Page 51 of Heart

Mikey whispered, “I’ll have to remember that next time I want to take advantage of you.”

“You already took advantage of me,” George said. “But that’s OK. I kinda liked it.”

“Me too, buddy. But I have to go now because—believe it or not—I have a date out there.”

“A date?” George couldn’t mask his disappointment. “You have a date?”

“Yeah. We met at B.J.’s last night. His name is Ned.”

“Ned,” George repeated, taking a swig of water. “OK, you go on. Zac and I have to get things plated.”

“Sure thing, George. I’ll be right out there if you need me.”

“Thanks, Mikey. I can always count on you.”

Mikey didn’t want to leave, but he had to. He passed May and Theresa on his way out the door.

“The place is packed,” said May. “Everyone has drinks. What’s next?”

“Bread,” Zac said, gesturing to the counter where the bread baskets and butter plates waited.

“Can we take them?”

“Please do. Thanks.”

Zac looked at George. “Hey, boss. How are you feeling now?”

“Good. I feel...great.”

“I can see that.” Zac chuckled. “Look, if you need me to, I can handle things. Do you want me to address the crowd?”

“Nope. I can do it. I’ll just wing it.”

“Are you sure? I really don’t mind.”

“You’ve done plenty... and I am beyond grateful. I need to do this.”

“Fair enough. Have some more water.”

George lifted the cup, drank it all, then put it back down. “I need a favor, though.”

“Anything, George. Just ask.”

“There’s a little boy named Tommy out there. I promised him some cheese bread and ravioli.”

“I’m on it.”

* * *

When George stepped out of the kitchen, the first thing he noticed was the sound of Gianni’s accordion—its soft melody instantly transporting him to southern Europe. Shane had come through for him again.

As May had said, the house was full. The Keegan-Alford party was seated in the back—Jack and Demarco, Wilson and Tommy, Demarco’s mother and Rachel, and Andrew Mulligan and his husband. They were chatty and laughing—exactly what he wanted to see—neededto see. Midway to the bar were several tables and faces he recognized. He waved at a few—mostly local merchants he had invited from the neighborhood and farmer’s market. Closer to the bar was Mikey. May had seated him and his date, Ned, with Fabio.

Good call,George thought. This would give Fabio some company for the evening until he was free. Ned and Fabio were already engaged in an animated conversation.

Yeah, you two keep talking.

Mikey sat apart from them, eying George. He smiled and waved, face still flushed from their kiss. George thought about being pinned to the counter by him. Just remembering that brief, intense contact gave him goosebumps.