They've even got a band

I think we were led to a table the fastest and perfunctorily politest way possible. There's a certain level of desperation when somebody is trying to pretend they didn't just insult you and suddenly have to deal with that fact. As such the polite young server brought us to a table in a rather sparsely populated portion of the restaurant. The tables were all set so that you could easily see out of the huge picture windows which overlooked the ocean. The highway was far enough below that you could barely hear the sound of passing vehicles, and in fact the sound of the ocean was far more noticeable. Of course, all of that was secondary to the band, which played an unfamiliar dance number.

The only reason I assume it was a dance number was because a large number of people were standing in the middle of a dance floor and raising their hands in time and running around in a circle. Or something to that effect, I was more busy trying to figure out how the heck I was actually getting seated, and nervously waiting for a large man to show up and **** me. For some reason, I kept imagining Nikki's husband as big and intimidating, and I scanned the room trying to see someone who looked like a George.

Nikki settled into her seat with a practiced grace, her smile lighting up as she began waving to various people around her.

"Fortunately, on de Bride's side, we won't run into as many people I know." NIkki explained hurriedly. "If anybody asks you to dance, say yes, it's just easier."

"Dance?" I took in the sound of a bouzouki starting up as a group of patrons raised their hands together and cheered in time. I was actually surprised at how practiced it seemed, and the exuberant smiles spoke of celebration and ****.

"Ok, see that gal over dere..." Nikki pointed across from me, and I twisted in the seat to that she was pointing at an older woman with perfectly done hair and makeup. "Dat's my aunt Maria. Now, she's de mother of de groom."

"Ok, so this is your cousin's wedding party?" Maria smiled, enjoying the view. "Ok, I didn't expect to get invited to a wedding on a first date."

"No, de wedding's tomorrow. I thought dis was going to be over a few hours ago." Nikki explained. "Why I drove off... oh, and dere he is..." Nikki's eyes moved across the restaurant to settle on a small booth in the far corner.

"If I look at him, is he gonna try to kill me?"

"Nope, looks like he's on... maybe second bottle of wine. Gonna be at least one more, unless somebody breaks out the Ouzo. So... let's see. I figure it'll be at least another fifteen minutes before anybody notices I'm not sitting with George and asks questions." Nikki flipped open the menu. "Ugh, can't wait till tomorrow, when we actually get some good food. My aunts are all gonna be doing de cooking for de reception, and dey rented out the kitchen."

"So what... uh, is this? Seems like one heck of a party." Maria asked, taking in another shout of "Opa!" from the dance floor.

"Uh, you're not going to go over and..."

"Brent, I've been staring at him for the last two minutes, and he hasn't even looked up from his pad and paper. Take a look."

I turned as casually as I thought I could get away with. It's a lot harder to do while looking at a menu that resembles a electronics store as far as pricing and cell phone options go. However, I took in the booth she had indicated. It was one a good distance from the others, and in it sat an older gentleman and a guy who looked straight out of the corporate cookie cutter. Complete with the old school briefcase. While his tie was loosened, and the collar was undone, It seemed to be more from the length of time he'd been sitting than any actual attempt at being cool or leisurely.

The discussion between the two of them seemed to involve a lot of gesticulating, and a pencil being repeatedly tapped on the paper.

"Ooh, uhm, Maria. Quick tip, If you feel like driving home, don't touch those." Nikki cautioned our date as a server strode by with what looked like a tray full of water shot glasses.