It never ceased to get old, looking out on to the Washington skyline as if she had some claim to the city, sitting with her two best friends in the entire world- her family. It was moments like this that she refused to let herself take for granted, soaking everything in, almost unable to tear herself away from the view to look at the menu that had been placed in front of her. There was something magic to the atmosphere, a radiance that came from the sheer exclusiveness of it all- people aware that they were in on a secret.
“One exclusive restaurant at a time.” She laughed, as though there was anywhere else in the city that could be so picture perfect. Although the restaurant was exclusive and extravagant, reserved for the upper-echelon of the food society, she couldn’t help but already feel at home at the tucked away table. Though she could have been comfortable anywhere given the company. “I don’t know who could top this.”
She looked down for a brief moment to study the specialty drinks, eyes constantly trying to flicker back the view as though it could disappear at any moment. “Where do we even start?” Though she normally ordered a glass of wine in public, always finding it simpler than picking something she may or may not have liked. But given the menu in front of her she couldn’t imagine just shrugging and going with her safe bet. “Anything but gin.”
Tonight was one of Jamie Walsh’s rare nights off, and he had chosen to spend it with family. In recent months, tearing himself away from the White House had become quite difficult as the administration doubled down on energy reform. He was almost considering moving into his office for how much time he’d been spending there. Even now, sitting on the rooftop terrace with the best company he could imagine, Jamie’s thoughts wandered back to the work he’d left unfinished on his desk.
And yet, they hadn’t even ordered drinks and there was something intoxicating in the atmosphere. He looked at Gracie sitting beside him, and Justin sitting across from him, and smiled. Work could wait. The air was just cool enough that he was thankful for the herringbone sports coat he was wearing, buttoned across his chest over a black sweater. “The view is certainly… something,” Jamie said, and looked down over the National Mall, city lights glinting brightly off the reflecting pool like glass. It’s almost sweeter, he thought, that it’s a secret.
Jamie turned his attention to the carved wooden menu at Gracie’s prompting, eyes scanning over the different combinations of exotic ingredients. Anything but gin, his sister said, and Jamie smiled. He knew that. It was one of those facts about Gracie that he’d filed away in the back of his mind, along with her favorite color and her favorite TV show. ( Robin’s egg blue and Dawson’s Creek. )
He brought a finger to the menu as one in particular caught his eye. “Gracie, what do you think about the ‘Violet Royale’? Dom Perignon and Creme de Violette,” he said, and grinned, glancing between the two of them. “It’s a liqueur made from wild violets picked in the Alps. It only became available in the U.S. around ten years ago.” He would have opted for a beer in a dive bar, or a bourbon somewhere on Pennsylvania Avenue, but the circumstances demanded something more. “First round’s on me, by the way.”
“We’re just a bunch of lucky bastards aren’t we?” He takes a few seconds to take it all in. The view is gorgeous he must admit but shift his eyes to left just a tad more and by his side are two people he holds close to his heart.
The sight of the two of them looking over the menu reminds him of sitting across the table from his older brother and his mother. Not only did they remind of him of family, they practically were his family. Between twenty-odd years of being Jamie’s best friend and his weekly catch up sessions with Gracie would place them up there besides his mother with the most interaction he’s ever had with people. It may seem odd to anyone one else but between the three there was an inseparable bond.
He looks down at his own menu eyes running over the dozens of drink combinations. Some with Liquors he’s never heard of. Luckily for him their resident drink specialist was within arms reach. He places the menu back on his table and listens to Jamie explain ‘Violet Royale’. He rolls his eyes at Jamie when he offers to cover the drinks.
“Firstly Walsh, this entire things on me so don’t even think about reaching for your wallet tonight, this goes fro you too Gracie. Secondly, what should I go for, there’s too many options so you’re the final say here.”
