Page 66 of Heart

She laughed. “Well, yeah.Thathappened. But it felt right—very sweet, actually—for both of us.”

“Same here.”

“I love it. And thank Minerva, it’s Mikey. He’s the best. So, are you two like a thing now?”

“Yeah, I think so. He may be the one with reservations.”

“Really? Why? That Ned guy?”

“No. He’s just... a little insecure.”

“MIKEY? Are we talking about the same person here?”

“I know. It’s weird. Somehow, he’s got it in his head that I’m out of his league.”

“You? George—whitebread—Patras? You’re about as high-caliber as Donny Osmond.”

“So are your references.”

“He’ll come around... just wait.”

“I think he already is.”

“How do you feel about him?”

This time George’s smile betrayed him.

“I knew it,” She raised her hands. “Madame May triumphs!”

“Whatever. This wasn’t you, you know. This was all me and him... and a succession of bad dates.”

“Maybe. But I am the reason you’re here—that the restaurant is here—in The Circle.”

“That’s true. I can’t deny that.”

“And after that performance of his last night, how could you not be crazy about him?”

“I will say—” He stopped, shaking his head. “No, never mind.”

“Spit it out, mister.”

George looked at her. “OK, witchy woman—I was going to say that if there was any magic at all going on—it was that moment. When Mikey was singing, I had the strangest sensation of David being present—like he had something to do with it.”

“How so?”

“I felt drawn to it... like everything else tuned out and it was only me, him, and Mikey—his hand on my shoulder, whispering in my ear...I approve of this.”

“Maybe he’s looking out for you.”

“Maybe it was the ouzo. I don’t know. It was weird.”

“I don’t think it’s weird at all. David would want you to be happy. You opened this place in memoriam. If you feel him here, then what you set out to do is working.”

“Yeah... I guess. It is nice knowing, or should I say,feelinghis approval.”

“None of it is bad in my book. I love Mikey... and hedoesn’thave snooty gay-face.”

“Funny... and, all snark aside, I listen to you, May. You’re my closest family, considering my mother and I barely speak and she’s over a thousand miles away. I know you have my best interest at heart. As I do you.”