Chapter 45
Frankie wasn’t sure how her sister had done it, but she’d turned a simple black beach coverup into a cute little black dress perfect for dinner out. The lacey black number paired with a black tank top and black capri leggings somehow looked chic and cool and intentional. Not at all like a swimsuit coverup.
The gold chain belt, gold hoop earrings, and gold sandals jazzed the look up a lot. Harper had helped her put it all together. The coverup, belt, and earrings had been procured by Harper from what she called leftovers in one of the closets.
Frankie assumed that meant they’d been left behind by a previous guest at the house, but she wasn’t really sure. Whatever the case, she felt pretty and that was something rare and wonderful.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Lucas, letting her know he’d arrived to pick her up. She placed her phone into her little woven straw clutch, also found in the closet, and tucked it against her side with her laptop.
“I’m off,” she said to Harper. “Thanks again for helping me come up with this outfit. I love it.”
“You look fabulous. Have fun. You deserve it.”
Grinning, Frankie ran down the steps and out the front door. Lucas was in his white Range Rover. He hopped out to open the passenger door for her. He was in black shorts with a black and tan patterned shirt that had a mid-century retro vibe to it.
“You look great,” he said. “And we match. People are going to think we’re extra.”
She laughed. He was so handsome it almost hurt to look at him. Almost. “I don’t think I’ve ever been accused of that. You look really nice, too, by the way.”
She got in and he shut her door, then returned to his spot behind the wheel.
She held her computer on her lap. “I was thinking we could look at the logos I mocked up first. Or don’t we have time?”
“We have time.” He kept the car in Park. “Do you want to go back inside?”
“I can show them to you right here, if you like.”
“Sure.”
She was glad she’d spent a few minutes refining them. She’d even come up with one more version. His initials done with the silver fork and knife resting on a bed of fresh produce. She wasn’t sure she was going to show that one to him. She had her suspicions that it might be a little over the top. Or “extra” as he’d called it.
She opened the laptop, fired it up, and then clicked on the file that held the samples. She turned the screen toward him and held her breath for his response.
He narrowed his eyes. “You did all of these?”
“I did.” She bit the inside of her cheek, anxious about what he was thinking.
“You said logos weren’t your thing.”
She swallowed and nodded. “It’s true, they aren’t.” He hated them. Obviously. He was just trying to let her down easy.
“You lied.” He grinned. “These are great. They’re simple, but classy and easily readable. Good job.”
“Yeah?” She exhaled. “I actually have one more, but I think it’s too much. Do you want to see it anyway?”
“You bet I do.”
She opened up the new file. “Totally over the top. I know. But it’s fun to play.”
He shook his head. “If it’s over the top, so am I. I freaking love it. I want that. That’s my new logo, right there.”
“Seriously?”
He laughed, still staring at the screen. “Yes. Look at it! It says food and energy and freshness. It’s inviting and bold. And…it’s perfect.”
She wasn’t so sure about that, but wasn’t there a saying about the client always being right? “Can I clean it up a little? That’s not a finished version you’re looking at it. It was just me…doodling.”
“Sure, but don’t lose the effervescence of this. It looks like the letters are exploding out of the fruit and veg and that’s a big part of what I like.”
“I promise, I won’t lose any of that.” She grinned. “I’ll have it done by tomorrow.”
“Fantastic. What do I owe you?”
That logo had taken her less than two hours. All of the logos combined probably hadn’t been more than five or six hours, but that was developmental time. She didn’t want to seem greedy, either. “How about two hundred?”
His brows knit together. “Frankie, that’s not enough. This is going to be seen everywhere. I’m going to merch the daylights out of this. T-shirts, cups, aprons. I’m going to need verbiage from you that allows me that kind of usage. You can’t charge that little.”
“I can’t?”
“No.”
“Five hundred?” That seemed like a lot.
He sighed, barely hiding a smile. “I’m going to give you twenty-five hundred. Some of that you’re going to have to use getting an attorney to draw up the fair-use agreement, but at least once that’s done, you’ll have it as part of your paperwork.”
Twenty-five hundred was an enormous sum of money. She had no idea how much an attorney would charge her for this agreement Lucas wanted, but even if it was half of that, she would easily be able to pay for Willa’s plane ticket when the credit card bill came. She could pay down another bill, too. “Thank you,” she breathed out. “That’s really generous.”
