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"It is the things in common that make relationships enjoyable, but it is the little differences that make them interesting." - Todd Ruthman

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Chapter 45

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A short while later they were outside of Jilly's Piano Bar. There was crowd just to get to the front door and despite the freezing temperatures there were still a good twenty people standing in line. Several groups of girls huddled together hoping to get inside so they could warm up with a drink while a few couples clung to each other tightly, the girls faces expectant with the promise of a dance.

Martin could see the worried look on Sam's face thinking that he was going to make her wait in the cold. He held her hand tightly and tried to keep in front of her to protect her from the icy gust of wind that whipped past. As soon as they had moved past the line of shivering clubbers he quickly approached the bouncer.

Martin eyed the 250-lb bouncer with his shaved head and thick blond mustache standing guard in his bulky down jacket with his arms crossed. He narrowed his eyes at the two of them and Martin thought this is a man who looked like he never, ever smiled.

"Hey man, my name's Martin Fitzgerald." Martin introduced himself with a grin. By the expression on the guy's face he could have cared less; he looked back at them like he couldn't wait to hear what lame line they were going to use to try and get inside. Martin started to worry that he was going to be seriously embarrassed in front of Sam when he remembered what Charlie told him and added, "I'm a friend of Tony's."

Suddenly the bouncer's expression softened and he gruffly said, "Oh, yeah, man." He unhooked the velvet rope and let them pass, much to the dismay of the people still waiting in line. The bouncer yelled to another man, "Hey, this guy's a friend of Tony's."

They entered the foyer and a short, stocky Italian man approached them. He was wearing a gray shark skin suit and had a thick Chicago accent. "Hey Marty man, I'm glad you could make it tonight. And who is this lovely lady?"

"Hey Tony," Martin shook his hand and turned to introduce Sam. "This is Samantha Spade."

"Hello." Samantha reached out to shake Tony's hand.

Tony smiled as he held her hand between both of his and looked deeply into her eyes, "Hello, how you doin'?"

"Fine, thank you." Sam replied casually. "How are you?"

Tony tilted his head and said, "I'm good. Busy night, you know how it goes."

Sam nodded her head but made no attempt to continue the conversation. Martin's eyes darted back and forth between them noticing that Tony wasn't make any move to let go of Sam's hand.

He cleared his throat and said, "Tony, how about that table?"

Tony dropped Sam's hand out of his and said, "Oh yeah, right. Follow me, this way."

Tony went first and Martin had Sam walk between them so he wouldn't lose her in the crowd that was literally asses to elbows. Jilly's had dark red walls and was dimly lit for ambiance but had just enough light so people could see who they were talking to and what they were drinking. The air was smoky as many of the patrons were puffing on cigars and cigarettes.

Sam reached out for his hand as she followed Tony through the crowded club where people of all ages and sizes were drinking and laughing and having a great time.

As they walked he couldn't help notice that some people were watching them as if they were somehow important enough to get a personal escort to their table and it gave him a little thrill. Especially when the other men took a second glance at Sam but knew she was off limits since she was quite clearly with him. He knew it was shallow to be proud that he was here with the hottest girl in the club but then he quickly thought, screw it, he was going to embrace his primitive cave man instincts.

Me Martin.

She Sam.

Mine.

As they walked he could hear the music grow louder with each step and he soon found himself at an intimate table for two near the piano bar where an older bald man with a baritone voice was singing Sinatra's "They Can't Take That Away From Me."

"The way you haunt my dreams, no they can't take that away from me. We may never, never meet again, on that bumpy road to love but I'll always, always keep the memory of…"

As soon as they sat down Tony asked them what they were having and went off in search of their drinks. Sam turned to him and asked, "Do you come here a lot?"

It was hard to hear over the din of the music so Martin moved his chair closer to hers. He briefly wondered if he should keep up the façade that Charlie and Tony went through so much trouble to create but decided that the truth would be easier. So he shook his head and replied, "No."

Sam looked at him in surprise and leaned in close to him and said, "Really? I mean, that guy is acting like you're old friends."

Martin rested his arm on the back of her chair and said, "Charlie actually set this all up. He knows Tony from high school. He set this all up in the hopes that I could impress you with my cool connections."

She laughed.

Sam raised an eyebrow and asked, "So, the restaurant was set up by James and this by Charlie….exactly how much did you plan?"

"Well, I asked you out and….. I drove." Martin answered with a sly smile. "I also have to sit here and try to keep you entertained."

"Well, you are doing a very good job." She smiled and gave him a quick kiss. "So they must be really good friends to volunteer to help you plan a date."

"Yeah, well I asked for their help. I told them we got into a fight…."

Sam went rigid and curtly said, "You told them about our fight? I can't believe you told them, that was personal Martin….."

Martin quickly interrupted knowing that she was already gearing up for another fight. "I didn't tell them why we fought. I only told them we got into a fight and I felt guilty for instigating it. That's all they know."

A look of relief crossed her face before a look shame took its place. "I'm sorry, Martin." She put her elbows on the table and buried her face in her hands. "I overreacted – again."

