"Well, I think you are crazy, my sweet Inspector. This place looks expensive. It even smells expensive."
Lydia's voice was a mere giggle, as he pulled the chair back for her to sit at the elaborately decorated restaurant table. To either side of the centerpiece, consisting of a brightly lit white candle surrounded by small branches of holly and pink roses, laid the menus and silverware to one of the more exquisite restaurants and best-kept secrets San Francisco had to offer.
Lucky for Steve's wallet, he was using the opportunity to cash in on a favor promised a long time ago.
Martino's Taverna was a small, family run establishment tucked into the corner of Presidio and California Avenue. The dimly lit restaurant had a calming, downright private atmosphere, despite the hustle and bustle surrounding it from either side of the busy streets.
"Not crazy, just hungry. And I didn't feel like eating alone."
Handing over Lydia's coat and then slipping the black dress jacket off his shoulders to give to the bar tender who was dubbing as the Maître D' this late at night; Steve smiled at his female company, thoroughly enjoying the fact that he'd surprised Lydia by taking her out to dinner after an excruciatingly long day at the hospital.
"Stephen. It looks like we're the only people here.", Lydia whispered insecurely when the middle-aged man disappeared around the narrow corridor to the wardrobe, and then returned wordlessly with two glasses of European Riesling.
"It's going on nine-thirty and they close at 10 during the week. I called my friend to see if they could fit us in. After all, you're the one who said we need to eat better."
Waiting until he sat down and loosened his checkered tie somewhat, Lydia reached forward to touch his cheek, her warm blue eyes welling up with tears.
"You sweet…sweet boy."
She hesitated when her voice broke, briefly glancing down before meeting his eyes again.
"You decided to share your evening of peaceful solitude with the lonely older lady next door, eh?"
Leaning into her touch, as she used her thumb to gently caress his cheek, Steve nodded wearily.
"It seems that it's been a long day…for both of us. It called for a special dinner."
As if on cue, Steve could see his friend appear from beneath the heavy-duty kitchen doors, carrying a small tray of food in his hand and steering toward their table.
"Stephen, buddy. It's good to see you again.", the tall man dressed in a white chef jacket said cheerfully and reached forward to pat him on the shoulder, before facing his female guest, "My name is Marty. I own and manage this restaurant. And who's the lady I have the honor of meeting tonight?"
"Lydia.", the young Inspector introduced his friend cordially, "Lydia DeGrossa. She works as an ICU nurse down at Franklin. She's probably seen either one of us come through the doors there a time or two, Marty."
"It is a pleasure having you with us tonight, Miss DeGrossa."
Beneath his dark complexion, Marty's brown eyes scanned the lady for many long moments, before he nodded respectfully. As the chef set the small and steaming plate down in front of them, he pointed out the sumptuously garnished food in unmasked pride.
"Tonight, we'll be starting out with an assortment of sous-vide quail eggs per your request, Inspector. The pheasant and truffles are just about done as well. Just wait until you get to try my chocolate mousse for dessert. It's to die for. Somebody in your profession can appreciate that, I am sure.", Marty teased smilingly and squeezed his shoulder one last time, "You two enjoy. I look forward to hearing how you like the food, Miss DeGrossa."
Excusing himself back to the kitchen, Marty was gone as fast as he'd appeared, leaving a stunned Lydia behind.
Upon her questioning glance, Steve smiled cheekily, then pointed at the eggs.
"You better start eating before the food gets cold. Enjoy it while you can, I'll have to save his life all over again, if we want to come back here."
