Having downed two glasses of wine and only a few bites of salad after a hearty round of shooting hoops, the wine was having effects on Alex's judgement.  This added to the angry rebellion welling in his heart towards the love he just shed, he didn't think twice of his offer to this absolute stranger.   The guy seemed decent enough.  Besides, how bad could a guy who does business in here be?<br/><br/>The appetizers arrive as Anthony was accepting his offer.  He nodded to Anthony, but didn't really respond as he told the waiter not to bring the salmon but then turned the waiter to Anthony that Anthony could enjoy whatever main dish he desired.  He also asked that his bottle of red be delivered shortly as his wine was gone.<br/><br/>He was just settling back when Anthony's eyes gaze to the front of the restaurant.  His words were a polite asking about the state of his sudden singleness.  Alex just laughed.  “No, that is finished.”  He lifts the ring from his pocket and looked at it closely.  “Just saved myself from making the biggest mistake since the .com crash.”  He looks at the way the gem sparles in the light.  “You know...  I didn't do too badly during that fiasco either.”  He laughs and his face settles into a sideways smile.  “I haven't done too badly at all.”  His eyes show more than his words, but then, he is a salesman.  The only ones more skilled at selling a lie, might be Hollywood.  Might be.<br/><br/>Alex was fired up in many ways, but the company with him seemed to be a soothing presence.  Almost an anchor in a storm of anger and pain.  His smile would never waver, but his smile was only rivaled by that of The Joker.<br/><br/>He set the appetizers between then.  “Help yourself.  These are my favorite, Panchetta wrapped scallops, but I won't eat a whole plate.  No, the real dish is the steak and I've had my mouth set on this all day.”  Alex swallows a bit and licks his lips without meaning to.  Had he been with a client, his tongue would never have protruded unless she was flirting with him first.  He didn't seem to notice this oddity though as the wine arrived.<br/>