Page 82 of Play to Win

I hope that’s not because I’m not dressed right for the other restaurant.

Even the café is lovely.We’re shown out onto a patio overlooking the beach, with glass panels blocking the breezes.Big potted palms fill the spaces between wicker tables and chairs with comfortable striped blue cushions.From here we can see people walking and running on the boardwalk and the Ferris wheel of the Santa Monica Pier.

The beauty of it all makes my chest hurt.I don’t even know what I’m doing here.

“Let’s order prosecco,” Aline suggests.

“That would be nice.”

With flutes of bubbly wine in hand, we peruse the menu.

“I think I’ll have the grilled salmon salad,” Aline says.“What are you thinking of?”

My eyes skim over the prices.I still have some cash, so I can afford this, but wow, it’s expensive.I don’t want to assume she’s paying for lunch.“I think I’d like the ahi niçoise salad.”

“Oh, good choice, I’ve had that.”

We set our menus aside.“You’ve obviously been here before.”

“Yes, I love this place.We used to stay in this hotel when we visited Bob and Chelsea, before we moved to California.”

“Ah.It’s beautiful.”

“And a nice location.The boys loved going to the beach and the pier when they were little.”

We order and then Aline says, “I thought this would be a nice chance to get to know each other, and I’m sure Théo’s busy at the arena.”

“Yes, he apparently has a lot on his plate.”

Her forehead furrows briefly.“I’m sure.That team is a mess.He’s got a challenge on his hands, but then, he’s always loved a challenge.”

“He’s been through some tough times.”I’m thinking of his eye injury.

“Yes.”She studies me.“He’s told you about his accident, obviously, and having to give up playing.”

“Yes.It must have been hard for him.But I admire what he’s done.”

She smiles warmly.“So do we.He didn’t always have things easy as a youngster either.He was so smart, people treated him like a ...”She searches for a word.“An oddity.Nobody expected him to be athletic, even though he comes from a family of athletes.”Her eyes shadow.“He endured a bit of bullying.”She sighs, sounding pained.“There’s nothing worse than when your children are hurting and you can’t fix it or stop it.I tried.”Her brief smile holds sadness.“But he was determined to prove those bullies wrong, and he excelled at hockey too.I think that made it even more painful for him to have to give that up.”

My heart squeezes, thinking of an unhappy little Théo, his accomplishments even more impressive after hearing this.“Luckily, he has brains as well as athleticism.”

“Yes.”She shakes her head, a rueful smile perched on her lips.“We don’t know where he gets his brains from.”

“I’m sure you and your husband are both very intelligent.”

“Well, we’re not stupid.”She laughs.“But Théo’s mathematical genius is remarkable.”

“Not to mention he’s very hard working.”

“C’est vrai.True.”

Our server refills our wineglasses.

“So.”Aline looks around the café.“You like this hotel?”

“It’s gorgeous.”I can only imagine how much it would cost to stay here.Maybe even more than a basic room at the Wellborne, where I used to work.Although the penthouse suites at the Wellborne are about two grand a night.

“I’m so glad you think so!You know”—she leans forward—“they do weddings here.”

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