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The meal proceeded normally after this, with Gabriel serving them and the talks broaching different subjects. Gabriel kept reading the room every few minutes, focusing on some areas or others at various times as he kept an open read on the three people at his table.

Alex kept his more profound thoughts under lock, letting only surface thoughts about the food and ambience through. He knew Gabriel had caught on when he tried asking about something other than the food, and Alex replied perfunctorily.

His face had changed when he heard the same thoughts as before, Alex's mind not even wavering at the strange question he had asked.

Gabriel had asked him about what brought a nouveau-rich into his restaurant after the incident with his home invasion. He had played it off, saying it was all over the news, but Alex knew it was false.

Of course, he couldn't act fazed.