Gavin felt the hand on his thigh and wasn't sure whether he should smile or shut up. Deciding to do both, he poured himself half a bottle of wine.

"Wait... there's a menu?"

Chuckling, he drank deeply from his glass.

"We're at the Lexington Regency Hotel.  It's very nice.  I remember it was just being built around the time I left. They've done very well with it. Evidently, they are quite busy. The only room they had left was a suite, and it's immaculate. Lovely view of the city, too."

As the meal went on, everyone chatted happily. Elise would pipe in now and then, but seemed to be only barely picking at her food. After enjoying as much as she dared, Stella put down her fork and knife and took a sip of wine then gave Elise a knowing little grin.

"Oh, go on, enjoy yourself.  I'm sure you'll find plenty of people to turn you around the floor a few times.  Just save one for me, ok?"

As if she'd been freed from study hall, Elise beamed and nodded, then left her bag on her chair and sauntered out to the dance floor. The band was in full-swing, and before long, the buxom blonde was out of sight. Turning to Gavin and Isabella, she raised her eyebrows.

"And don't you two think you have to sit here and keep me company. I can't imagine you two get a date night very often.  Do get out there and dance."

"A great idea and point... we'll be right back."  Bella lifted her hand up from his thigh, bringing her scuffed up knuckles into view and taking hold of Gavin's hand - pulling him gently towards the dance floor.

Once out on the floor, she danced near to him, as they had on their last trip to LA so she could talk into his hear without anyone hearing.  "There was some women, in the bathroom, dealing cocaine produced here in South Philly and by someone who isn't on our payroll.  So I got no clue how dangerous the shit is."

She didn't pull any punches.

"Kassandra is cleaning up my mess... but you should know, Elise is high on it.  I didn't want to call it out at the table as her drug use obviously bothers Stella ... but Gavin I don't think we should let her out of our sight until we're sure she's going to be okay."

Gavin cursed under his breath as the adrenaline started to fight back against the alcohol.

He allowed himself a few seconds of selfish frustration. One night. One night to get pleasantly intoxicated with an old friend and drink with his wife. One. Fucking. Ni-

His thumb gently caressed Bella's wounded knuckles.

"I'm on it. Let's hope I'm not too rusty..."

Kissing his wife's wounded hand, Gavin winked and disappeared back into the crowd.

***

On the other side of the dance floor, Willy Lewis couldn't believe his luck. Only in town for one night on business, and look at his luck! The blonde vision in his arms... and the way she was moving. Tonight would be the greatest night of his life. Hell, he might even marry this girl if she-

A shoe pressed down against the back of his heel, freezing him in place as the blonde danced away from him.

"Wait! I-"

A strong arm shunted him to the side, and he found himself trapped behind another couple for a few moments. He saw an older man with short hair and serious blue eyes slide next to the blonde. She'd had one of her hands in the air, and the man had effortlessly grabbed it and spun her into a graceful foxtrot with a smirk. He saw the man lean in toward the young woman's ear and say something, and Willy frowned as her musical laughter rang out.

The blonde... no... HIS blonde... seemed to challenge the older man as the music sped up, walking towards him and stepping toward his feet, which he deftly kicked backwards, giving her a wry look. As they danced, Willy could only watch as the two of them seemed to stop reacting to the other and started anticipating. After one particularly skillful sequence of perfectly shifting feet which made the girl laugh with delight and rise her hand for a moment to the back of the man's head, Willy gave up and returned to the bar, knowing he'd always remember the one who got away. 

Bella settled in beside Stella watching as Gavin danced away with Elise.  "There was a time in my life when I wasn't so different from her.  I've grown up a lot since then... but things could easily have gone a bad way for me.  I guess I was lucky to find Gavin the way she's lucky to have you."

Bella forced a smile.

"You should know that you're right... she's enjoyed some party favors tonight and they weren't cooked up by any of our friends despite being given to her right here in the ladies room.  I'm very sorry that she wasn't safer under my roof.  Family shouldn't have to worry about safety when they're with us, but I promise you, I'm going to find out who made it and they will pay for coming into my home and giving her that shit."

She sighed as she watched Gavin dancing around the room with a girl who had FAR too much energy for even a woman her age, "I think Gavin's intent on trying to keep her out of harm's way until she comes down." 

She looked at Stella and gave her a reassuring smile, "I'll hang out with you until she does."

Though Bella's words didn't come as a shock, Stella was none-too-pleased to hear the news. Her eyes followed Elise for a few moments as she trotted around the dance floor with Gavin, her expression somewhat neutral.

"Please, don't even think about apologizing to me. Despite the way she acts, she is an adult and takes her own risks; stupid though they may be. Anyway, at least she managed to root out some trouble for you. We'll just be glad for that."

Sitting back, she thought for a moment about Bella's words.

