
Chapter 25.
"What would you like?" Edward asked her.
"I'm . . . I'm not sure. Why don't you order for me?"
"Really? You trust me?" he asked incredulously.
"Edward, of course I trust you. What a silly question. Go ahead, order for me."
The server returned, took the wine bottle and poured a bit into Edward's glass. He tasted it, nodded his approval and the server filled Alex's glass.
"Where are we going?" Gleason asked.
"It's a surprise."
"Tell me."
"Then it won't be a surprise." He turned and smiled at her.
He looked at his watch, tapped two fingers on the wheel and seemed to speed up a bit. Five minutes later, he pulled to the curb in front of a row of small shops; still open this late.
"Come on," he said, opening her door.
"Bobby, what is going on?"
He took her hand and led her to a small shop a few doors from the car. A bell hanging from the inside top corner of the door announced their arrival when it opened into an art gallery of sorts.
A thin, bald man raised his head from working under a mounted magnifying glass. "Bobby Goren! My God, it's been years! How are you?" He stood and came around the short counter and the two men shook hands warmly.
"Tim! I wasn't sure you were still here. I'm glad to see you. This is my friend, Gleason. Gleason, this is Tim."
"I'm glad to meet you, Tim."
"You are one beautiful woman, if you don't mind me being so forward." Tim looked at Bobby approvingly. "What can I do for you two?"
"Uh, Tim," Bobby began to shuffle and rubbed his left thumb along his lower lip, "umm, do you . . . remember . . . that thing . . . from that one time when you . . . and I. . ."
"Yes, yes, I remember. Let me get it." He smiled at Gleason and went in the back.
Gleason looked at Bobby and shook her head. He put an arm around her waist and kissed her temple.
"Here it is, safe and sound. It hasn't seen the light of day since . . . since, then." Tim handed a small, flat box to Bobby.
"I don't have to check to see if this box is empty, do I?"
"Jeeze, Bobby, I'm shocked. And hurt." Tim opened a palm on his chest. "But, you do know me, don't you? No, it's in there."
Bobby slipped the box into his breast pocket. "Thanks Tim." They shook hands and embraced in that manly way.
"Enjoy."
The bell on the door announced their exit.
Edward and Eames enjoyed their isalata alla caprese as they chatted about their lives.
Edward reached over and took Alex's hand, rubbing his thumb along the top. She is so damn cute, he thought. Edward found the fact that Eames actually could take down a Sumo wrestler, being as tiny as she was, incredibly sexy.
The server removed their plates. Edward reached for her other hand.
"What was that all about?" Gleason asked.
"I wanted to stop and see an old friend before dinner."
"Bobby . . . what's in the box?"
"It's a surprise."
"Tell me."
"Then it won't be a surprise."
He looked at her beside him, reached for her hand and smiled. She grinned back.
Bobby pulled up to Valet parking. The attendant opened Gleason's door and helped her down. Bobby pulled a bill from his money clip, handed it to the runner and slipped the call tag into his clip. He crossed to Gleason, put an arm around her and they entered the restaurant.
"Bobby, Bobby! How are you? It is so good to see you," Guido said, arms open.
Bobby embraced his friend, "Guido! I'm fine. How is Bella?"
"Oh, she is more beautiful than when I married her. Who is this, your Bella?"
"No. No," Bobby chuckled, and did a two-step shuffle. "This beautiful woman is my friend, Gleason. Gleason, this is Guido."
"You, lovely lady, look like a Bella for Bobby," he took her hand and kissed it. "Come, I have a good table for you."
Gleason felt herself redden.
Guido showed the couple to a secluded table on the left side of the spacious, but intimate dining room. Guido held Gleason's chair and then stepped behind Bobby who took the chair to the right of Gleason, not across from her. Bobby faced the dining room. Gleason let the scarf drop from her shoulders and Guido was right there to lay it across the top of her chair back.
"Is this good?" Guido asked Bobby.
Bordegona was known for its' classic décor and intimate ambience. The other tables were to his right. Bobby glanced around and nodded. He spoke to Gleason, "Is this table all right?"
Her smiled said everything. "Yes, Guido, thank you, this is fine."
"I'll get you the wine list."
"So," Bobby said, reaching for her hand.
"So," she replied, looking at him.
"So, tell me where you were born."