I'd be willing to wager the cost of the Penne Mediterranean that he saw and recognized before you saw him. His insides probably went cold and something puckered. Then he focused his best "listen to the client like no one else exists' face and buckled down. If his face cracked, his wife would notice and then that's the conversation he for sure didn't want to have on the drive home.

Well written, a happy ending and hopefully, a good pasta!