"It's okay," Martin replied as Sam looked up, bit her lower lip and slumped into her chair. He nudged her with is hand and said, "Sam, really, it's fine. We didn't fight. See, we are making progress."

She gave him a sheepish smiled, tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned in closer. Martin put his mouth near her ear and reassured her again. She nodded her head and turned to face him. "I am sorry."

"I know."

She gently fingered his collar and said, "You're lucky to have really helpful friends."

"Yes I am." He replied, grinning. Since she was so close he took the opportunity to kiss her.

After a few kisses, he pulled back to see Sam smiling at him as she shook her head bemused. The man at the piano switched to another Sinatra classic, "I've Got You Under My Skin."

"I've got you under my skin. I've got you deep in the heart of me. So deep in my heart, that you're really a part of m, I've got you under my skin. I've tried so not to give in, I've said to myself this affair never will go so well but why should I try to resist, when baby will I know than well that I've got you under my skin….."

Tony returned with his gin and tonic and Sam's martini. He took a drink and watched Sam over the rim of his glass as she plucked the olive off of the little metal sword with her teeth smiling at something Tony told her.

Tony turned his focus to Martin and laid a hand on his shoulder. "So, how's Charlie doing? I heard that SOB went and got himself shot."

Martin nodded his head and replied, "He's good. I talked to him this afternoon. He went home today but he should be back to work in a few weeks."

"So he's stuck at home, huh? I'll be sure to send him a bottle of scotch."

Martin shook his head as he chuckled and said, "Actually, I think you should send it to Nadine. She has to put up with him."

Tony laughed and patted Martin on the back. "Good idea!"

They asked him who the singer was and he told them his name was Nick Russo, local celebrity singer. Then he told them that he told his staff that if they need anything to make sure they got it. Then he excused himself and disappeared into the crowd.

As he watched Tony walk away Martin realized how very differently this evening would have been if Carl had taken a little more time to aim. While it was easy for him and Charlie to make jokes today the truth of the matter was Charlie could have been killed. There but for the grace of god, Martin thought. He wasn't sure if it was the gin that was causing the burning sensation in his throat of the realization that he almost lost his best friend.

"Hey," Sam put her hand on his cheek. He turned to look at her and she said, "He's fine. Believe me: it can drive you crazy to wonder what might have happened."

He nodded and Sam leaned forward to kiss him. He had to admit that he was really enjoying the making-out portion of the date. They sat drinking and kissing for awhile when Sam asked, "So when does the dancing part of this date kick in?"

"Right now," Martin stood up, extended his hand and asked, "May I have this dance?"

Sam laughed and accepted his hand so he could lead her onto the crowded dance floor. He pulled her to him, held one of her hands in his and put the other on her lower back while she put her free hand on his shoulder. The song changed and a very familiar tune began, Dean Martin's "Everybody Loves Somebody."

Everybody loves somebody sometime
everybody falls in love somehow.
Something in your kiss just told me
my sometime is now.

Everybody finds somebody someplace
there's no telling where love may appear.

Something in my heart keeps saying
my someplace is now.

She moved her arm so it her hand could rest behind his neck. She looked up to meet his eyes and said, "You know, I never would have taken you for a dancer."

"I actually like dancing….well, this kind of dancing anyway." Martin corrected before adding, "Just don't ask me to fast dance. It will be incredibly awkward and embarrassing for the both of us."

She laughed.

Everybody loves somebody sometime
and although my dream was overdue
your love made it well worth waiting
for sometime is now.

She gently fingered the hair at the back of his neck. It sent a warm tingling sensation down his spine. She whispered in his ear, "So why do you like dancing?"

"Where else can you hold someone you care about this close to you in public without causing a scene?" He smiled as Sam's body fit against his. "Of course, when I was ten years-old I hated taking dance classes. I'd rather be outside playing football."

"You took classes?"

"I told you, my mom had a thing about etiquette. That included table manners and dance lessons." Martin said as he led them further into the dance floor.

"Well, your dance instructor taught you well." She replied.

"I'm sure Mrs. Bennahum would be proud to hear that considering what a difficult student I was." Sam looked up at him curiously and he said, "I told you, I hated it. I once faked a heart attack to try and get out of it. I lay down in the middle of the floor, clutching my hand to my chest and she just told everyone to dance around me. Needless to say she didn't buy it."

Sam laughed and replied, "You really were difficult."

He shrugged his shoulders and kept dancing.

If I had it in my power
I'd arrange for every girl to have your charms.
Then every minute
every hour
every boy would find what I found in your arms.

He pulled her closer and said, "You know, Mrs. Bennahum used to say, 'It's all in the dance. No matter what, if you can move as one on the dance floor, you will move that way through life as well.'"

Sam smiled and let go of Martin's hand so she could wrap both arms around his neck. "I think we are doing a pretty good job dancing together."

"I think you're right." Martin replied softly. Sam rested her head on his shoulder and he breathed in the smell of her shampoo and skin. It was the most intoxicating blend he could have ever imagined.

Everybody loves somebody sometime
everybody falls in love somehow.
Something in your kiss just told me
my sometime is here.

The crowded dance floor and the world around them faded away leaving just them, swaying together as one.