"It's true for me as well. I was young and much more of an idiot than I like to admit. Gavin managed to save me from my own risks more than once, and I'm thankful for that. Though, I never did any hard stuff.  Intentionally, anyway."

She looked over at Bella and briefly put a hand on top of hers.

"I am really happy to have met you, Isabella. I knew I'd like you, the way Tara spoke about you.  I like smart women. I hope you and I will remain friends even after I return to Sicily."

Bella turned her hand and squeezed Stella's, looking into her eyes, "Anyone who as is dear to Gavin and Tara as you are, is dear to me too." 

She gave her a smile.

"We'll get to know each other and grow closer over time... I'm sure."  

She looked then out to Gavin and Elise, not letting Stella's hand go yet, "You may be one of the few people who's always seen him as I do  Even Tara couldn't say that when I first met her, and she's his twin."  She admits and then shrugs.  "That has to say something about the sort of people we are, right?"

She looked back to Stella, "I suspect we would have been friends, even without him introducing us." 

Her laugh slowed and smirking she asked Stella, "So, not to make things weird or anything - please feel free to refuse on the ground of being uncomfortable or just being polite, but in the interest of getting to know you more, would you like to share Gavin stories?  I mean... we do have a whole bottle of wine left and it could be hours before Elise either comes down or Gavin finally wears out."

It took Stella a bit by surprise how gracious Isabella was. Maybe all the nerves Stella had built up about being an "ex" were just her thinking too hard. She nodded in agreement of Isabella's assessment of their likely friendship. 

Eyeing the bottle of wine, Stella drew her attention away from Gavin and Elise and chuckled. 

"Knowing Gavin, Elise will give in first. If not from exhaustion, from those ridiculous heels she's wearing." 

She started to recall a story to kick things off, then stopped and shook her head.

"This is absurd. Gavin shouldn't have to babysit my date. You two should be enjoying each other. I should deal with this. Besides, it'll give me a chance to try out the new stick."

With a wink  Stella stood. 

"I won't be long."

Gracefully as if she were dancing herself, Stella weaved through the crowd and approached the pair. 

"Mind if I cut in?" 

She gave Gavin a reassuring nod. 

"I'll let you know if I need you."

Mind if I cut in?

For a split second, acting on reflex and instinct, he started to step forward to take Stella into his arms and dance. Then, realizing that this was a rare situation where one woman was not replacing the other, he winked at Elise and nodded to his old friend. Gavin vanished back into the crowd, soon returning to the chair next to his wife, who he looked at with bemusement.

"Well... she's a handful, huh?"

As he waited for her to respond, he kept a close eye on Stella and Elise- both because he wasn't sure how well Stella could move around and his concern for Elise.

"Yes."  Bella said, also watching the couple, speaking in a hushed tone for her husband's ears alone.  "I can see what you saw in Stella and what Elise sees too ... but if she's not careful, Elise may lose something she'll later miss."

Bella shook her head.

"Makes me think about what would have happened if we'd met in a different time of our lives - how easily we might have just been one wild weekend in Montreal."  She reaches over and takes Gavin's hand.  "But who knows, maybe Stella will reel her in and away from the wild party girl lifestyle the way you did me."

She smirked at Gavin knowing full well he was every bit, likely more, of a hedonist that she was - but it was funny to crack wise that he'd been the responsible one.  After all, it was she who was on a suicidal bender around the time they met... not him.

"I told her what happened with Elise in the bathroom so she's aware.  I think we should draw as little attention to it as possible now.  Provided she's manageable we'll just do what we can to make sure Stella's night is a good one.  I doubt Elise will remember much of it tomorrow."

She looked back out to the dance floor at the couple, "Can I you why it wasn't her?  I mean, did you know she preferred the company of women or something?"

Gavin leaned back in his chair, the combination of superfluous alcohol and physical exertion making him a bit more sluggish than usual.

"Think I agree with you, about Elise losing something she'll later miss. Fun girl... but she just doesn't seem smart enough to keep up with Stella. Which I know is kind of silly for me to say, considering we dated when I couldn't even read... but whatever, you know what I mean. Maybe. They seem like they're pulling in two different directions- but like you said, you never know."

Can I ask you why it wasn't her?

Gavin frowned.

"It's hard to say. It's the only one that's hard to say, in retrospect."

Bella recognized the point where Gavin would normally stop talking, but on this evening the combination of wine and exertion pushed him past that. He poured another glass of wine and spoke, Bella refusing to interrupt as Gavin was in the middle of one of his rare long ramblings. 

"Who can say? There were four of you at the time: Madeline, Evelyn, Stella, and you. Madeline and Evelyn are a bit of a different story; I ended things with them once I'd decided that you were the right decision."

