EPILOGUE
“Hey TJ,” Grant walks over to the hostess desk to greet us.
The hostess knows who I am, even though I haven’t eaten at Grant’s restaurant yet. She is all doe-eyed and star struck, and she seems slightly put out that Grant feels the need to take care of us himself. I nod and stick my hand out.
“Grant, good to see you.” I step back. “This is Nandy…”
“Oh, I know,” Grant surprises me. “I’m from Chicago, I love your music.”
I had completely forgotten the Chicago connection. Of course, he knows who Nandy is. Hell, the whole world does.
“This is Fynn.”
Grant turns his attention to Fynn and shakes his hand. “Nice to meet you. Come on, I’ve got you guys at the Chef’s table.”
“This place is beautiful,” Fynn says. “A Chicago kid, eh. What brought you to Denver.”
“I lost Head Chef…” and as if on cue, Evan pops out from the swinging doors leading to the offices. “And found him.”
Evan plants a kiss on Grant’s cheek and begins to dash off when he realizes it’s us. “Oh hey,” he stops.
“This is Evan, he’s also a Grizzly,” I say. “Nandy nods, yes, Evan Palmer.”
I swivel my head. “Wow, very good.”
“I’m learning.”
“Well, I’m not,” Fynn says sticking his hand out. “Hi, I’m Fynn.”
“Hi,” Evan is grinning now.
“Seems like a very good reason to come to Denver,” Fynn winks at Grant.
“And your reason?” Grant mocks.
“Even better,” Fynn grabs my ass, and we all laugh.
“Enjoy your dinner,” Evan says as he kisses Grant again and heads out.
When Grant appears with the loser donuts and the goddamn brownies, I wonder how on earth I am going to take one more bite of food. All three of us stare at table. Grant laughs.
“I can get you to-go boxes if you need.”
“Nope,” I say. “Just give us a minute.”
He laughs again and I grab a donut.
“Did anyone notice the space next door is for sale?” Fynn says.
“No,” I furrow my brow at him. Nandy stops his donut midway to his mouth and raises his eyebrows. “What am I missing?”
Grant comes back over and places a hand on the back of the my chair.
“So, Grant, do you know anything about the space next door?”
He laughs. “I do.”
I feel like the naive kid in school who has fallen way behind on the inside joke.
“I own it.”
“And you are selling it?”
“Evan and I bought it initially thinking we might need it…then we kept it so we could control who moves in next door.”
“Hmmmm.”
“Why? You interested?”
“Very, but I need to see it, see how much renovation would be necessary.”
“For….”
“A club…”
“I don’t want a nightclub next door, sorry.”
“Not a night club…well, most activities will take place at night…but it will be a members-only exclusive club…from the outside it will look like a very expensive bar, to go relax after a glorious eleven course meal.”
“And beyond the bar?” Grant is suspiscious.
“A place for other ways to unwind.”
“Seriously…you want to put a sex club next to my restaurant?”
“Yes.” Fynn bats his eyes at Grant, who then looks at us. My jaw is still on the floor, having not seen this coming. Nandy has taken on that stoic expressionless stance he always does when the wheels are turning but he is not getting involved until absolutely necessary.
“I’ll come by tomorrow to check it out.” Fynn says gleefully and reaches for a brownie.