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“What do you want, Brody?” she snaps.
I flinch, taken aback by the hostility in her tone. As often as we bicker, it’s always in good fun. She’s never used that tone with me before.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, genuinely concerned.
She takes a long gulp, emptying every last drop in her glass. “I’ve been stood up.”
I frown. “I’m not following.”
She sighs. “I was supposed to meet Adam here for pre-dinner drinks. As soon as I ordered a Merlot, he called to say that he wasn’t going to make it. He wasn’t even on-call tonight, but he went into work anyway to catch up on some stuff. Apparently, that was more important than seeing me, even though we haven’t seen each other outside of the hospital in a week.”
What an ass.
I gently tug on her elbow. “Come to dinner with me.”
“What?”
I grab the folder off the edge of the table and set a few bills inside to cover the tab. “My sister is a chef at the little Italian place a few blocks away. I eat there at least once a week—I was just on my way. You need to eat, and I’d love it if you came with me.”
Nope, I didn’t miss the double entendre there, but I’m quite fond of my nuts so I’m choosing not to point it out.
She grabs a small purse off the table. “Brody, I appreciate the offer, but I’m not in the best mood, in case you haven’t noticed. I wouldn’t be very good company.”
“Honey, you’re always good company,” I say with a wink.
Rainey rolls her eyes. “Fine. But only because I love Italian and I’m fucking starving.”
I smile in victory. I don’t care why she’s coming with me—the fact that I get to spend time alone with this woman is good enough for me. The awesome food is just a bonus. I lead her in the right direction and make my best effort to brighten her mood.
“Have you ever been to Pistorio’s?”
“No, but I’ve heard really great things about it.”
“You’re in for a treat, then. Charlee’s Italian Sausage Penne is almost better than sex.”
“Wow, that must be some really impressive sausage.”
“I’ll show you a really impressive sausage.” I waggle my eyebrows.
Okay, so my inner thirteen-year-old couldn’t resist that one.
Rainey laughs. “I walked right into that, didn’t I?”
I bump her shoulder with a smile. “Perfect setup.”
I hold the door open when we reach our destination. “Ladies first.”
I place my hand on her lower back and guide her to the hostess station. I do a little victory dance in my head when she doesn’t remove it.
Maddie, the hostess, smiles when she sees me. “Hey, Brody. Table for two tonight, huh? That’s new.”
“Well, this lovely lady has never eaten here before and I couldn’t possibly let her go another day without experiencing the finest Italian in the state.” Out of the
corner of my eye, I see Rainey smirking.
“Head on back,” Maddie says. “Charlotte held your regular table for you. I’ll have one of the guys bring over some vino and another place setting in just a few.”
I grab a menu from behind the stand and begin leading Rainey through the restaurant. Pistorio’s is small—only twenty tables or so—and they’re always packed so Charlee holds one for me whenever I tell her to expect me. It’s right next to the kitchen, which is normally the least desired location in the joint, but I prefer it because it’s easier for my big sis to pop her head out and talk to me.