"Madeline is... was... the closest I ever came to meeting a female version of myself; a fucked up past buried with a penchant for hedonism, debauchery, and cash. I fucked that up when I told her about you and I. What happened with me getting attached to you- the same thing happened with her to me... and I didn't even know it, because I was too fucking dense. I'll always feel guilty about that. I walked into her office thinking I'd walk out as her best friend, but I broke her fucking heart. I told her about us, and I said the words before I could really see the look in her eye. She was fine. Strong as hell and didn't need any man, including me. But I know how much I hurt her, and I always wonder if things had happened differently... not that I made the wrong choice, but if there was something I could have said in that room or some other path I could have walked where I could have my life now but have kept her as a friend."

He closed his eyes for a moment.

"She got killed a few weeks ago, out in Vegas."

Gavin was silent for a while, then he initially grinned as he saw another face from his past... although that grin quickly faded.

"Evelyn... you knew her. She was in your face, my face, everyone's face. I met her when she was tending bar... she was just fun, ya know? Came after me with a knife when I told her I wasn't coming around anymore, but she was a friend, after. Business partner.  Until... you know."

Gavin took a long drink, remembering the serial killer he and Bella had hunted down in Chicago- but not before Evelyn had been killed. Revenge wasn't much of a consolation to replace the smile she'd usually worn. 

"Stella... that was different. She was working in Vegas, managing an escort company; we just sort of clicked. I probably spent more time with her than I did with every other woman I met those years put together. She had a couple businesses on the Pier and was in Philly all the time. We're different people, but we just matched up real well. Had a ton of fun- helped each other through some rough shit..."

He grinned.

"... honestly, it was mostly me pulling her ass out of the fire, but she sure helped me too. Well, eventually she got in trouble over in Sicily; Ligambi had had her take someone out in Vegas, and the target's family wound up getting a photo of her. She was in Sicily hiding out when they found her. She'd put a small group of bodyguards together to defend the villa she was at; I showed up to help as well. I killed a bunch. Had taught her to shoot, and she killed three. She had a rat, though. I tried to save her but she..."

Gavin's eyes blinked for a moment before the focused blue returned. 

"She caught a bullet. Thought she was dead. Nicked her spine and they weren't sure she'd walk again. My fucking fault, no matter what she says. I was in charge of the defense... and some things worked, but I failed. Never saw the rat coming. I should have tried to handle things myself, taken down the target and not bottled us up."

He shook his head, trying to chase away his anger before it boiled up.

"Well, it was safer for her in Sicily. She needed somewhere to heal- a new, less dangerous life to live. With her being so hurt, living halfway around the world... I dunno... we said we'd see each other soon... but I hadn't seen her since. I gave her a knife. She gave me a silver pocketwatch with my initials. I wore it for a while, but it kept getting loose whenever I'd get punched or run around. We exchanged letters, but you know how it is being away from someone..."

He sighed, finishing his wine.

"Shortly after I came back from Sicily, I went to get some ice cream on the Pier... and you know the rest. But Stella was the only person I'd been close to where it just kind of fell apart on its own. Everyone else..."

Gavin flashed his first genuine smile in a while as his arm crept around his wife.

"Well, Chicago happened. Picnic table near a river. Everything changed after that..."

It was one of the longer speeches Bella could remember, and Gavin didn't even seem to realize it as he squeezed her shoulder and filled his glass again with his free hand. He glanced out at the dance floor, keeping an eye on Stella and Elise, but relaxed comfortably next to his wife, who'd recognized one of his rare gregarious moods. If she had more she wanted to hear from him, this certainly seemed like an opportune time. 

Elise chatted from the moment Gavin gave Stella her hand. Thankfully, the band had begun to play an easy, slow song and couples all around were in each other's arms. Stella listened to Elise, halfway, but was mostly watching her eyes and thinking about the future.

"He is a nice dancer.  And very good looking man, too. Why ever did you let him get away?"

She went on for most of the song, and despite the tempo of the song, tended to be moving more quickly. Stella carefully kept up, not hesitating for a moment to let her new cane help keep the balance. When Elise finally seemed to take a breath, Stella interjected.

"I hope you've enjoyed this trip. I know my pace seems a bit slower than you're used to back home."

Not really replying with more than a nod and a distant giggle, Elise twirled herself around. Stella sighed softly and continued to try and keep up with her.

"I'd like some coffee.  I think you could use some, too."

"Aw, but you just got here to dance with me! I know what you need.  There are these two girls- I bet I can find them- and they have something that will perk you right up. It is like fireworks without even going outside."

Elise grabbed Stella's hand as if she were going to lerad her off the dance floor, but Stella remained where she was, tugging the young woman back a bit. Her face was not so soft as usual, but quite stern instead.  She put her free arm around Elise's waist and pulled her in as if they were dancing closely, and whispered to her.

