Page 44 of Win Big

She rolls her lips inward.

“Poopsie. Shmoopsie-poo. Sugar lips.”

Now she laughs. “How about Everly?”

“How about we stick with princess?”

“Fine.”

The server arrives with our wine, pouring a taste for me. It’s a smooth, plummy Merlot, and I pronounce it fine. The server fills both our glasses, tells us about specials, and asks if we have any questions.

“We haven’t even looked at the menus yet,” I confess.

“Take your time!”

Everly sips her wine. “Very nice.”

I pick up my menu and scan it. “Jesus,” I mutter. “I don’t even know what half these things are.”

Everly chuckles. “It’s an adventure, then.”

“True. And I do like an adventure.” I lean forward to whisper, “Seriously, though, what is ‘sprouting Romanesco’?”

She bites her lip. “I’m not sure. Want me to check?” At my nod, she pulls her cellphone out of her purse. “It’s a vegetable. A green thing that looks sort of like broccoli.”

“Trumpet mushrooms? Will we at least get high from them?”

“I doubt it.”

“Okay, they have normal stuff too. Short ribs. Steak. Veal. But it comes with Castelfranco... what the fuck is that?”

She tries to stop her smile as she googles again. “It’s a type of radicchio.”

“Okay, I know what that is.”

The menu is cracking us both up, which is good. I’d hate it if Everly was all pompous and serious about it. Eventually we order starters, which are weird salads, and then I order a steak with a bunch of fancy extras and she chooses dumplings with some vegetables and pesto.

“It’s a really nice place,” she assures me, once we’ve ordered.

“Wait until we taste the food. Sounds all fancy on the menu, but if it tastes like shit, I’m gonna be pissed.”

“I’m sure it’s good. This place is very popular. Whoa.”

“What?”

“That’s Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson over there.” She gives a subtle motion of her head.

I casually turn to look. “Holy shit. It is.”

“I should go say hi.”

My eyes bug out. “You know them?”

“No. Kidding.”

I shake my head. “I wasn’t in a very good mood when I was on my way to pick you up.”

“No? Bad day?” She eyes me over her wineglass as she sips.

---