Impractical Assistant

Chapter 11: The Man who Pays the Tab

Joe couldn't believe his eyes. This definitely couldn't be the same girl they met in the airport less than a day ago. She was in jeans and a t-shirt with ink stains on her hands and her hair mussed up. He had a hard time believing that she was who she was this morning, let alone now. The transformations were impossible in Joe's mind as he gritted his teeth, staring at her dark hair, spiraled into ringlets across her shoulders. This isn't Lilly, he thought to himself. This can't be Lilly. But as soon as her eyes turned onto him, he knew; it was Lilly. Her eyes widened, looking over the four of them with a smile. She looked back at Joe, eyes sparkling and winked at him. He smell of strawberries hit his brain in full force, even though he knew that he couldn't smell her from here. Another round of applause shattered him from his thoughts and he watched as Lilly moved away from David towards the stairs. Her decent was flawless, gliding down the stairs with a delicate hand on the railing. Joe moved from his spot, following her as if an invisible force was pulling him along to meet her in the path. Her eyes locked with his, twinkling brightly in the lights. She reached the bottom of the steps and reached for his hand that was extended towards her.

"Mr. Gatto," Lilly said with a smile, as he pulled her to his side.

"Ms. Alexander." He nodded to her gently. "You're stunning."

"And you're too charming," she teased, beaming in return. She bit her lip nervously. "Is it too much? I'm concerned it's too much."

"You look amazing," Joe insisted as Sal, Murray, and Q appeared around them as well.

"Well I'll be damned," Q whistled. "Far cry from the Lilly we first met."

"I don't know if that's a compliment or an insult," Lilly laughed, brushing a stray curl from in front of her face.

"From Q, that's definitely a compliment," Murray said, holding out his hand. He took hers gently, before dropping a kiss onto it. "And you definitely are the most beautiful thing in the room."

"Dude," Sal rolled his eyes as Lilly giggled.

"What?" Murray looked back at him.

"That's so creepy," Sal grasped Lilly's hand in his and folded her arm into his. "C'mon babe. Let get as far away from him as possible." Lilly's laugh cascaded around them as Sal led her away from the group. Joe glowered at Sal as he passed by. If Sal noticed Joe's look, he didn't say anything or even give any indication that he knew what Joe was thinking. "So you used my full name, huh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lilly said with a smile, waving to a guest who had signaled her from across the room.

"Sal is so much easier," he grumbled light-heartedly.

"But Salvatore is so much more fun to say," Lilly purred while waving at another person.

"You're killing me here," Sal groaned, tightening his grip on her arm. "That dress, the way you say my name." He hesitated, staring at her as she scanned the room. "Seriously, Lilly. You look gorgeous."

"Thank you Sal," Lilly blushed, the color of her cheeks beginning to match the shade of her dress. "That's very kind of you."

"Just telling you the truth," Sal smiled back at her. He was knocked off balance by Joe shoving into his shoulder as he passed by the pair. Lilly caught him with her free hand, pressing it into his chest and keeping him upright.

"Is he always like this?" Lilly asked as he stood up, scowling.

"No. There's something about you that just-"

"Me?" Lilly pulled away from him. "Does he not like me? Should I not stay around you?"

"It's nothing like that," Sal shook his head, pulling her back into him. "If anything it's the opposite."