Chapter 22
The next week had passed faster than any other since I arrived on the island, mostly due to the last-minute decisions with Venom.
It was officially one week until our Valentine’s grand opening.
One week.
The space was finished, the only thing outstanding were some last-minute orders for various vendors for last-minute custom furniture pieces that Patrick couldn’t handle with his woodworking background. All of which weren’t essential to the opening and wouldn’t sink us for opening night.
There were, however, still a lot of moving parts for training staff that I finally finalized from the applicants in town. Gioia had stepped up to help train the bartenders since she’d observed her family at Drew’s restaurant. We also had a lot of cleaning of plaster dust and other various odds and ends that came up when something was so close to being finished.
I was finishing up another walk-through, my fifth that day, when I entered my office.
“What’s this about?” I asked, entering the space that I’d be spending most of my time in the future. It wasn’t fully decorated yet, but I was able to add a few of my favorite items I’d collected since coming to Haven Pass. Like some Gothic art prints I’d collected at the farmers’ market in the fall from local artists, and some cute (yes, cute, according to Gioia) office supplies that were both functional and fit the Venom aesthetic.
They were “on brand” as the youth said.
I liked it. The space was coming together, and I’d even started collecting some books to fill the built-in shelves that I’d insisted on from the carpenters who enjoyed the art deco vibe I had described.
“Nothing you need to worry about,” Arch answered for Anya and Cliona, whom I directed the question at.
“I’m going to pretend you did not just say that to me.” I ignored him and sat down in my chair so I could face two of the females I respected most in this town.
“There’s someone who needs safe passage here,” Anya started, side-eyeing my vampire like he was a menace.
My. Vampire.
Yes, I was officially falling for the auburn-haired brute who pestered me endlessly. How had he wiggled his way into my heart so effortlessly this past month? Maybe not effortlessly, I knew he’d worked to win me over, but had I given in that quickly?
Yes, I had.
It was fine.
“It’s a gorgon, Lavinia.” Cliona cut through the bullshit before Arch could interrupt like he was looking to do.
The world froze around me.