Page 52 of Winter With You

GOLDEN DINER, MADISON STREET

What was he doing? Something other than his job was the answer. Luca could tell himself this was necessary research to ensure he really dug deep into Gabriella’s core aesthetic, but he’d be lying. He wanted to spend more time with her. And exactly how long had it been since he had wanted that with someone? Perhaps, if he was really honest, it was Nancy Parker, his girlfriend at college. Ambition had been his only significant partner since then.

‘So, this place we’re going to,’ Luca said as he and Gabriella walked side by side. ‘It’s one of my favourite go-tos.’

‘Does it have napkins or serviettes?’ Gabriella asked.

‘What?’

‘You know that’s how you can tell a quality establishment.’

‘Yeah? So, you like all the different spoons and dessert forks? Maybe we should go somewhere else, I mean⁠—’

‘No!’ she said quickly. ‘The opposite actually. If this place does have waiters in tuxedos then I’ll deal but⁠—’

‘No,’ he interrupted. ‘The opposite actually.’

‘Do they do breakfast?’

‘You want breakfast now?’

‘Don’t you?’

He didn’t have to think too hard about that question. ‘I actually always want breakfast.’

‘Hmm,’ she mused. ‘I don’t know if I believe that. Are you humouring me?’

‘Absolutely not. And the answer is yes, they do breakfast all day.’

‘Then what are we waiting for? Show me the serviettes.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

He led the way to the unassuming restaurant with its blue canopy. It was a hot spot all year round, with outside eating in the summer and he hoped this time, in the inclement weather, there wouldn’t be a wait line. Thankfully, the diner gods were on his side and not only was there no queue, there were also a couple of free tables.

‘Oh, wow,’ Gabriella said as they stepped inside into the warmth and she looked at the counter with its stools and the Formica-covered tables.

‘No waiters in tuxedos,’ Luca commented.

‘Thank God,’ Gabriella said. ‘It’s perfect.’

She had breathed out the last sentence like she really meant this modest eatery was her idea of culinary heaven. And that had his mind revolving again…

They sat down, took off their coats and were given menus, but he already knew what he was going to have.

‘I recommend the Chinatown Egg and Cheese Sando,’ he told her. ‘That’s my breakfast.’

‘Does it come with bacon? I mean, I shouldn’t really have bacon if there’s a chance a reporter is going to photograph it but⁠—’

‘You can add anything from the sides.’ He leaned a little across the table and put his finger on the section of her menu. ‘And, in my experience, it’s not the kind of place that has reporters jumping out of nowhere.’

‘Don’t tell me that,’ Gabriella said. ‘I’ll add everything.’

‘So add everything,’ he said with a smile. She looked up from the menu, eyes fixing on his. Somehow they were questioning. ‘What?’

‘You don’t mean that.’

‘I do.’