7. Nick
7
NICK
T he crowd was a good size tonight. I looked out the window of the connecting door and nodded. Yes. Having the customers be able to see inside the kitchen was going to be an amazing opportunity.
Most of them were already used to me and the other staff.
I grew up with most of them too.
I wasn't sure why I didn’t think about it before, but the more I thought about it, the more excited I got.
And the more excited I got...
The more I thought about Julia.
No matter how much I pushed the thought of her away, the idea of her, how beautiful she was and what she was wearing underneath those damn skirts only came back with a vengeance a few minutes later. So instead, I pushed my way through the door and smiled at my guests.
I walked up to the mayor, his wife, and his four kids who all looked like they were having a nice time. “Hi, Bill,” I said, shaking his hand.
“Nick, it's great tonight!” He enthusiastically shook my hand back. He looked at his wife. He pointed to the bare tables now, and Julia was right, it already warmed up the place. It was a simple change, but it made me feel drastically different.
Bill patted me on the arm. “Rita was just saying how much she loved what you’ve done, but we hear that the place might be changing more?” he asked, his bushy brows perked.
I couldn't even be bothered to be annoyed that he knew. The town was small. I already let the staff know. There was no way they kept it a secret, even if it was accidental. Plus, if Kendra smelled something in the air, she’d definitely pounce.
“Yes! New year, new restaurant. We’re going to be moving into a more casual, family atmosphere with elevated, rustic food. Think Italian-American with a twist.” I smiled. Rita’s red lips widened in a smile matching mine.
“I think that sounds wonderful.” She placed a hand on her youngest son. “Your food is so delicious, we would eat anything you make, even the boys, but having something a little more casual with a rustic flair sounds much more like they, and we, would enjoy. You know we aren’t fancy,” she said, dabbing the corners of her mouth.
My smile grew. They lived in a 5,000-square-foot home at the top of the hill even before Bill became mayor. Plus, I’d known both of them since high school. I knew what their idea of fancy was, but I wasn’t going to argue with them. They were saying they supported the change in public, and it made my decision sound even better now.
“That's great.” I looked up, seeing Julia come in. Just seeing her made me nervous and excited, and I gave Bill another handshake. “I’ll let you guys get back to your dinner. Thank you for the support.”
As I walked over to a waiting Julia, I stopped and said hello to a few other regulars. “Julia, hello,” I said as she gave me a warm smile. “We can go into my office.” I pointed down the hall, and suddenly, the idea of telling her we had to cut the budget seemed like a crazy one.
I didn’t want her to think I was an irresponsible business owner. I didn’t want her to think I was bad at business. I stopped as we got to the door, and I shook out my nerves. She’d understand. I’d still be paying her. Businesses had to make budgetary changes all the time.
“Are you okay?” she asked, placing her hand on my arm. The heat that resonated from her touch abolished any rational thoughts as it charged to my dick, which started swelling. My eyes bounced over her face, and she must’ve had on some sort of perfume because she smelled like sunflowers in the summer.
I stepped closer and bunched my fingers into a fist to keep from kissing her. Especially kissing her in front of a bunch of people. That would definitely make her not want to work with me. And enough people knew about my private life as it was. I didn’t want them to know everything.
Plus, I shouldn’t even be thinking about it. She’s younger and technically staff.
An eyelash lay on her cheek. Before I knew what I was doing, my finger caressed her skin, picking up the lash. “Now you can make a wish,” I said. I surprised myself. I'd had this internal conversation already, but as my cock twitched and her perfume swirled around me, I had a difficult time not doing something I might regret later.
Julia’s gaze seemed locked on mine, and a whisper of kindness dashed over her eyes. She broke our eye contact, and I suddenly missed it and couldn’t wait for it to happen again. She placed her hand on mine and blew the eyelash away. My fingers closed around hers, and the air twisted around us.
I stepped closer and asked, “What did you wish for?”
Her cheeks turned red, splashing over her pale skin. She turned her gaze down and released a sigh. Then her mahogany eyes turned up to mine.
She blinked her full lashes at me, and I had to restrain myself from kissing her right here and now, reminding myself she was only here for business and probably thought I was too old. Both were a good splash of cold water I needed.
“I can’t tell you that, but you haven’t answered my question.” Her brows knitted together. “Are you okay?”
A crash in the kitchen pulled my attention back to the present. I realized I was holding onto her hand and we were a literal inch apart. So much for being professional.
I dropped her hand and took a step back. Clearing my throat, I gave her a tight nod and opened the office door for her and let her walk in first. Since the light was out, I flicked it on and watched her as she sat in the chair across from me.
I eased into my chair and leaned forward. “I am okay, but I got some interesting news.” I winced at the word choice as I struggled to keep my temper and tone even. “I won’t be able to go full out for the first stage of the renovation and rebranding like I initially thought.”
I stopped. I supposed she didn’t have to know why. I scratched the back of my neck and huffed as she smiled at me. It was warm and kind, and she didn’t ask any questions I would have gotten with?—
A sharp rap came on the door, and Kendra barged in with some dude on her arm. “Nick, I heard you were in here.” She gave Julia a hungry snake look, and my defenses shot up. I stood.
“You are not welcome in this office anymore. Get out.”
Instead of listening, she cuddled up next to the man on her arm and purred. I don’t even bother to stop my eyes from rolling. “Winston and I are just here to pick up my personal effects.”
“Everything that’s yours is in a box in the storage room.” I tipped my chin out of my office. “If I find anything else that’s yours, I’ll mail it to you.”
Kendra didn't take her eyes off Julia the entire time, and I shook my head and moved around my desk. “Julia, it’s probably best that you go for now.” I turned my gaze to Kendra, then stepped between them, putting my back to Kendra and the guy.
