So although we’re not best buddies, he is someone that I trust. As far as I trust anyone.
He drains his glass and my eyebrows lift. He’s not a heavy drinker and he seems nervous about something.
“How have you been?” he asks.
Shrugging, I take another sip and then sit my glass on the table, nodding at my papers spread all over the damn place. “As good as I can be, I guess. It’s a heavy learning curve. I’ve never run a restaurant before.”
“Sure. I’m sure it’s tough trying to jump into something new.” He stops talking again, staring down into his empty glass like he’s trying to read tea leaves.
“What the hell is going on with you, man? Are you just gonna sit there and stare into your glass or are you going to tell me what the hell is on your mind?”
“I can’t tell you everything.”
My chest constricts and my eyes dart to the door like I’m expecting someone to come busting in the door. “That’s not what I mean, Kane. It’s kind of someone else’s story to tell. I just need to find out if you might be up for doing something a little different. Personally I mean.”
“Personally? Like with a date or something?”
“Humph!” He snorts. “Something like that, I guess.”
“Interesting. I’m not sure that I’m looking to start dating. I’ve got a lot going on with the business. It’s an overwhelming job trying to start a new restaurant.”
“How’s it going?” He looks around and smirks at the empty restaurant. I eye the decor proudly. It looks just like what I thought of when I pictured it in my head.
Satin white walls mixed with bright landscapes and dark wood tables. The deep burgundy tabletops are topped with sparkling, heavy leaded crystal glasses, shimmering white china dishes and gleaming silverware. The ceilings are dotted here and there with dripping crystal chandeliers that have glittering prisms of light flying all over the room in the sunlight.
“It looks good. I’m surprised you’ve managed to get it up and running this soon.”
I nod my head and grin wryly. “I worked my ass off. Half the stuff was done by me. Kept the cost down and then I didn’t have to wait on any other fucker’s to get the work done. A lot of it was on me.”
He laughs, throwing his dark head back, a grim sparkle in his green eyes. “Still the same old control freak, huh?”
Cocking my head, I smirk. “Considering my family, do you blame me?”
“Absolutely not, Kane. I just want to know if you would ever be willing to give up a little bit of that control for the good of a group.”
“What kind of group?”
“Just a small group. Four people.”
“I suppose I could if there was a good enough reason but it would have to be a damn good one, buddy. I like my individual comforts. I don’t like to find myself beholden to anyone.”
“I understand. This is something so unique that I can’t really explain it to you. But I’ve got a friend that wants to meet you. He’ll decide if you work with the group. If he thinks you’ll be compatible.”
“Why did you think of me?” I ask, leaning my arms on the table and yawning.
“You’re new to town but I know you. In addition, I know you’re a trustworthy guy.”
Snorting, I take another sip of my drink trying to stave off the exhaustion dragging at my body. It feels like I haven’t slept in weeks. My grand opening is in three days and I’ve still got so much to do that it’s scary as hell. “You don’t know me that well.”
“I know you better than you think.”
“Been checking up on me?” I chuckle.
“It’s my job. I checked up on you as soon as we met. There’s no way that I would have helped you if I hadn’t checked you out.”
“You’re a cold-hearted bastard, you know that!” I chuckle, slapping the table.
“Yep. It’s my job.”