Chapter 8

Alex’s eyes darkened as he scanned the crowded restaurant. Then he looked at Cyn for a moment. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Mr. Paffuto and my dad play bocce together down at the Italian club.”

Cyn looked at him, disbelievingly. “What? That’s not it.”

“No. There is more.” Alex took a deep breath and paused dramatically. “They’re also very good friends.”

In a serious tone of voice, Cyn whispered back, “Oh, Alex!” Cyn took a deep breath and paused dramatically. “I had no idea that you were such a dick.” Then, faster than he could react, she flicked her fingertips at his crotch.

He flinched, but it was too late. “Hey!” Alex said in a hoarse whisper, “You have to be careful around there! Things are very sensitive!” Cyn smiled at the handful of people staring at them. Patting Alex’s arm, she told them, “He’s fin. He’ll be just fine.”

A couple of minutes later, they were shown to their table and after they were seated and the host left, Alex apologized. “Sorry. I was just fooling around.”

“I thought you and your family were involved in some sort of organized crime thing,” she told him. “Why is your dad called ‘The Bullet?’”

“It’s a bocce term. The target or something is called ‘the bullet’ ball.” Alex looked across the table at Cyn and made a mental note to never piss her off. “They’re just good friends. A few years back, Mr. Paffuto had some issues with plumbing and was going to be shut down and my dad was a huge help with some things. That’s all.”

“Well, you scared me.” Cyn looked at him, her eyes shifted back to soft and caring. “How’re your nuts?”

“Fine. I just wasn’t expecting it.”

Smiling, Cyn told him, “I am a master of the element of surprise. But don’t worry, I won’t slap your balls around anymore.” She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Unless you want me to...?”

“No. I’m good.”

She shrugged. “Your loss.”

They both enjoyed a delicious dinner and the head chef came to their table after with complimentary gelato. As they were finishing their dessert, Mr. Paffuto stopped by their table to ask how everything was and to tell them that their dinner was already paid for. They thanked him profusely and as they got up to leave, Cyn noticed Alex surreptitiously tuck a folded up bunch of twenties as a tip under the edge of his dessert plate.

“So, off to the movies,” Alex said, holding the car door for Cyn. “Anything you want to see?”

“Whatever.”

As Alex got into the driver’s seat and started the car, he told her, “It’s your decision.”

Cyn asked, “Pick a number between one and ten.”

“Five.”

“Okay. We’ll see whatever movie is playing on screen five.”

Alex laughed. “You are an interesting woman, Cyn.”

She laughed with him. “You don’t know the half of it!”

After they purchased tickets, Alex asked if Cyn wanted anything for the movie.