Drayton's was a block off the busy Mass Street traffic, and on a warm midsummer Friday night, it was filled with people eager to relax and imbibe -- married couples who had wrangled babysitters for one evening's escape, groups of recent college grads flush with proper paychecks, professionals still in business suits letting deep glasses of wine loosen their neckties. This was not a place to bring kids, but it definitely was a place to bring a date.
Paul gave his name to the hostess, then paused. "Is there any way we could get a table on the outside patio?" He cut his eyes to Ace in time to catch a delighted smile.
"It might be a few minutes longer," the hostess warned.
"We'll wait," he decided.
They each picked up a glass of wine from the bar and settled into a plush loveseat in an ope
