I snickered. “And I’m not whipped, you got that?” I slapped his face, and he slapped mine.
“Yeah, right. You keep telling yourself that, kid.” Simon got to his feet. “It’s late, and it’s Christmas Eve. Go home, son. We’ll meet up to go over plans after the new year.”
“Sounds good.” I took the bottle and hid it in the back office.
Simon’s voice followed me across the kitchen. “We’re going to need a safe in there to hide the good stuff in it.”
“Put it on your list.” I tossed him the keys. “Oh, and get copies made, partner.”
“You’re making me a partner?”
I half shook my head. “I admit, I had to give it some thought, Simon. After everything that happened with you, I’m reluctant to give you too much of the pie. But since you’ve sorted yourself out, I’m willing to give you a percentage of this business. This one restaurant only.”
“I’m willing to prove myself to you, Harris. You have my word I will give this place my all. Losing my wife, my home, and my livelihood was all my fault, I admit it. Hitting rock bottom was the shock to the system I needed. But the gambling debts are gone, and I’m staying on the straight and narrow. I give you my word, mate.”
I clapped my hand on my mentor’s shoulder. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Partner.” Simon pulled his coat on. “You know, I like the sound of that.”
“Sorry. I don’t swing that way.”
Simon laughed at my quip and left ahead of me.
I took my time to wander from the kitchen to the front of the house area, taking in the space again.
I could envision the bar, the tables and chairs, and the decor my original restaurant was well known for. I’d want to give this place a British tweak, much in the same way I was giving the Tokyo restaurant a Japanese spin. My mind was alive with design ideas, and I was looking forward to hiring the best interior restaurant designer in London after the holiday season was over.
But it meant one thing…
God, I hoped Louisa would understand.
ChapterNineteen
Tate
Louisa was curled up in bed, still sound asleep, when I pushed the door to Eric’s room open.
She wasn’t going to stay that way for long.
It was Christmas morning in the Rawlins’ London household, and no matter how late Eric had kept her up last night, she wasn’t going to miss a moment of it.
Despite our discussion in the bathroom, I still felt the tension between us. It was all my fault. I knew that. The future of Rawlins Industries was important, and no one would ever tell me otherwise. However, knowing two of my cousins were interested in business somewhat put my mind at ease. I hoped Moëlle had the potential needed to take a position at Rawlins Industries and would say yes to my offer. If she did, she could be the answer I needed to my problem.
The one thing that was more important than all of it, though, was Louisa. I had to prove that to her. I needed to remind her how much I loved her.
Glancing down at the breakfast tray in my hands, I set it aside on the bedside table and lowered myself to sit on the edge of the bed.
A commotion in the ensuite bathroom caused me to lift my gaze to find Eric in the doorway. He shot me a hard look. “Are you here to make things up to her?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.” Eric pulled on a dark blue shirt. “Make it the best Christmas morning she’s ever had, brother.”
I cringed.
Lou wasn’t the only one I’d upset with my tenacity. I knew my brothers were ready to string me up if I didn’t make things right. “I promise.”
Eric huffed and headed out of the bedroom, leaving me alone with our lady.