The Firehouse Grill

So, with a lump in my throat, a knot in my stomach, weakness in the knees and the beginnings of a tear in my eye I hugged this rock of a man back with all I had. We stood there for what seemed like days and as he let go he grabbed both sides of my face and leaned in and gave me a passionate kiss that also seemed to last forever.......All of a sudden I became very aware that the noise in the restaurant had subsided and all eyes were on the three of us......Chris was patting both of us on the back....which I thought, at the time, was a bit odd, but the reunion was classic..........and took my breath away for a few minutes......

I grabbed a chair from the next table and sat on the outside of the booth and just stared for a minute...in awe at what just happened......Matt just sitting there with that grin he had, complete with those dimples that drove me wild back in the day.....I turned and got Michelle's attention and she came over and I asked her to grab a nice bottle of Pinot Noir and bring it...and to please get word to Dylan to track JD down and send him over......

"What the hell...I mean....what are you doing here....I mean....I am blown away.....!?!?"

"Matt, I want to first introduce you properly to Chris Walker. Chris and I have been partners for about two years now - Chris is the Chief of Staff for the Lt. Governor's Office here in town"

"Chris, it is really nice to meet you....I gotta say I am just stunned right now....but welcome!"

"How...I mean...."

"Chill out buddy....I got your e-mail last week and it just so happened that Chris and his staff were going to be in town this weekend and I thought, what the hell....It would be great to see you and see what's happening in your world. I called and talked to your assistant the other day to see if there was still space to come in and I asked her not to say anything....she didn't really want to play at first...and I wasn't sure how much she knew about you and your past so I just turned on the old charm and convinced her"

"Wow...I am still just blown away"......"What a great surprise though I should proly kick her ass for it"

We all chuckled and about that time JD arrived at the table with that bottle of wine Michelle had opened for us....

"Gentlemen, JD Cavanaugh" as JD extended his hand to Chris and Matt

"Did you know about this?"

"Jenni had told me the other day that an old, old friend of yours was coming this evening and that it was supposed to be a surprise....I didn't ask for names but I assumed it was Matt since you had said last week you emailed him"

"Matt, it is really good to meet you, I have heard so much about you I feel like I have known you for years."

"Thanks JD....and this is Chris Walker, My partner....Chris works here in town for the Lt. Governor's office"

"Chris, really nice to meet you and welcome.... certainly hope this will be a place where we will see a lot of you in the future"

"Thanks JD...and I think it's the perfect spot to call my new hangout...."

"So, Matt" and with that we both looked at JD....everyone paused and chuckled......

"I guess we will have to go back to Matt 1 and Matt 2" when we are around

"JD, when Matt and I were dating we were always referred to as 1 and 2 when we were with friends or out and about"

"How did you decide who was 1 and who was 2"

Both Matt and I snickered a bit....I was not really wanting to admit why we came to that decision but Matt popped off

"Well guys, lets just say I was labeled 1 because of...er....well....a size differential"

The entire table burst into laughter, and I know I was 3 sheets of red at that point...but it was funny....and sadly, true

I felt it necessary to explain "1 and I were at a weekend retreat up in Sonoma...kind of a bear weekend at that resort on the Russian River. At one point while taking a dip in the pool some of the guys there were really confused because we were both named Matt....an old queen who was a regular at those retreats decided to name us based on the endowment....and now you know who's bigger....#1` over there"

JD cracked up....but recovered well by saying that I was number one in his book.......

Chris took the initiative to pour us each a glass of wine and said "Guys....here's to old times, memories, good friends...and the future"

We all clinked our glasses together....JD kissed me on the cheek....and I couldn't help but just grin at the way the evening worked out so far.

Over the course of the next couple hours Pam had sent out an amazing 4 course prime rib meal. I got up a couple of times to greet people on their way out and slowly the dining area was clearing. There was a considerable crowd hanging out in the bar area and we did notice that people were coming in off the streets to have night caps. Erik came over and asked if that was going to be ok and I said sure...we weren't planning on that to happen but it's good PR....I told him to put some of the sample menus out and let people know we would be open next week. "As long as you and Michelle and Dylan are willing to hang out I am ok with it"

It was clear during our time with Matt and Chris that they and JD were getting along. When I had a chance to think about it, I was a little concerned at how they would interact, but we are all big boys and things seemed to be just fine. There is me again worrying about shit I shouldn't.

