Page 140 of Broken Grump

So, as she furiously types away on her screen, I rest against the door and try to think about my dear Grammy Cohen.Think of her bumpy, loose turkey neck, Hayden.

I open my eyes and look down.

Whew.That seems to have done the trick.

“Anyway,” she murmurs after putting the device back in her tiny purse. “As I was saying, Sam lived in California for a bit. Almost four or five years, I think.”

“Hence, the gig at The French Laundry.”

Addie grins and nods. “Yep.”

“So, what did she do? Was she in the kitchen or—”

“No, she was a server. Have you ever been?”

“A few times. You?”

She shakes her head. “No, but I’d love to go.”

Noted.

“Sam is modest and says it doesn’t really live up to the hype. But I think she may have had lost her rose-colored glasses after working there for so long. What do you think?”

I reflect on one of the many times I had the pleasure of dining there. I was with my brother, Noah, and a few of his female “friends.” We wined and dined to the nines, and to this day, it’s the best sirloin I’ve ever tasted.

When I relay all of this to her, minus the little detail about the girls. She grins with stars in her eyes. “It sounds so glamorous.”

“Well, you can think of tonight as a dry run. I mean, as you said, the head chef worked there for years, right?”

She smiles again. “Right.”

When we pull up, Lionel gets out and opens my door before I swing over and let Addie out. Like the gentlemen that I am, I give her my hand.

“Have I told you just how gorgeous you look tonight?” I ask, soaking her up from behind as she walks towards the building.

Looking back at me over her shoulder, her blue irises dazzling, she replies, “Well, thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”

“Good evening,” the sharp-dressed host greets us as soon as we get into the main entryway.

“Evening. We have a reservation for two under ‘Cohen.’”

He checks his massive book before nodding and grabbing two menus. “Great. Please follow me.”

As evidenced by the shawl around Addie’s shoulders, it’s a little cold tonight, so I’m glad that I opted for an indoor table.

“Here we are,” he says, referring to a nice, spacious booth.

To my chagrin, she scoots in across from me. Fortunately. I kind of hate those couples that sit on the same side.

“Enjoy your dinner tonight.”

“Thank you.” She beams up at him. And by his bashful smile, I can tell that he’s smitten with her.But who could blame him?

Just like the streetlights on the way over here, the twinkling bulbs cascading above us shine in her dress.

“Oh, my goodness. It all looks so good. My mouth is practically watering.”

Mine too. But not for the same reason.I bite my lip as I think about nibbling on her plump lips.

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