Chapter 23

Alan isn’t sure how to feel about that. “And now you’re bringing me. Hopefully things will turn out better tonight, is that it?”

With a laugh, Jim explains, “The food was excellent, the company was not.”

“So what do you recommend?” Alan frowns over the menu. “Something other than what your date ordered last time. No need for me to tempt the gods.”

He lets Jim order. They have an appetizer of curried oysters to start, followed by a local greens salad with blood orange vinaigrette. He didn’t know blood oranges were local, but he doesn’t say anything. Then there’s a pasta course, and Jim orders two different dishes for them to share—a seafood linguine in a spicy tomato sauce and a mushroom fettuccine in a garlicky béchamel. For the meat course, it’s two sautéed filet mignons in a green peppercorn and cognac cream sauce with a side of seared asparagus. Jim defers to the wine steward, ordering the recommended rosé that’s light and bubbly and pairs perfectly with every dish.