Page 26 of With a Grain of Salt

"What are your specific issues that are making you unsuccessful?"

It wasn't long ago that Mac Hammer was sitting here, worried about his own business, and I recommended using Riley and her catering business to woo the local folks who were having to decide between his business and one from out of town.

I don't know if he reached out to her, and it's not really my place to set that into motion.

"No one wants to hire me," she says.

"Do you feel like it's a product issue?"

She narrows her eyes at me before speaking. "A Taste of Art prides itself on being top-of-the-line culinary cuisine, thank you very much."

I hold my hands at my ears in mock surrender. I can see she definitely doesn't have a problem fighting for her dream.

"Do you think that's the problem?"

"Are you serious? People don't want bad food."

I shake my head and smile wider. "Are you considering your clientele when advertising your menu and prices?"

It's her turn to chew the inside of her cheek.

"I think—"

"Hold that thought," I tell her when I see Claire walking toward the bar over her shoulder.

"Two Buds, one dark IPA, and nine shots of Patron."

I cringe at the shot count. There are going to be some folks regretting their choices in the morning, but it's not my job to judge folks making their own decisions.

"And two bottles of water and one diet soda for Adalynn and Madison."

I get to work on making the drinks.

"Madison isn't having her usual tequila and Diet Coke with lime?"

"She is not," Claire confirms, and for some reason it makes Riley's face light up as she turns to Claire.

"Really?"

"Really," Claire confirms.

"That's so exciting!" Riley says, looking over her shoulder at the large group across the room.

"Did I miss something?" I ask, placing the beers on Claire's tray before getting to work on the shots.

"Any idea why a woman wouldn't be drinking, Walker?" Claire asks.

I shrug. "Early morning? Just not in the mood?"

Claire sighs as if I'm the most frustrating man she has ever had to deal with.

"She's pregnant," Riley explains, letting me off the hook faster than Claire seemed willing to do.

"Wow," I say, genuinely surprised. "Never would've guessed that."

"It's why Adalynn isn't drinking either," Claire adds.

"Adalynn never drinks," I tell her. "Wait, she's pregnant, too?"

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