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Oh God, Annie’s obsessed with that show. She forces me to watch every new episode. I think she has a crush on the host because she laughs at practically everything that comes out of the guy’s mouth even if he’s not that funny.
“He’s donated something to the auction. The winner gets to fly out to California to his restaurant and have a dinner prepared by him at the chef’s table. And you get to attend a taping of The Ultimate Chef where you’re the guest judge! Then the next day, you fly up to his winery in Sonoma to check out the place with him and do some wine tasting.”
“Oh my God,” Annie squeals and looks at me with pleading eyes.
“Obviously your wife is as obsessed with this guy as mine is,” Carm says with a hint of irritation.
“Oh, Carm.” Bella sidles into him and splays her hand on his chest. “You know you’re my number one.”
“I’d better be.” He gives her a kiss.
I put my hands in the pockets of my tux. “I take it we’ll be bidding against each other?”
“Seems that way,” he says.
Annie worries her lip.
“It’s just friendly competition, don’t worry,” I say to her and wrap my arm around her waist.
“Is anything ever just friendly competition with the Mancini brothers?” Bella raises an eyebrow.
“Hey, guys.” Dom and Val join us and say their hellos.
“Sorry we’re late. We got… sidetracked,” Dom says with a satisfied grin. I don’t have to guess what it was they were doing.
“Did I hear someone say something about competition?” Val asks.
Annie launches into telling Val all about The Ultimate Chef’s package that’s up for grabs, and Val squeals in delight too.
“Looks like this one is going to go to the highest bidder.” Dom smirks.
Probably because he’s made a killing on Wall Street over the years. Even though Carm and I are successful well beyond most people’s standards, Dom has never spared any expense for something he really wants. And there’s nothing he wants more than to please his wife.
“Bring it,” Carm says.
I know he’ll make a real go of it since he lost the race today. Two losses in one day won’t sit well with him.
“May the best man win.” Dom adjusts his cuff links then links hands with Val. “Should we go find our table?”
“Anyone remember what number it is?” Carm asks.
“Twenty-seven,” Annie says. That’s my wife. Always one for the details.
We find our table and take our seats. A waiter comes by and leaves some bottles of expensive wine and champagne on the table for us. I lift the champagne and fill our glasses. I want to give a toast to my wife.
When I get to Bella’s, she places her hand over the top. “I’m going to stick to water for a bit. I haven’t eaten all day and I don’t want the champagne to go to my head.”
I nod and place the bottle back down in the middle of the table.
“Yeah, we all know what a cheap drunk my wife is,” Carm says and kisses her cheek.
Bella just rolls her eyes, used to his antics.
I raise my glass and everyone else follows suit. “Before the festivities for tonight get under way, I want to give a toast to my gorgeous wife. After all, she’s the reason we’re all here tonight. Annie, when you were first diagnosed, I felt like my entire world was falling apart. But you fought with grace and determination and remained the pillar of our family. Frankly, you amaze me every day with the kind of woman you are—strong, resilient, loving, and full of compassion. You mean everything to me, my love, and I’ve never been more grateful for anything than when the doctor said your cancer was gone. To a long and happy life together.”
Annie has tears in her eyes as she looks at me.
We all cheers, then I lean in for a chaste kiss before I sip my champagne.
Shortly after, the MC starts the festivities by talking a little about the charity and the work they’re doing on the research front, as well as all the new developments some of the trials have revealed. Then the guest speaker comes on to talk about her experience. She’s a well-known TV personality who is in the midst of her own battle, as is evident from the scarf she’s wearing on her head and the pallor of her skin.
Still, her speech is moving and I can’t help but be brought back to that time in Annie’s and my life. The familiar fear grips me and my chest constricts my lungs, making it hard to breathe.
I don’t want Annie to see me like this, so I abruptly push away from the table, saying I need to use the restroom. It’s rude to leave in the middle of a speech, I know, but I don’t think I’ll be able to keep myself together if I stay.
Everyone at the table gives me a strange look, but I bolt before anyone can stop me.
