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Sure enough, there does seem to be something different about G tonight. Maybe she really is giving up on me, which, to be perfectly honest, is the best news I’ve heard all week.
“Yes, I have.”
Giovanna stands up as a couple enters the restaurant. “Helping out Dad tonight,” she says by way of explanation. “Enjoy your dinner.”
She’s about to walk away, but I stop her.
“G?”
As she turns to face me, I wonder if I’m going to regret this question.
“What do you mean, you knew after seeing that picture of Chari and me?”
She looks at me as if it was the dumbest question in the world.
“Because I’ve never seen that expression on your face before. And I’ve known you for a long time, Enzo DeLuca.” Winking, she turns away.
She winked at me, and it wasn’t even flirtatious.
Will wonders never cease?
“You look confused.”
Hayden.
“And you look—” How do I put this? “—dapper?”
When he wants to, Hayden can fit in with the crustiest of the upper crust. No suit in his closet is off the rack—he’s sporting one of his finest tonight.
“We have a sitter later. Ada’s coming into the city for a date night.”
That’s unusual. “On a Wednesday?”
He sits, unfolding the napkin from the table and putting it on his lap. “Got two tickets for the Black and White Pre-Ball.”
Ah, that made sense. The Black and White Ball is one of the city’s most coveted events. But the Pre-Ball, always held the Wednesday before, is a sneak peek held exclusively for a select few celebrities and, in Hayden’s case, the crème de la crème of the New York City elite.
“So why are you here? Aren’t they serving dinner?”
Hayden gives me a strange look.
“It’s Wednesday.”
The waitress comes over with our drinks, having known what we’d ask for without taking our order, looks at the menu on the table, then at Hayden, and smiles. “The usual?”
“Yes, please,” Hayden says.
“Eggplant for me.”
She scribbles on her pad and walks away.
“Ada said she doesn’t mind, she had a late lunch anyway. I’m meeting her there at eight.”
Which gives us plenty of time to eat, but still.
“You could have cancelled.”
Hayden cocks his head to the side. “Nope. No need. Besides . . .”
