Chapter 19
Porter had been nervous to confront Fiona about all of this, but he was downright terrified to tell David. Knowing David, he would march right over to Laura’s office and demand they get that space right then and there.
It didn’t help that they’d be seeing Fiona at work later. But David had to know better than to fire her. She already put in her two weeks notice, and they would need to hire another server in that time.
Porter arrived at the restaurant that afternoon and started assessing their supplies. Their alcohol delivery would be in soon, and they had cooks coming in a little early to prep for the night.
Porter had just accepted the alcohol delivery and was going over the inventory when David arrived.
To Porter’s dismay, David was immediately asking about the space next door.
“I ran some numbers based on our first full month, and it’s doable, Port,” he said. “We can really focus on the drinks and open up some space in the main dining room.”
Porter sighed. He couldn’t put it off forever.
“Come into the office, David. Let’s talk.”
Porter walked into the office, David close behind him. They had barely settled in when David spoke up.
“I can tell you already want to back out, Port, but if you at least look at those numbers before –”
“I want the space, David,” Porter told him. “At least, I’m pretty sure I do. I do want to look at those numbers.”
“Oh,” David said, sinking back into his seat. He smiled hesitantly. “So why the intimidating ‘let’s talk’ bit?”
“Because we’re not the only ones who want it.”
Porter let his statement hang there between them. David was silent, but his expressions perfectly relayed his every thought.
Finally, he spoke again.
“We need to act fast then, right?”
“Not exactly,” Porter said, rubbing the back of his neck.
David frowned. “I’m not following. Who else is interested?”
Porter sighed.
“Could be multiple parties interested for all I know.”
David frowned again. “Well, I’m confused. Why can’t we act fast, then?”
Porter felt his nerve slipping. David knew him too well. He was going to find out the truth, whether Porter told him or not.
“That reminds me, Fiona put in her two weeks this morning. Their business is getting pretty busy. Apparently.”
David stared at him intently, slowly putting together the jumbled pieces that Porter had thrown at him.
“Why are you bringing up Fiona right now?”
Porter didn’t say anything, but he also didn’t have to.
Suddenly, David stood up.
“What did you do?”
“I saw Fiona this morning, looking at the rental space with her friends. And some cowboy.”
David raised a brow, even more confused.
“They want it. They were about to tell Laura they wanted it. So I asked Fiona if we could talk, and we came up with a solution.”
“I bet you did,” David said, crossing his arms.
“Two weeks,” Porter told him. “We both agreed to wait two weeks before deciding. I called Laura and she agreed, though she wasn’t too happy about it.”
David was pacing now, both hands on top of his head.
“Explain to me why we couldn’t have just called Laura and told her we wanted it?”
“I thought they were going to take it right then,” Porter said, thinking back on that morning. “At least I bought us some time.”
“Sure,” David said, “Until Fiona calls Laura tomorrow and says ‘Actually, we want the space. Thanks.”
Porter frowned. Admittedly, he was putting a lot of trust in Fiona and her friends.
“Laura agreed to the terms.”
“Laura is a real estate agent,” David said, his words tinged with anger. “She wants to make a sale, so she can move on to the next one.”
David collapsed into his seat again and shook his head.
“We’re screwed.”
“Not necessarily,” Porter said, defensive now. This was going a little worse than he’d expected.
“Yes, necessarily,” David told him. “Because you like her. You’re going to give her the one shot we have at this lounge because you’re too blinded by love.”
Porter nearly fell out of his chair.
“Hold on, I do not love her, or even like her. This morning was the first time we’ve hung out in weeks.”
“Oh, my god,” David said, rubbing his eyes in frustration. “That’s the part you’re concerned about? Acting like you’re not into her? We’re about to lose this perfect opportunity over a crush, Porter. Do you get that?”
David stood, defeated.
“Well, I guess we don’t have much of a choice now, do we? And what happens when we all still want that space in two weeks?”
Porter leaned back in his seat. “That won’t happen, because I am going to find them something better than this place.”
David stared at him dubiously, then left the office again without another word.