The dining room is crowded, nearly every table is full. I scan the room, it’s dimly lit by crystal chandeliers and candlelight. The light reflects off the silverware and white tablecloths. There’s a quiet hum of happy conversation and clinking silverware. The familiar smell of warm yeasty bread, rosemary, garlic, roasted meats and seasoned vegetables fills the air. The last time I was in Tybalt’s, seven years ago, Jessie sat near the back. I look past the diners toward the table for two nestled in an alcove in the back corner.

“I see my party,” I tell the hostess.

I stride through the dining room. Neither Jessie nor Gavin notice me. They lean toward each other, Gavin speaks animatedly and Jessie listens with a happy, open expression on her face that she’s never given me. I pause. They look like a couple. Jessie leans closer to Gavin and her arm brushes against his shirtsleeves. Gavin gives her a wolfish grin. The candlelight shines on the black of her hair, coloring it the blue of a hot flame. She blushes and looks down at the table. There’s a bottle of wine, a plate of bread, and a large plate of spaghetti placed between them.

A plate to share.

The scene of those two darn dogs, slurping up the spaghetti and kissing, hits me. This is a seduction scene, no doubt about it.

I catch the look on Gavin’s face and alarm bells go off in my mind. I know that look. He gets it right before he’s about to do something horribly self-destructive.

Whenever things are going well in his life and it looks like he might succeed, be happy, or come out on top, he gets this look and does something to sabotage it all. This look is the precursor to every school expulsion, failed business venture, and ruined relationship in his life.

Dang it all.

Jessie glances up at him and the light flashes on the beading of her dress. Gavin’s eyes dip to the low vee showing off her… I swallow… her breasts.

Dang it all to hell.

I unclench my fists and walk forward, grabbing an empty chair on the way.

“Gavin. Jessie. Funny running into you too. Mind if I join?”

Gavin tears his eyes from Jessie’s chest. He looks at me and his brow wrinkles in confusion.

“Uh, hey Will…um, no?”

“Yes,” Jessie says at the same time. “Yes, we do.”

“Great. Thanks,” I say. I situate my chair across from Jessie and drop into it. The table is meant for two, it’s a tight fit.

Jessie’s red lips purse together. I remember in old cartoons they’d make steam blow out of characters’ ears with a train whistle sound when they were really mad. I never understood that graphic until now. Jessie literally looks like there could be steam coming out of her ears.

I grin at her.