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Enzo
“Ada?”
Hayden is as surprised to see her as I am. She never comes to Wednesday dinner.
“I didn’t know if I’d catch you.”
I stand, reaching her before Hayden does. As I kiss her on the cheek, I realize it’s been much too long since I last saw Hayden’s family. I tell her so.
Hayden looks at her the same way he always does, his expression full of as much reverence as love. She saved him. I may have helped set the course for Hayden to be the man he is today, out from the shadow of his father’s expectations, but Ada provided the sail. And the wind. And my friend knows it.
“Come sit. We were just finishing.” He turns to look for a seat.
“No, that’s OK, you guys finish up. I know you don’t check your phone during Wednesday-night dinner, but I figured it would be nice if I picked you up so we can send Henry home.”
Henry is their driver.
Hayden looks at his wife curiously. “But won’t we need him later?”
Ada makes a face at me, and I can’t help but laugh. Clearly she knows something Hayden does not.
“Today is his daughter’s birthday. Please tell me you didn’t forget to give him the gift earlier?”
His expression says otherwise.
Ada shakes her head, but she has a bemused expression on her face.
“It’s in my coat pocket,” he confesses.
“Finish your drink. I’ll grab it and give it to Henry before I send him home.”
Rather than wait for a response from Hayden, she heads straight for Giovanna, who guides her to the back of the restaurant.
Hayden finishes his wine and looks at me sheepishly.
“Oops.”
Poor Ada.
“I know you realize you’re a lucky bastard,” I tell him in earnest. “If she hadn’t come along . . .”
Hayden snatches the bill. It’s my turn, so I’m not sure why he takes it.
“If she hadn’t come along, you’d be left to pick up the pieces,” he says. “Which is why I’m paying tonight.”
As if it really matters. Our money is tied as closely together as our fates. Even without Ada—I shudder at the thought—there’s no one I’d rather be in business with. Faults and all. But I still enjoy teasing him.
“If you’re trying to make up for all your bad behavior, I hate to tell you, but a sixty-dollar bill isn’t going to cut it.”
Hayden’s smile reaches the corners of his eyes. He knows I’m telling the truth. But I don’t think that’s the reason for his sudden giddiness. He’s looking at his wife. Who just saved his ass, and not for the first time.
“I know it,” he says. “Sorry to skip out on you. Talk to you tomorrow.”
I nod to him and wave to Ada. “Have fun. And keep your pants on.”
His laugh echoes through the restaurant. The last Black and White Ball went particularly well for Hayden, which is why he won’t miss it. Only a guy like Hayden, who is the very opposite of shy, revels in getting caught in an extremely compromising position with his then girlfriend. He pays and leaves with Ada, but I don’t get up just yet. The only thing waiting for me back at my apartment is a laptop and more work.
“More wine, Mr. DeLuca?” the waitress asks.
