Chapter 14 - THE TABLE WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
A year after the fire, the Brass Rail reopened under new ownership.
The interior had been restored.
New booths.
New lighting.
A better kitchen.
And, most importantly, a menu without the terrible veal.
Harper and Vincent returned on opening night.
They sat at table four.
Harper looked around.
“Hard to believe.”
Vincent smiled.
“What?”
“That this is where you terrified everyone.”
“I still terrify people.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“You're wearing a sweater with a tiny dog on it.”
Vincent looked down.
“Luca gave it to me.”
Harper laughed.
He smiled.
Then grew serious.
“Harper.”
She looked up.
“I want to thank you.”
“For what?”
“For treating me like a man instead of a monster.”
Her expression softened.
“You were never only one thing.”
He looked down.
“I did things I'm not proud of.”
“I know.”
He swallowed.
“I can't erase them.”
“No.”
She took his hand.
“But you can choose what kind of man you become next.”
Vincent looked at her.
May you like
Then smiled.
“I think I'm finally learning.”
