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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Gaines
My cravingfor the ahi tuna at Atlas 22 has yet to be sated, so I’m back to scene of the crime, or more aptly, the cardiac event that occurred here two weeks ago.
The restaurant is packed. Servers are shuffling about balancing large trays with expensive entrees as guests try to gain their attention with a wave of their hands. One guy whistles in his effort to get service. It fails miserably.
One of the people working the checkout counter that doubles as a greeting station, plops a bag of food on it right in front of me.
“You, Dr. Morgan, eat for free.”
The people gathered behind, waiting to be seated or anxious to pick up their dinner, ooh and ahh. I can’t tell if that’s in awe or anger.
I’m tempted to pull out my wallet, but a dollar saved is never a bad thing, so I smile in appreciation. “Tell Tony I said thank you.”
“You can tell him yourself,” a blonde woman dressed in a black dress suggests. “He’s speaking with someone, but he’ll be over to say hi shortly.”
I look past her to see how far out Tony is. I’ve been standing in this spot before and watched the manager slowly snake his way past every table in the massive dining room, stopping often to speak to his patrons.
My gaze catches on the red hair of the woman at the table Tony is next to. I know her.
She knows me too because as soon as spots me, she’s up and out of her chair. “Dr. Morgan!”
Her dinner companion follows her lead and slides to his feet too. He’s more cautious with his movements, as he should be. I advised him to take it slow after his procedure.
Since he called me earlier this week to essentially ask my permission for this date, I can’t be pissed at him. He’s taking his recovery seriously, as he should.
Daxton told me he wanted to make up the lost dinner to Penny. It seems that tonight is the night for that.
Tony spins to face me, his expression morphing into a grin. He raises a hand in the air. “Over here, Doc!”
I glance at the bag containing my dinner. I’m not about to tempt fate, so I pick it up and carry it with me as I set out to greet the trio waiting for me.
Tony’s hand is outstretched before I’m within ten feet of him. I’ve got my hand in his for a quick shake as soon as I’m close enough.
Daxton lifts his right hand for a shake too. Good on him for remembering to rest his left arm until he gets the all clear. The device implanted in his chest needs time to heal, so no lifting or straining with his left arm if he wants the healing process to go smoothly.
“Dr. Morgan!” Penny’s greeting is much less subdued.
She goes in for a full-on hug. I do it gingerly, keeping my hand with the bag far enough out of reach that my dinner won’t be crushed.
Stepping back from our embrace, she laughs. “The gang’s all here.”
“Not all of us,” Daxton remarks with a chuckle. “Eloise isn’t here.”
“Or Philip.” Penny clucks her tongue. “Although he’ll never be anywhere Els is again since she dumped him.”
What now?
Fortunately, it seems Penny hasn’t shared the news with Daxton, because he asks the question I want to ask. “She dumped him? Why?”
“He was an asshole,” Penny says with a shake of her head. “Let’s just say, she’s much better off without him. In fact, if all goes as planned, she’ll find a new man tonight.”
My head snaps to the side to stare at her.
What the fuck is she talking about?
Again, Daxton’s curiosity comes to my rescue. “What do you mean? Is she on a blind date?”