“Let’s reschedule for tomorrow, okay? I’ll call you later. You don’t need to be part of this.” Confusion rode through her eyes, and she seemed to understand what I was asking—not to mention, she was in front of Kendra. When she gave me a tight nod, relief flooded my system and I turned, placing my hand along her back. I ushered her out, sweeping my arm forward and leading her out.
She turned to look at me before she left the office and touched my arm. “See you later,” she said.
Before I knew what I was doing, I leaned over and kissed her cheek.
When I inhaled, her sunflower scent overtook me, and I lingered a little longer than I probably should have for professional purposes.
Julia stepped back with questions in her eyes. I was grateful to her that she didn't ask them right now, and I hoped that I didn’t just blow my chance at working with her. “We’ll talk later,” she said, and I saw kindness in her eyes as well as a maturity I didn’t expect to see. My heart stalled, and the idea of asking her on a date seemed more plausible than ever now.
The worst she could do was say no.
At best, she would say yes and I’d get the nagging sensation to ask her out off my chest so I wasn’t driving myself bonkers on top of everything else.
“Thank you,” I whispered in her ear, my lips almost brushing her lobe. She touched my hand and looked up at me. When our eyes met, she gave me a knowing look, turned, and walked down the hall.
I hated the reminder that Kendra was still behind me.
I scrunched my eyes up and shook out the embarrassment I had, watching Julia disappear down the hall. After she was gone, I shored myself up and turned. I snapped back into myself, not sure what I was doing, but the daggers Kendra threw at my back left me with a sick sense of satisfaction.
Kendra didn't bother to hide her rage, but I was okay with that. I pointed out the door. “Let’s go. I’ll get you the box, but you don’t own this restaurant anymore. You’re not welcome in the office or anywhere else that isn’t the dining room. And frankly, you’re not welcome there either. But if you want to spend your money here, I’m not going to stop you.”
Winston stood looking between the two of us. I didn't know what he saw in my face, but he leaned over and said, “Come on, babe, let’s get your stuff. I’ll take you somewhere nice afterward.”
I didn't even care if it was a dig at the restaurant. If he could get her out of here, I would name a drink after him once they were gone. Kendra looked at me. I smiled and perked a brow, something that always drove her into a bigger rage. Satisfaction rode over me, and in the moment, I felt vindicated.
After Kendra and the guy she was with left my office, I followed them out, locking the door behind me. I didn't trust Kendra not to pull any other stupid shit.
We got out to the hostess stand, and I pointed at a spot on the floor. “Wait here.” I didn't wait for her to respond and instead walked to the back of the room toward the kitchen.
I spotted Julia sitting at the bar, and I was surprised to see her but also happy I didn’t chase her away.
I got everything out of the storage room that Kendra left, tossed it into a box, and brought it back out. Shock that Kendra was still waiting where I told her to be rode through my system. She must have known something about the IRS payments and was probably waiting for me to bring it up.
I wasn’t going to give her that satisfaction today.
But I wasn’t going to sit on it, either.
“Here.” I pushed the box into Winston’s hands, knowing she wouldn't hold it herself. She couldn’t be bothered to get her fingers dirty.
Kendra scoffed and spun on her heel without another word. Winston looked at me with something I couldn’t peg, but I bet what Kendra told him would happen and the stark reality of what did happen were sinking in right now.
A small part of me was happy with the way I reacted. Proud, even.
I didn’t let her rattle me. It was what she wanted.
I didn’t know why she was clinging to the idea that she was going to get the better of me. But I didn’t think she was going to anymore.
And an even bigger part of me was thrilled with the fact that this might be his and Kendra’s last date because she'd wildly exaggerated. Another part of me ate that satisfaction because I knew I'd pissed her off. Even though I might have cut one head off the beast, I suspected two more were going to grow in its place.
I tipped my head at him, and when I could no longer see either of them through the window, I hurried back over to Julia. “I am so sorry,” I said just as she was taking a drink.
My hand hit her shoulder and caused her to jerk, and she coughed after she swallowed her bourbon. “Shit,” I said, reaching over the bar and grabbing a napkin. “Double apology, I guess.”
She took the napkin and wiped up the extra liquor on her chin, giving me the warm smile that filled my heart up probably a little more than it should. “It’s fine. I just don’t drink hard liquor often, but your mixologist was so convincing, I thought I’d try it.” She lifted her tumbler in the air. “Takes a minute to get used to.”
“Who’s a mixologist? Frank?” I pointed to the bartender leaning against the back counter. Frank waved at me and I shot him a look.
“Yep.” She took another sip, this time smaller than the first, and did her best not to wince. I didn't let the chuckle slip out that I wanted to because she looked damn cute.
“He’s a part-time bartender with another job at a Kinkos.”
“Ah, yes, but see, calling him a mixologist elevates his title to sound more important.” She tipped her glass to me. “Rebranding.” She laughed.
“Well, since I know Frank and understand that the ‘rebranding’ might just go to his head?—”
“Hey! I resent that remark,” he said with a grin. I waved him off.
“Your rebranding is very clever. Do you mind if we go talk now?” I had to make it up to her, but I wasn’t going to talk about everything in the dining room.
“Sure,” she said. “As long as you don’t mind the fact that I’ve already had a drink.” She leaned into me, and a sharp spark shot to my dick. Now, I was pretty sure she was flirting with me. “I was off the clock, you know.”
“Yeah.” I laughed. “Do you want another?”
“No.” She shook her head, moving off the stool. I grabbed her laptop bag before she could and didn’t let her take it. “I’d like a mildly straight mind when I work. Although I could have some water.” She turned to Frank and asked for some.
After she got it, I led her back to the office so we could get to work.