Chapter 36

"Is that all I am to you?" I asked, jokingly.

"Shut up," Jess said. "You’re the love of my life. You know that."

I pulled her close to me and looked her in the eyes.

"I love you," I said.

"I know," she retorted with a smile.

Friday lunch to close out the work week had become a thing for our foursome. We rotated, each week one person picking the venue, and we would meet once Kat and Rita got off work, usually about 12:30. It was the perfect way to kick off the weekend, and this week was no different. It was also my turn to pick the restaurant.

My favorite trendy bistro had become a little drab, in part because the general manager had split off to open his own place. It was a strikingly similar restaurant but was desperate to attract its competitor’s crowd. Walking in with three beautiful women, two of whom were on a billboard less than a mile away, made it no surprise that our table was in the cente