Everything & More (Book 1 in the E.C.N Series)

Chapter 83 - Ryan

I looked around my house letting the emptiness settle in. Her and Paige made that house feel like a home. Coming back to no one was depressing. My house wasn't cold by many standards there just wasn't any life in here. For all intensive purposes it was a bachelor pad. I was a man of necessity and I had what I needed.

Slumping onto the couch and letting my body relax finally let today sink in. Martha had asked when did I come to the decision to step down. She wanted to know it wasn't solely because of her. Honestly it wasn't, I thought back to the business meeting I had with Mateo at the beginning of the week. Garrett and I went to a restaurant to meet him.

Earlier that week.....

My hand smoothed out the linen on the table primarily focusing on ironing out any creases I was seeing.

"Would you stop that?!" Garrett whispered harshly.

We were sitting at an Italian restaurant an hour out of town that Mateo chose for this meeting because it was his favorite. The privacy section in the back was specifically reserved for us to speak candidly when it came to business. Garrett looked as nervous as I felt. Sitting across from me adjusting his tie for the fifth time.

"How about you stop adjusting your damn tie? Anymore and you're going to choke yourself." That caused him to drop his hand and gather himself sitting up a little straighter.

Garrett was nodding looking at the entrance to the private section. Mateo had instructed us to be here at 7:00 pm sharp. We got here at 6:30 pm.

I looked at my watch and it read 6:55 pm. Mateo was never late so at this point it was just a waiting game.

"It's gonna be fine?" Garrett said still looking at the only exit available to us.

"Are you asking me or telling me?" To say the guy wasn't comforting me was an understatement. I knew what this meeting was about. Mateo wanted to know if I spoke to Haufman and Levine putting their concerns at ease and signed the papers to move us forward. The problem was I only did half of that and I'm not even sure if that conversation with Jonathan counted.

His eyes widen, "N-no I'm telling you, it's gonna be fine."

"Why are you nervous? I'm the one that has to ask him."

"You know as a bystander I get uncomfortable for others. It's call vicarious embarrassment." A nervous smile appeared.

"I don't care what it's called, calm the fuck down you aren't helping!" Just as Garrett was about to retort the sound of Mateo talking to the hostess filled the room.

The curtain was pulled back ever so slightly to allow him to walk in first. Garrett and I were on our feet in an instant to greet him.

"Thank you darling. Oh and I see the boys got here early. I like what I see." Mateo came and shook both of our hands before gesturing for us to sit down.

The hostess placed the menus in front of us, "We have a few specials today the chef made them specifically for your visit sir."

Mateo smile gratefully at her, "Well we don't want to be rude now do we?" He said looking around at us expectantly. We nodded in agreement. "Perfect let's eat!"

~~~~~~

All I knew was the food looked decadent. As the three of us made small talk the hostess came back as if they already had the food made and ready. "Gentlemen the chef has prepare three specials, we have the Ricotta and egg yolk ravioli with aged balsamic." The group of servers places the first plate in front of us. "Next we have Blue fin tuna tartar," the next set of plates were placed down, "and finally Lobster Fra Diavolo." The final plates were set beside the others.