Torrios Table because Torrio—”
“Was the one who got Capone into the mob,” I finish for her.
“Yep. See how smart you are? Once you get that degree you’re going to leave me.” She pretends to pout, and I smile in return. I’ve never seen this fun side of her before.
“Let me get my degree first then we can worry about what I’m doing. As it is I’m the oldest person ever enrolled in college.”
She leads us to one of the booths and slides herself in until she’s in the middle, so Chelsea and I take a spot on either side of her.
“No, you’re not, and just think of all the younger men you have at your disposal this time around.” She grins.
“You want her to go cub hunting?” Chelsea picks up and glances over a small menu on the table.
“I’m not old enough to be a cougar.” I lower my voice. “The thought of dating a younger guy who knows nothing about women, does nothing for me. He wouldn’t even know his way around a woman’s vagina, let alone how to get me off.”
Chelsea raises her hand in the air as if to signal ‘victory!’
“I knew you were just being nice.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I lean forward and smack one of her hands down from across the table.
“It means…I knew there was a smart-ass hidden in there.”
Hannah smiles. “I agree with Victoria. Next go around I want a man who can take care of my needs. That knows his way around a woman’s body as well as he does the sports channels on television.”
We all nod in agreement.
“And I don’t care how many partners he’s had because I say the more women, the more skills he learned from them. As long as he can be faithful, we’d be good.” Hannah raises her hand to get the waiter’s attention although I’m certain he noticed her when she came in. Hannah is hard not to notice.
“Ms. Crowley, so nice to see you again.” He bows down. “Good evening, ladies. May I suggest a bottle of Chardonnay?”
Hannah shoots him a tight smile. “Not tonight.” She looks from one side of the table at Chelsea to the other at me. “Three Vespers.”
He tries not to act surprised, but I see the emotion register on his features for a split second. “I’ll be right back.”
As we wait for the waiter to fetch our drinks, I soak up the rich atmosphere. The room is filled with mostly men, men in suits. Men like Reed. Probably lawyers or some other equally untrustworthy profession where they take advantage and rip people off. Married men probably come here to unwind, leaving their wives alone. Whoa, Earth to Victoria.
The waiter brings over our Vespers and we’re each a vision of poised sophistication as we slowly bring the glass to our lips and swallow a small sip, when what I really want is to pour it down my throat I’m so thirsty. Not to mention the buzz will help tremendously to push away all thoughts of He-who-shall-not-be-named.
“You know I have to ask. How did you get in here?” Chelsea leans forward.
“Family. My dad’s been a member since he was of age and his father before him. It’s changed hands a few times, but what doesn’t change is that money speaks.”
One thing I admire about Hannah is that for all her class and grace, she doesn’t come off like she thinks she’s better than you and doesn’t look down on people who aren’t in her tax bracket, but at the same time she keeps it real. I wonder if she was always that way or if her divorce changed her? Divorces have a way of changing everyone.
“Nice. Man, to be you.” Chelsea brings her glass to her lips with a small shake of her head.
Hannah doesn’t say anything and sometimes I think Chelsea needs reality glasses because she believes she wants things without truly knowing what that will bring her in her life. She wants a bad boy with a heart of gold, but hearts of gold don’t mean they’ll respect her. She wants Hannah’s life, but I’m fairly sure Hannah went through hell in her divorce. My mom welcomed me with open arms after my divorce, but I’m not sure her family did.
Hannah’s hand suddenly comes down between Chelsea and I on the table with a hard smack. I grab my glass before it tips over. “I can’t believe they’re letting that piece of shit in here.”
Chelsea and I follow her