“Yeah, sure.”
Nick looks up from the table. “Eric, my boy!” he shouts. He pats the empty seat beside him. “Forget Christian and come sit with me.”
I glance at Christian. He chuckles a little.
“It’s alright,” he says.
“Okay…”
I was hoping we’d sit together. But there’s not a lot of space at his side of the table. So I walk over to Nick, taking the seat next to him.
Nick slides a glass in front of me. “You’re a little behind, aren’t you?”
“Behind on what?”
The table laughs.
Nick squeezes my shoulders. “Isn’t he adorable? Let’s get you a shot, shall we? I’ll take one with you…” The second the waiter approaches, Nick holds up a glass. “Another round for us, please!”
I look over at Christian. He winks at me from across the table, holding up his drink in the air. He’s sitting next to someone I don’t recognize. This brunet guy, wearing a white polo and jeans. I wonder how they know each other.
Nick puts an arm around me. “Tell me, Eric, how’s life been since I last saw you? Any wild stories at the box office? I want to know everything.”
“Nothing crazy. Just applying to schools and stuff.”
“Christian tells me you’re taking a gap year,” he says, nodding. “I hope you’re using it to travel. I was in Portofino a few weeks ago. Have you been to Italy?”
“No, but I’ve seenLuca.”
Nick laughs. “You’re hysterical. Where did Christian find you?”
A second later, the waiter appears with two shot glasses.Nick hands one to me, taking the other. He holds his glass up and says, “Cheers to good health.”
Our shot glasses clink. I hold my breath as it goes down. It’s like swallowing gasoline. There’s a harsh aftertaste, sending a shudder through me.
“Terrible, isn’t it?” Nick says.
“Whatisit?”
“Gin.” He hands me some water to wash it down. “The first one is always the worst.”
“It might be my last, too.”
“That’s what we all say.” Nick laughs. “I love this sweater, by the way.” He touches my arm, running his fingers over the fabric.
“Thanks… I think it’s cashmere.”
“Oh, I can tell. You’llhaveto let me borrow it,” he says teasingly. Then his eyes brighten, as if remembering something. He picks up a small menu. “Goodness, you’re probably starving. Let’s get you something to eat. You’re not vegan, are you?”
“No.”
“I wouldn’t judge you if you are.”
“I’m not.”
The waiter appears again. Nick puts in an order of calamari, along with some cocktails. A Negroni Sbagliato, one of his favorite drinks. Thankfully, they don’t check my ID. The view of the water is beautiful tonight. But I keep looking over at Christian, watching him be extra friendly with the other guy. How come I’ve never seen him before? Nick must have noticed me staring.Because he leans in and whispers, “That’s our friend Zach, if you’re curious. He’s visiting from LA.”
I look away. “Oh, I wasn’t…”
