“I assumed we’d be going to the art museum?”
“Well, that art is great, but you’re missing out on some spectacular pieces by driving that fancy sports car everywhere.” I walk backward while Davis glances back to his car. “It’s fine. I thought I was in charge of this tour?”
I tug him toward me and he eventually succumbs, stumbling forward.
“With those jeans on, I think I’d follow you right into the lake.”
His steps match mine, and butterflies swim in my stomach as his fingers entwine with mine.
CHAPTER TEN
Todd
I escaped the scene before I have to witness Noodle and Davis together. Noodle doesn’t need to know that I’m two minutes away from fucking someone just to get her out of my mind.
Why, all of a sudden, is she filling my thoughts with something more than friendship?
I’m not going to deny that I’ve always been attracted to her. How could a guy not be?
But—and it’s a big but—I don’t shit where I sleep. It was a hard lesson learned, but neighbors aren’t up for any kind of fuckery. I prefer it when they don’t even know where I live.
Davis would be a good fit for Noodle—at least, I keep telling myself that. If only her piercing brown eyes weren’t haunting me right now . . .
She was concerned about me and what was wrong with me. How was I supposed to tell her it was her?
I’ve lived with regret after regret my whole life—like crappy things I did, only to wish I could take them back later. I’m done with that. I’m done with that pit-of-my-stomach guilt that overtakes me. That’s why I have to remember my promise. I’ll never take something that shouldn’t be mine. I’ll never, ever allow myself to fully care about anyone.
Pushing Noodle out of my head as much as possible, I pump myself up for another investor meeting. I’m at five meetings this week alone, and I’m drawing up shit with each one. This one is different, though. Today, I’m meeting with Edith and her daughter, Karla. They’re virgins in the restaurant business but old-timers in developing a brand.
Lavender is the first thing I smell as I step into their perfume store. Edith and Karla developed a line of perfumes, soaps, and anything else for women to smell good. The business is how they made their fortune, and they’ve been wanting to get into the restaurant business for some time. They’ve been coming to CHOPs since I started there, and lately, they’ve been requesting that I come out after their meal to thank me. One evening a month ago, I had the balls to ask them if they’d be interested. Since neither of us felt right doing it under Davis’s nose, here I am.
“Todd.” Karla circles around the display and gives me a kiss on each cheek.
“Hi, Karla. How are you?”
“I’m good. The kids and husband are driving me bonkers, but I’m surviving. What about you? I see you make it to the gym plenty.”
She coyly winks, and I chuckle. Karla constantly rags on me about my Facebook posts.
“Well, I’m single, so it’s not hard to find the time.” I follow her to the back end of the store.
“Oh, I guess we never asked. I’m surprised you’re single.” Her lips turn down. “Hold on, I’m going to grab my mom.”
She disappears through the back door, and my breathing picks up pace. Is it my imagination, or was Karla upset by the fact that I’m single? Shit. My head overflows with a zillion different girls I could ask to be my girlfriend, if that’s a deal-breaker for them.
“Todd.” Edith emerges through the door with her arms extended out to me.
“Good to see you, Edith.”
She hugs me, and the smell of lavender intensifies.
“Come on. We’re going out to lunch.”
She hooks her arm through mine, and I escort her out the door.
Half an hour later, the three of us are seated at a table in the front of a swanky café tucked away on a side street.
“This is amazing.” I sip the split pea soup off the spoon, completely flabbergasted that I didn’t make it.
“I love their food here,” Karla says.
Edith doesn’t chime in. Instead, she places her spoon down, wipes her mouth, and leans back in her chair. I guess the meeting just turned from friends to business.
You got this, Todd.
“So, we have some concerns, Todd,” Edith begins.
Well, shit. This isn’t a good start.
“What are your concerns, Edith?” I wipe my mouth and nudge my bowl of soup to the side.
“We know how Davis is. You don’t get any control in the restaurant, which means you don’t fully know what a restaurant needs to run or how to run one.”
“I’m at CHOPs for the day-to-day operations.”
“Yes, but you don’t do the inventory or the ordering.”
“Believe me, Edith, I know enough.” My stomach twists that this meeting is going nowhere. I’m forever destined to be under someone.
“Hmm . . .” She turns to her daughter, and they share a look.
What the fuck does that look mean?
“There are rumors filling the business circle. Davis is giving investors ultimatums when it comes to you.” Karla pauses and looks at her mom.
Edith nods.
“You know how much Davis has changed Brooklyn as far as restaurants go and how much clout he has in this city.”
I lean up and rest my elbows on the arms of the chairs as my blood boils. “What exactly are you saying, Karla?” My fingers lock together and clench to the point that they hurt.
“He’s telling people if they do business with you, he’ll never help them out. He’s threatening that he knows too many people their businesses rely on.”
“What could he possibly do?”
Karla places her hand on my tightly woven fists. I fight the urge to pull my hands away.
“Their vendors, saying their shipments could be delayed or even canceled. Liquor licenses.”
“Why does he give a shit about what I do? He can get another chef to take my place.”
I swallow to keep my anger at bay. These ladies don’t need my wrath. If I go animalistic, they’ll shoot me down for sure.
“That’s the thing,” Edith says. “In our eyes”—she glances to her daughter, and they smile—“you’re too good to lose, which means you’re the perfect chef for us.”
“If you’re that valuable to Davis, it means you’re more than an aspiring chef, Todd. It means you must be irreplaceable.” Karla gleams.
I can’t fight the smile forming across my lips. My dimples have to be on full display.
I relax back in my chair. “That’s a good thing, right?” I’m not ready to let my guard down just yet.
“That’s a very good thing.”
I exhale a deep breath and allow my heart rate to slow down.
“But . . .” Edith’s eyes pin mine.
Shit.
“There’s another thing that concerns us.”
If Davis sabotaging any business that invests with me doesn’t concern them, I know I can ease any other concerns.
“You’re twenty-seven and single, and we looked you up on Facebook. You model,” Karla says.
It’s confirmed. She doesn’t like that I’m single.
“Clarification, if I can offer one?”
Edith nods. Perspiration beads on my forehead, and I rub my palms down my legs. I need this restaurant. If Edith and Karla are the only two in Brooklyn who are willing to work with me, I need this deal if my dream of owning my own restaurant is going to come true.
“I’m twenty-seven and engaged, and I model for . . . my fiancée, who’s an aspiring photographer.” Shit, where did that come from?
“Really?” Edith asks.
A wide grin splashes across both their faces.
“Yes.”
Don’t divulge too much information. It shows lying.
“You said you were single earlier.” Karla tilts her head to the side.
My heart thunders against my chest. “Technically, I am.” I raise my hand in the air and show no ring.