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The aromas coming from the kitchen were overwhelming in the best way possible. Even though it was spring, the smells might as well have come from a holiday kitchen. Welcoming was the word that came to Caleb’s mind.
“All right, Mr. Carter. If you’ll follow me.”
They were seated at a cozy table for two. Despite being at near capacity, the restaurant wasn’t overly loud, which would make for easy conversation.
“Here’s this evening’s menu.” The host handed over two planks that had paper secured by twine at the corners. “If you know you want the butterscotch pie for desert, I recommend preordering. And the apricot pan-seared-scallops appetizer is also moving fast.”
“We should definitely start with those scallops. Pie too?” Caleb looked to Aaron.
Aaron’s expression said Caleb was crazy for even asking. “For sure.”
“Can you please put that in for us?” Caleb smiled at her as he made the request.
“I’d be happy to. Javi will be your server, and he’ll be with you in a moment.”
After the host left, returning to her post at the front of the restaurant, Caleb focused again on Aaron. “I’m glad we got here before anything sold out. I haven’t even read the menu yet, and I already know this is going to be good.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be an easy choice.” Aaron’s gaze darted across the offerings listed. “It all sounds incredible.”
Caleb was stunned as he read the fine print at the bottom of the evening’s selections. “No way.” He winced at how loud that came out, but he was surprised by what he’d read. “Nate Granger owns this place? And is the chef?”
Aaron laughed as some of the people around them went back to their meals. “New York hockey player makes scene at local restaurant, news at eleven.”
Caleb joined in the laughter. “Sorry. But wow. Nate, really?”
“Yeah. You know him?”
“Of course. We were in homeroom together for years.”
“That’s right. I forgot he was in your class.”
Their waiter approached and set two glasses of water on the table.
“Good evening, gentlemen, I’m Javi.” The young man said before doing a double take. “Wow, Caleb Carter is at my table. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Caleb nodded. “Nice to meet you, Javi. Rangers fan?”
“No, sir. To be honest, I’m a Sabres guy, but the way you move the puck so smoothly through traffic is incredible.”
“Thanks.” Caleb smiled, stood, and shook Javi’s hand. “I get liking Buffalo. I was the same when I was growing up here. Practically the hometown team.”
“Yes, sir. Exactly. We should get on to what you’d like for dinner. I saw that you’ve ordered an appetizer and desert. Anything else to start with, or just on to the main course?”
“Excuse me, Javi.” A man in a burgundy-colored chef’s jacket came up behind him. “I had to see if it was true that Caleb Carter was actually in my restaurant.”
Caleb smiled. “Nate, good to see you, man.” The two shook hands before pulling each other into a back-slapping hug. “I can’t believe this place is yours. I thought after graduation you’d be headed off to be some sort of science wizard.”
Nate nodded and shrugged. “Two years and I realized I hated it. What I loved was cooking. I cooked for my frat brothers almost every night. I dropped out, pissed off my parents, and went to Paris to study at Le Cordon Bleu. Bounced around a few restaurants Stateside before I decided to come home and open my own place.”
“Congratulations. My sister raves about it. Aaron and I are already having trouble deciding what to order because it all sounds so good. Oh, do you know Aaron Price?”
“Good to see you. Welcome to my place,” Nate said, shaking Aaron’s hand before turning back to Caleb. “How are you even here? Shouldn’t you be playing somewhere?”
“He’s injured,” Javi chimed in before Caleb could. “He’s looking to get back before the first game of the playoffs.”
Everyone looked at Javi, surprised.
“What? He’s on my fantasy team. It’s a thing,” he assured them as another server brought out their appetizer.
