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“Ma!” I slap a hand over my face, trying and failing to hide my smile.
“Told you.” Eve reaches her hand over to Tommy, her eyes still glued to me. A mischievous grin stretches across her brown face. “Pay up.”
Tommy reluctantly snatches a five-dollar bill from his wallet and slaps it into Eve’s expectant palm. He points a cookie at me. “You keep losing me money.”
“What if I told you, I could make up for every dollar you’ve lost?”
Tommy’s ears twitch. “You have my attention."
"How would you feel if instead of proposing to Lauren at the company party, you proposed to her at Theo’s newest restaurant tonight?” Tommy stops chewing and I know I have piqued his interest. “He’s hosting a New Year’s Eve party for his staff and said if you proposed there tonight, he would have champagne ready to celebrate.”
“He – He would really do that for us?” Tommy’s eyes water.
I bob my head and clap my hands. “And that’s not all. The best part is Theo said you and Lauren can have an all expenses paid dinner on opening night!”
“Are you serious?” Tommy slaps his face with both of his hands. “Opening night atBennett’s? That’s amazing!”
“So does that mean you and Lauren will come to Theo’s party tonight?” I bite my lip in anticipation.
Tommy jumps to his feet. “Absolutely. I need to call Lauren and tell her plans have changed.”
“And what about me?” Eve pouts, arms crossed over her chest. “Did your boyfriend forget about Ma?”
I slither my arm around her shoulders, pull her close, and plant a kiss to her forehead. “He asked for you to join us tonight as well. Said food and drinks are on him. Plus, you get to wear that gorgeous red dress you bought the other day.”
Ma hugs me and jumps to her feet. “Come on, Kit Kat. We have a party to get ready for!”
Theo’s restaurant looks completely different when we arrive. The valets are prompt in opening car doors and speeding vehicles away to park. There are heaters outside on the sidewalk keeping guests warm as they arrive and in the black iron fenced patios, there are firepits roaring for those brave enough to sit outside for a cigarette. The restaurant sign,Bennett’s, is lit up and beckons people to hurry up and get inside where the main dining room smells of American comfort and is filled with the joy of the upcoming new year.
Eve looks stunning in her body-hugging red dress and struts inside as if she is the Queen of the Night. All eyes are on her and rightfully so; she looks like a goddess with her tight curls bouncing with each step she takes.
Tommy and Lauren walk everywhere hand in hand. Pa looks nervous and it brings a smile to my face. He has put so much effort into his appearance tonight wearing a suit when I know he would prefer to be in a t-shirt and jeans. But when he sees Lauren’s face brighten once we walk inside, he melts.
Tommy is the one proposing tonight so why ismyheart racing?
Lauren excuses herself to find the bathroom, Eve hot on her heels, hoping to get a better look at the available men in the room.
I elbow Tommy in his side with a grin. “You nervous?”
He whips a handkerchief from his pant pocket and wipes the beads of sweat bubbling around his forehead. “A little bit.”
“Why?” I nudge him toward the bar. “You think she won’t say yes?”
“Oh, I know she’ll say yes.”
I put my finger up to catch the bartender’s attention. “Then why are you nervous?”
“Because that means I’ll be moving out and I’ll miss you. Hell,” Tommy sits next to me when two stools become available. “I’ll even miss that little gremlin.”
“Mr. Whiskers?”
“Eve.” Tommy snorts out a laugh. He wraps an arm around me pulling me in for a hug. “The past ten years have been the best. But I suppose we knew this day would come.”
“The day you broke up the gang.”
“That’s not fair.” Tommy pouts, drawing a laugh from me.
“I’m kidding.” I hold my hands up in protest. “You might be moving out to start a life with Lauren, but you’ll always be Pa.”
