37. It’s a Celebration!
Carla couldn’t hideher expression of surprise at finding Ben and Gia dining in the back room of Charmed to Table. “Uh… hi guys!” she exclaimed, walking toward the table for two. “Private party?”
“Something like that,” Gia said. “We are celebrating in a sense.”
“Oooh, celebrating, huh? Celebrating what exactly?” Carla asked, raising an eyebrow.
“A new partnership,” Ben chimed in, reaching over the table and squeezing Gia’s hand.
Carla squealed at the sound of the word partnership. “I knew you two were going to wind up together!” she blurted out, unable to contain her excitement. “You can thank me later!” She winked at Gia, grinning.
“Not that type of partnership,” Ben said with a groan. “A professional partnership. Welcome to Gia’s Charmed to Table!”
“Trial,” Gia interjected, “It’s only a trial.” Noting the confusion written across Carla and Matt’s faces, she added, “As it turns out, Ben owns this restaurant.”
Matt and Carla exchanged glances before shifting their gazes back to Gia and Ben. “What do you mean he owns the restaurant?” Carla asked.
“Cold Brew, too.” Gia shrugged. “A man of many secrets, it seems.”
“Benjamin, bro! You’ve been holding out on me,” Matt said. “All the time we spent together last night—and you left out the most interesting parts! So, uh… Could I get free food and coffee from this stellar new friendship?” Matt elbowed Ben playfully in the ribs.
Unaware of Ben’s prior evening with Matt, Gia threw a quizzical look in Ben’s direction. “It’s a long story,” he said as Carla rolled her eyes.
“Do you ever think about anything but food?” she asked, nudging Matt in his ribcage.
“I think we all know the answer to that question… Sometimes I think about sex, too.” Matt chuckled, wrapping his arm around Carla’s waist. “And how much I love my very beautiful, albeit meddlesome wife. So, Gia will be managing the restaurant, then?”
“We’ll see how it goes after a one-month trial partnership. In the restaurant, I mean,” Gia said, flustered over the resurfacing of the word “partnership” in connection with her and Ben.
“Among other things, I hope,” Carla muttered under her breath, smirking at Gia and Ben, who were still holding hands without either one even realizing it.
Gia jumped to change the subject to avoid further discussion about her and Ben and what they were, weren’t, would be, or could be. “Well, your timing is impeccable—even though you’re supposed to be home in an hour to collect my offspring at the bus stop. You’re off the hook for that, by the way. I’ll get home in time. Meanwhile, to celebrate this new development, we are treating you two to a complimentary sampling of the entire appetizer menu. You know, to make up for you losing out on your meal here the other day.”
“Drinks, too, of course!” Ben added.
“Oh, hell yeah!” Matt said, eyeing the dishes as a waiter began placing an array of platters on the bar surface behind them. “Those look amazing!”
“Well, they are,” Ben began, “but Gia and I are open to any suggestions to make them—or any other dishes—even better. Now, eat up!”
Together, the group walked over to the bar and began loading up their plates with different types of appetizers, including stuffed mushrooms, herb-marinated olives, local meats and cheeses, deviled eggs with fresh herbs, grilled vegetables with lemon juice, crostini with goat cheese and local fruit, and more.
“This all looks amazing,” Carla said. “I can’t wait to see what else you come up with, Gia. You’re such a great gardener and cook. I’m sure you have tons of ideas.”
“I knew Gia was the perfect woman for the job!” Ben smiled at Gia. “Now, let’s get some drink orders in before Gia heads home to get the kids. You guys are welcome to stay back here as long as you like. I’ll be sure you’re well taken care of—and whatever else you want is on me, of course. Just let the waitress know what you need.”
“Wow, this is delicious!” Carla said, chewing a thin slice of toast topped with fresh tomato bruschetta while reading the drink menu. “I think I’ll try the jalapeno pineapple margarita. That sounds like it’s right up my alley.”
“An excellent choice,” Ben said. “One of my favorites!”
“Make that two,” added Matt.
“Three,” Gia grinned, “but just one—then I have to go.”
“Well, may as well follow the crowd,” Ben said, stepping out to the main dining room, where the larger bar was located, to tell the bartender.
Gia
As Ben walked out of the back area of the restaurant to give their drink order to the bartender, Gia leaned in to whisper to Matt and Carla, who were still stuffing themselves with the restaurant’s entire offering of appetizers.
“You guys… I think… I think I’m falling for him.” Gia groaned, putting her head down into her hands. “And I don’t want to do that—especially now that his business is involved. Ugh!”
“Gia, for the love of God! This is your second chance with him. Stop worrying so much about all that could go wrong. For once in your life, start thinking about what could go right. He came back from a life of adventure to this boring, small town—potentially to be with you. He’s obviously been quite successful, to boot!” Carla said.
“It wasn’t to be with me,” Gia said. “At least, I don’t think it was. It couldn’t have been. There’s no way.”
“Gia, listen… it all lines up. Maybe this started because he wanted to be in Aiden’s life, but it sure looks like he is here for more now. He could have found someone else to put into your role in the restaurant, but he wanted you. He didn’t have to swipe right on your dating profile, but he did. He didn’t have to take you out on a date, but he did. For once, accept that this could be a good thing—a really good thing—and just let it play out.”
“Shush!” Gia said as Ben made his way back to the table. “He’s coming.”
“Alright, drink order is in. Jalapeno pineapple margaritas for all within five minutes!” Ben pulled a chair out at the table and sat, realizing his company had become silent on his return. “So, what were we talking about?”
“Nothing,” blurted Gia, Carla, and Matt simultaneously. Ben narrowed his eyes and glanced around the table, chuckling.
“Well, that’s very convincing, you guys. Okay, okay, I’ll leave you to your secrets. I get it. I’m the new guy. Or… the old guy who’s now new, or… you know what I mean,” Ben said, stumbling over his words. “So, what are the votes for the favorite appetizer so far?”
Carla pointed to her plate and, with her mouth full, mumbled, “Bruschetta, no question.”
“No. The mushrooms. The stuffed mushrooms are absolutely incredible,” Matt said as he popped one into his mouth.
“I can’t choose!” Gia said.
“Well, I’m glad they’re all good. And I know Gia will make them even better.” Ben squeezed her arm gently in reassurance. As the waitress arrived with their margaritas, he grabbed two off the tray. “Hey, Gia, can I talk to you privately for a second?”
Carla and Matt exchanged glances as Gia rose to follow Ben through a curtain leading to a room used primarily for restaurant storage