“It’s well worth it.” He shifted the car into Drive. “Now let’s go have a nice dinner to celebrate. At least I hope it’s a nice dinner. It might be awful, in which case I won’t be offended if you decide to charge me more.”
She laughed as they drove off. He was so much fun. So easy to be around. So different from Tom. But then she reminded herself that this was a business relationship, nothing more. She was just fine with that. Having a friend like Lucas to hang out with was almost as good as having him for a romantic companion, which was a complication she didn’t need.
In fact, she’d much prefer a platonic friendship. And really, there was no point to getting romantically involved. Or even thinking about it. She’d be returning home in another week or two.
The restaurant was small. Eighteen tables, booths included. The savory aromas of tomatoes, basil, and garlic wafted through the small space. Music played softly in the background, all Italian singers, so Frankie didn’t understand the words, but the tunes were familiar.
The owner came straight from the kitchen to greet Lucas with a big smile and a hearty handshake, treating him like a rock star. He led them to a booth, got them seated, then handed them each a single sheet of paper with the evening’s menu on it.
“I’m sorry it’s so limited but this is our soft opening, as you know, and we want to perfect our dishes before we expand.”
“That’s fine,” Lucas said.
“Would you like some wine? We have beer and soft drinks, also.”
“Nothing for me. Just water,” Lucas said. He looked at Frankie.
She shook her head. If he wasn’t ordering alcohol, neither was she. “I’m fine with water, too.”
“I’ll get your server to bring some glasses right over with some of our fresh focaccia bread. Enjoy your meal.”
“Thanks.” Lucas tipped his menu down. “I don’t like to drink when I’m doing a restaurant review. I don’t want it to cloud my judgment. Besides, I know what wine tastes like. Unless they’ve made it themselves, it’s not really what I’m here for.”
“Smart,” she said.
The server, who looked very much like he might be the owner’s son, brought a basket of bread and two glasses of water. “Good evening. Are you ready to order or would you like a few more minutes?”
“A few more minutes,” Lucas said.
“Take your time.” The young man left.
“What do you think?” Lucas picked up his menu. “Let’s order different things so we can share.”
“Good plan.” Tom had never wanted to share. At least not his own meal. He’d been fine to try what she was eating but heaven forbid she wanted a taste of his. “But if there are specific dishes you want to try, I’m happy to let you do all the ordering. Food is kind of your thing.”
His brows lifted. “You’re sure?”
“Definitely.” She put her menu down.
“All right, I can do that.” He blew out an exaggerated breath, his brows bent dramatically. “I hope the pressure doesn’t get to me.”
“I think you’ll manage.” She laughed, suddenly aware of just how much she was enjoying the evening. Pressure was the last thing she felt with Lucas. There was no worry that his mood might abruptly change. Or that she might catch him giving another woman an appreciative look. Or that he’d decide the moment was right to analyze one of her habits, pointing out the flaws that went with it.
With Lucas, everything was just…easy.
She lifted her glass of water. “Here’s to a great meal, a fun night, and a new friendship.”
He lifted his glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
The server returned and Lucas ordered for them. She happily sat back and let him do his thing. When the food arrived, each dish was more delicious than the last. She was impressed, but she waited for his reaction. He loved it, making her smile.
They ate and laughed and talked about all kinds of things and ate some more.
By the end of the night, she was still smiling despite how full she was. The owner insisted on sending them each home with a piece of tiramisu, since they’d been too full to have dessert at the restaurant.
Frankie groaned as she put her seatbelt on. Lucas laughed as he started up the car. “I know just how you feel. That was a great meal, wasn’t it?”
“Fantastic. Some of the best Italian food I’ve had in a long time. I might have to take my daughter here when she gets in.”
“Your daughter’s coming to visit?” He pulled out of the parking lot.
Frankie nodded. “Yep. Tomorrow, actually.”
“I’d love to have you all over for dinner again. You, her, and your sister. Unless you just want time alone with her, which I totally get.”
“Are you joking?” Frankie scoffed. “Do you realize how many mom points that would earn me? Dinner at Lucas Prime’s house? My daughter might faint. I’m in. I’m sure Harper will be, too.”
“All right. I’ll check my schedule, make up a menu, and text you tomorrow for approval.”
“Whatever you want to make is fine. We aren’t picky. And our schedule’s free. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. I’m looking forward to the company.”
And Frankie was looking forward to being declared mother of the year. Willa was not going to believe this.