"No, Elise. You've already taken a terrible risk with whatever you've been taking. I don't mind a hit for fun now and then, but you're playing a bit too fast and loose. Now, let's go and have some coffee with our friends, hm?"

The young woman stopped dancing and squinted her eyes a bit at Stella. The pitch of her voice heightened noticeably, and she switched to Italian.

"You are not my mother! Though sometimes I wonder, the way you act! You should live a little!"

With that, Elise pulled away and strode off the dance floor. Stella followed calling back to her in fluent Italian.

"And where are you going?"

"Back to the hotel for a drink! I can find my own ride."

Rather than going any further, Stella just sighed and watched her go. There was no reason to help her make a scene. Instead, Stella returned to the table on her own. Gavin and Isabella were enjoying a glass of wine. Returning to her seat, Stella pushed her glass toward Gavin.

"Elise has chosen to retire for the evening back at the hotel. I saw her into a cab; no worries."

Part of her was frustrated, but in another way, she was much more relieved to be able to spend more time with Gavin and Isabella alone.

"Ah, Isabella, has Gavin ever told you the story about the Statue of Liberty tour and the runaway motor boat?"

She flashed a grin at Gavin.

Gavin just shook his head and grinned, focusing on his wine. It was a rare night of indulgence, and he planned to enjoy himself, although he was seemingly as intoxicated by the fact that one of his old friends was alive and here with him than the wine.

Although, to be fair, there was a lot of wine involved.

"You'll tell it better, I'm sure."

Bella had watched Elise heading for the door.  She made eye contact with Kassandra and gave her a nod.  The woman, she knew, would put one of her eyes on tailing the cabbie to ensure Elise did get where she was going safely.  After that though, it would be on her.  Bella silently prayed the woman slept it off and all was well.  There was little else to be done for her now.

As Stella began to talk about a happier time, something that sounded like one hell of an adventure, she immediately reconnected with her companions and smiled.  "Oh this should be good."  She said pouring a glass.  "Leave nothing out!"

"It was just supposed to be a simple tour of the Statue. I'd always wanted to go to the top, and the opportunity finally presented itself. But, of course, nothing can ever be that simple."

Stella continued the story, only pausing when the waiter brought a tray of elegant looking cheesecake. It was fun to talk about the old times, even though she was younger and considerably more naive.

Laughing, she wrapped up the story and put down her fork. 

"So, Gavin just ran the boat aground on the beach. What else were we going to do? We effectively stole someone's boat, no idea who it belonged to. I've often wondered if the owner ever found it." 

With a contented smile, Stella sat back and put the linen napkin onto the table.

"This has been absolutely wonderful. I could stay and talk all night, but unfortunately I've got a plane to catch tomorrow morning. When will you two be leaving for the old country?" 

​​​​​​

Gavin sighed.

"I still don't know how to drive a boat. It was really great to see you tonight, Stella. Give us a couple months to get things settled here, and then we should be able to make it out. If that works for you?"

"I'm sorry you don't have more time!  I feel like we've barely gotten a chance to talk & get to know each other.  I'm going to be looking forward to our visit with you so much.  Please know that you'll always have a place here in Philly - you're like family to us."

Bella gave Stella a hug.

"Will you at least let one of our people take you back to your hotel instead of a cabby?  Gavin will rest easier if you do and I will too.  Plus you'll be doing us the favor of forcing us to stay out just a little longer which is a rare treat for us as you clearly understand."  Bella chuckled.

"Well in that case, how could I refuse?"

Stella embraced Isabella firmly, genuinely very happy that they had met. Before she pulled away, she gently whispered.

"I'm so very glad that you found each other. I wish you so much happiness."

Next, she hugged Gavin as the car pulled up to the curb.

"You take care of that pretty lady. And you two are always welcome at my home. I will have such a wonderful retreat ready for you when you arrive!"

Careful not to step on the tail of her dress, Stella got into the back of the waiting car, then waved to Gavin and Bella once more as it rolled away. She gave a satisfied sigh and watched the buildings and lights go by as the car drove toward the Lexington Regency Hotel. The night had been perfect, despite Elise's childish display. Again, her mind wandered- could she really expand the winery business and efficiently run things from the US? 

Stella opened the door to the hotel suite and flipped on a lamp. Elise was sprawled on the couch, half dressed, and snoring. There was an empty bottle of champagne on the coffee table and a pair of men's wingtip shoes lazily tossed on the floor. Strangely, there was no man in the suite. Rather than being cross, Stella just rolled her eyes and chuckled. Twenty four seemed so long ago. For Stella, it wasn't years that had aged her, but trials. Elise, she suspected, would not have the same sort of education. Her life was far too charmed and easy. A pretty girl, but Stella could see the end of this little fling fairly clearly. There was more to focus on now than companionship.