Page 85 of Head Over Feels
Wepulled up to the restaurant, andIdecided valet parking would be more romantic than using the parking lot like a normal person.Fosterhad strong-armed me into applying for a handicapped tag to hang on the rear-view mirror, butIhated using it and it stayed in the glove box unlessIwas having a really bad pain day.
Thevalets practically jumped up and down when we pulled up under the porte cochere.Ourdoors were opened almost instantaneously, and the young guy who gave me my valet ticket grinned like he’d won the lottery.
“Hey, like, is this the carColeWashburnwas driving onInstagram?”
Irefrained from asking how someone could drive onInstagramand merely said, “Yes.Letme show you something.”Ipointed out the kill switch for the battery.
“Igotchu, man.Thiscar isinsane.”
Felixwas laughing and shaking his head whenIjoined him by the door to the restaurant. “Ibet you never thought you’d be a celebrity.”
Igrunted. “TheBuickis a celebrity, not me.”
Wewere greeted by a model-thin twenty-something dressed in a skintight black minidress.Afterchecking my reservation she led us to a booth.Felixstarted to get in, butIheld him back.
“Excuseme,”Isaid to the hostess. “Couldyou get someone to clean the table?Ican see some crumbs.”Ichecked. “Andon the seats.”Fuck, what a first impression forFelix.
“Ofcourse, sir,” she said. “Ido apologize.”Shewaved over a passing busboy.
Iturned toFelix. “Areyou still okay eating here?Wecan go somewhere else.”Nextto me, the hostess stiffened, butIignored her.I’dgo fullKarenif it meantFelixwas comfortable.
Felixfrowned at me. “It’sfine with me.Butif it bothers you, we can leave.”
Ifrowned back.Washe trying to be nice, or was he actually okay with it?
“Iseverything all right?I’mAdrianThomkins, the manager.”
Iturned to him.Hehad the classicTexaswhite-guy-who-played-football-in-college build with blond hair and blue eyes.Great.Withguys like that it was fifty-fifty odds whether they’d go allquien es mas machoor be friendly and professional.
“Therewere crumbs on the table and seats when we walked up.I’mconcerned about cleanliness and attention to detail in other areas.”
“Ido apologize, sir.”Wasn’tthat exactly the phrase the hostess had used?Didthey practice it? “We’rea little short on bus staff this evening andIshould have personally made sure the table was cleaned properly after the last party.Youcan be assured everything else will be up to the highest standards, butI’dlike to offer you a free appetizer in consideration of the poor first impression we made.”
Iraised an eyebrow in inquiry atFelix, who had pasted on a fake smile.Hesaid, “Um, sure.That’sfine with me, if it’s okay with you,Malcolm.”
Inodded atAdrian. “Thankyou, it’s very kind of you.”
Wesat, and our server came over to introduce herself.Shekept glancing atAdrian, who was standing near the host stand pretending not to stare at us.
Inshort order we had menus and water, and she left us alone.
Iput my hand on the table nearFelix. “Areyou sure this is okay?Idon’t mind going somewhere else if you’re not happy here.”
Felixput his hand on mine and said, “I’mfine,Ipromise.Butonly as long as you are.”Ihad the distinct impression he wasn’t thrilled and was putting on a good show of it for my sake, butIwasn’t about to contradict him.He’dmade his choice clear.
FornowIhad to take him at his word. “I’mgood.Themenu looks interesting for a steak place.”
Weboth relaxed, and our server seemed to relax as well when she came back to find us smiling.
Felixwas delighted with his meal.Mysteak with some sort of crab on top was delicious as well.
Wewere just debating dessert when a man approached the table.I’dclocked him coming because he’d stared atFelixso hard during his walk over.Hewas around thirty-five years old, with short brownish-blond hair and a close-cropped beard.Hewas wearing dark jeans and one of those shirts you can wash in the river and air dry when you’re camping.Felixdidn’t notice him, soImuttered, “Incoming”.
Felixjerked his head up, but the guy was already standing next to the table.
“Hey,Felix,” the guy said.
Felixgaped, then said, “Tyler?Wow, what are you...Imean, um, hi.”Hisvoice kind of trailed off.Wasthis one of the ex-dates?Iglared at the guy.
