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“I heard Audra and Damon adopted recently…?” Ivy inquired.
“They did. A boy and a girl.”
“Your family is expanding too.”
“Yes, we are.”
Ivy placed a hand against his arm. “I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you need to make your rounds. It was good to see you.”
She leaned in for a hug, and they briefly embraced.
“Next time you’re in Atlanta, stop by Garlique and make sure you let me know.”
“I will. Nice to meet you, Marissa,” Ivy said.
She and her husband walked away.
“Ivy runs the restaurant group of her family’s conglomerate, which is why she and I have a friendly competition going,” Bruno explained. “The Brew Pub is a chain that competes directly with Bruno’s Tavern. I admit to eating there and enjoying their smothered fries. She also manages Ivy’s, the fine-dining chain named after her. But, though those two restaurants are successful, most of the family’s money comes from beer.”
Marissa’s eyebrows knitted together. “Beer?”
Bruno nodded. “The Johnsons own the largest beer company in the country, and it’s privately held. Full Moon Beer.”
Marissa’s mouth fell open, and her eyes found Ivy and Lucas across the room. “Her family owns Full Moon?”
Bruno nodded. “Let’s find our seat,” he said, taking her hand again, which fit perfectly inside his.
He led them to their table near the stage. Soon, the lights dimmed, and the MC came out to the podium.
Dressed in a tuxedo, he grinned as he surveyed the well-dressed crowd.
“Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the James Beard Awards!”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Restaurant people knew how to party!
Fanning her heated skin as they exited the venue, Marissa was drunk off the excitement of the long night. She and Bruno waited with a small group of attendees for the valet to bring their cars, and when the young man drove up in the Ferrari, Bruno opened the door for her. She slid onto the seat while he strolled around to the driver side with his tuxedo jacket draped over his arm.
Turning to him as he slipped behind the wheel, she said, “Put the top down.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. I want to feel the wind in my hair.” She grinned.
“Yes, ma’am.”
He lowered the top and pulled into traffic.
“Woo-hoo!” Marissa flung her hands in the air.
Bruno looked at her. Laughter on his lips and in his eyes. She sighed happily as the sports car cruised along the roads in the light nighttime traffic and the cool breeze washed over her. The wind whipped her hair into disarray, but she didn’t care.
She felt amazingly free and light-headed after attending two afterparties where delicious food and drinks were served. Though she should be tired, she was high—buzzing, as if she’d had plenty to drink when in fact she hadn’t had any alcohol at all.
The majority of the excitement came from being on the arm of the man beside her. He’d tossed his tie in the back seat with his jacket and only wore his white shirt and lucky cufflinks. The wind was doing a number on his hair too.
The entire night she’d enjoyed watching him in action with his peers, laughing and joking and engaging in good-natured ribbing. Their celebrations included toasts for continued success in the following year and congratulations on their current success.