"Hey 1, how long are you in town for"

"I had really only planned on being here for the nite but Chris is here all week so I think I will stay a few more days...I haven't been to town in quite a while so it will be nice to just kick back, relax and hang out with him.....He's gonna be busy during the days so what is your week like?"

"I think since tomorrow is Sunday and JD and I really hadn't talked about any plans...it might be a great day to go out to the lake....that is if We can use JD's boat?"

"Thats a great Idea 2....(even JD got into the hang of the 1-2 thing now).....Why don't we meet at Mag for breakfast and we will head out to the lake after....it might be a little crowded but at least we can spend the afternoon out there......and then we can BBQ at my place when we get back"

"That sounds great...are you talking about Magnolia Cafe for breakfast" Chris inquired

"Yep.....that’s my other spot.....I have owned Mag for a little over 2 years now"

"Damn....I eat breakfast there all the time....I had no idea that was yours....."

"We've probably seen each other there"

Dylan came up to the table and let me know that the last of the kitchen crew was out and would it be ok if Pam came over.....and could he lock the front and get outta here

"What...you got a date or something...in a hurry to get outta here"

"No date....but the clubs close in an hour and I don't want to waste this hotness"

We all laughed....I got up, shook Dylans hand and pulled him into a hug (an yes...still going commando...he must have planned it that way for the clubs), thanked him and pushed him on his way. "Thank God for that kid...he is amazing when it comes to keeping things running...much more than you would expect out of a Maître D"

The guys all shook their heads and Chris and Matt got up....indicating they should be headed out too..."Where are you staying....." "Chris has a nice little condo over by the capitol so it's just down the street a bit...we walked over here from there"

"Cool, cool...well then...how about Mag at about 8....does that work for you guys..."

"Thats good....we will see you then"

And with that the guys were off. I couldn't help but stare for a minute as they walked away. That guy still gets me going...in a way that is so different than how JD does...can't really explain it...it just is what it is I guess.

"Well #2, you handled that surprise pretty well....."

"I feel really awkward all of a sudden...I mean...I know I have talked with you about him...about what he meant to me at the time....but I still can't help but feel a little weird...the two of you getting along like that...."

"Well....I did have a couple of days to prepare myself....and trust me....On one hand it's really good for me to see that guy and to know what he meant to you...and to put a face to the name...and what a gorgeous face it is....Ha Ha"

"On the other hand....it did nothing but make me feel more secure with what we have....and also lets me know how important to me you are...I mean...yep...am I a bit jealous....who wouldn't be...have you seen that ass? Oh wait, you have!"

I laughed and just pulled JD into a hug.......I have been lucky enough to have two great guys in my life where most people don't even get that once!

"Mr. Lawrence.....I believe our car will be here shortly....can I interest you in a ride home"

"Yep Mr. Cavanaugh...I would like that...oh wait...gotta run and check in with Pam real quick...meet me out front"

"OK"

I wandered back into the Kitchen to check with Pam but she had already left...but she left me a note on the ticket wheel

"Boss, didn't want to barge into your reunion - just wanted to check in on how things went. Am going to help out at Mag in the morning so enjoy your day off and I will talk to you Monday.....P"

That was good....I wasn't sure I wanted to have any in-depth conversation tonite....and I am glad she is going to spend a little time at Mag...don't want Mag to become the bastard step child in all of this.

I went out the side door, checked to make sure the kitchen and front doors were locked and made my way out front to a waiting JD with the passenger door of the RX open. I jumped in and we were off. He asked if I wanted to stop at Theresa's for a night cap and I declined....

"Lets just go hit it...home"

"Hit it? You mean 3 times in a day"

"No putz.....I meant lets just head home....haha - now who is the man-whore?"

"Well...if there is one thing I have learned about you is that you want what you want...and if you are ready who am I to turn ole #2 down??"

"Ass"