Page 93 of Daily Grind
Len nodded and cracked a grin that was almost as brilliant as Brian’s. “Good choice.”
He said that toBrian—which meant it wasn’t about Rob’s wine selection. His cheeks couldn’t get hotter.
No wonder Brian was fast on his feet with the quips. Growing up in a family like this? You’d have to keep your brain and tongue sharp.
As Len vanished down into the basement, Brian’s mom spoke. “Zoe, why don’t you and Brian make a salad. Rob can help your dad set the table.”
Now that was odd, but nice to be thrown into the family like that. Tony gestured to the living room, and Rob followed. “She wants us to use the good plates.”
“Not on account of me, surely.” Still, he took the white china plates Tony pulled from the cabinet and handed to him. He laid them down in the appropriate spots.
Tony snorted. “Of course for you. Who else?”
Rob swallowed and took two wineglasses from Tony. Cut crystal. “I’m—” He shrugged and held up a glass. “Notthisfancy.”
Tony eyed him, very much in the same manner Len had. “You’re a CEO.”
“I am, but… this isn’t business.” He wouldn’t feel so helpless if it were. Silverware followed. Actual silver, with a slight tarnish to its glint.
“So, is tonight more or less important than business?”
Oh yes, he was being tested, but there was only one answer to that question. “Farfarmore important.” The words scraped against a tight throat.
Tony nodded. “Hence…” He gestured at the table and the expensive setting.
Rob straightened. “I understand.” He clamped down on the rest of his thoughts.
“But?” Cloth napkins. Tony was pulling out fucking cloth napkins and napkin rings.
“I’m a kid from a coal town, under it all. I’m not—” He stopped and laughter took him, enough that he grabbed the back of the nearest chair for support.
He was standing in the house of a kid from a steel town. Brian’s house, in Pittsburgh. “I suppose,” Rob said, “this is where you tell me to stop being a pillock.”
“Does that mean dumbass?” Tony’s smile took all the edge off that.
Rob chuckled. “Exactly.”
“Who’s being a dumbass?” Brian carried a salad into the room and set it on the table.
“Me,” Rob admitted.
“You’re balking at the china, aren’t you?” Brian’s smile was a mile wide. So was Zoe’s.
And the crystal. He shrugged, which was as close to admission as he was willing to give.
“Mom and Dad break out all the stops for…” Zoe paused. “Well, you’re the firstboyfriend, but you know.”
“I could get out the slide projector,” Tony said.
“No!” Zoe and Brian spoke at the same time, horror on their faces.
Rob leaned against the chair and laughed. “Now that’s true family hazing.”
“They usually leave that for Christmas.” Len strode in, carrying two wine bottles. “So beware.”
“Noted.” Assuming they made it that far. Goose bumps on his arms. He met Len’s smile with one of his own.
Finally, Alice came in with the ravioli and sauce and placed those on the table and they all shuffled around to their seats—Rob’s was predictably next to Brian’s. Grace was said—the Catholic version he barely knew—then the wine poured and food shared.
