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“Ms. Daniels? Party of two? Follow me, please,” the Manager said as he led them into the restaurant.
“How does he know my last name?” Maye whispered to Tracy.
“Do you think he can read minds?” Tracy whispered back.
They followed the manager into the bustling dining room. Conversations and laughter echoed through the open space, which was illuminated by lights that dangled from the rafters. Mr. Manager led them to a table alongside the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the busy city street. Maye flashed her eyebrows at Tracy. How fancy, she thought.
“Your server will be right over.” The manager took a step back and then leaned in toward the table again. “Oh, and I almost forgot to mention. You’re our guests tonight so this evening is completely on the house. All of the expenses are covered, including the tip. Enjoy.” He smiled and then disappeared.
“How nice is this—” Maye started to say when she was interrupted by someone placing a drink down in front of her.
“Good evening, ladies,” said the woman delivering two drinks. “My name’s Deanna and I will be your server tonight. To start, we had a special request that your experience begin with one of our signature specialty drinks, Sex on the Beach.”
“Ha!” Tracy blurted out.
“Chris…” Maye murmured.
“I’m sorry,” Deanna smiled. “I cannot disclose the responsible party.”
Maye and Tracy tapped their hurricane glasses, which were decorated with skewered fruit and tiny umbrellas, and then each took a big sip.
“Good evening, ladies. My name is Chef Antonio,” a man said as he approached the table. “I wanted to come out and welcome you to our establishment and ask if you have any special requests for your time with us?”
“Well,” Tracy said, “we’ve heard great things about your fish and chips.”
“One of my favorites,” Chef Antonio said. “How about this? How about I prepare a tasting menu so you can sample a variety of items, and I’ll start with the fish and chips. Sound okay?”
Maye and Tracy nodded.
“That sounds wonderful,” Maye said.
Chef Antonio leaned into the table and lowered his voice, “you two must be pretty special to somebody. You’re getting the VIP treatment tonight.” He tapped a knuckle against the solid wood table before heading back to the kitchen.
“Can you believe this??” Tracy leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. “We’re like the Queens of Canada.” She quickly leaned in. “Does Canada have a Queen?” she whispered.
“This is too much,” Maye said, reaching for her phone. “I need to text Chris.”
Maye:
So you have a few connections at Gahan House?
Chris:
Who? Me?
Maye:
Thank you This is all very sweet.
Chris:
You two have a lovely evening!
“Looks like someone has a crush on you,” Tracy teased.
“Who, Chris?” Maye was surprised. She had her suspicions. They had been getting along really well, after all. But was it so obvious to others? “No…you think? I don’t know…”
“Um, do I have to list the signs for you?” Tracy said. “Where should I start? With him discreetly planning an elaborate dinner for you, or maybe the time you two almost kissed in the middle of a movie set?”
