Page 58 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

Yes, every business should be profitable, but the unexpected windfall gives us a buffer during the start-up phase. So, why not have fun while we put our degrees to use? I really don’t want to give up working at Grumpy’s, but I’ll only be able to hold out for so long. If I’m honest with myself, the idea of being able to eat dinner at home with Arden and his—no,ourfriends, or watch movies, or have a drink, or throw a party . . . maybe . . . All of it appeals to me. Having my nights free means I can do more things and enjoy life.

“Well . . . Arden asked me to start a business with him on the weekend,” I admit to Chad.

“Yeah, Ralph said something about that, but I wasn’t entirely sure what the timeline on it was. You don’t need to work anymore because you’re married to Arden, but I know you like your independence. I didn’t want to just assume that you were going to leave us.”

I love that Chad factors me into the decisions he makes about the bar.

“I don’t really want to leave you, but the reality is I won’t be able to work here forever. I will always be here if you need somebody to fill in, and I will happily pick up a shift here and there just to get myself out of the house—god knows I’m going to need it—but you should give Logan what he’s asking for, especially if it means that you will get to spend more time with Mady.”

Chad needs to find a better work life balance, I’m hoping now that he’s got Mady, he will make more of an effort.

I look at over at Chad, and it seems as if a weight has been lifted.

“Were you worried about having this conversation with me?”

“A little . . . I just didn’t want it to seem like I was telling you that you have to leave, or that you no longer have a place here. Grumpy’s will always be your home, Ella, and I will always be here for you, but I think you’re right. If we do this with Logan, we might actually both be able to spend some more time at home and having a life.”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear; Logan comes swaggering through the front doors of Grumpy’s and heads around the bar, making himself at home.

“What’s up, my people? How’s it hanging?”

“A little shrivelled and to the left,” Doc chimes in from the end of the bar, making everyone chuckle.

“Dude, you are still not allowed to speak to me after what you did to me.” Logan glares at Doc.

I guess he still hasn’t forgiven him for the drugging incident. Technically, Logan is at fault here; he shouldn’t have taken food from Doc.

“It’s not my fault that you can’t read,” Doc tells him.

“Can’t read what?”

Doc clamps his mouth shut and points at the sign behind the bar that clearly states in bold letters:

DO NOT TAKE FOOD FROM DOC.

“I thought it said not to take food from dogs,” Logan says, confused.

I bust up laughing. Logan is something else. What, I don’t know, but I’m lost for words. I look at the sign and have no clue how he could see the word “dogs” instead of “Doc.”

“That doesn’t even make sense, Logan! What dogs? And why would you be taking food from them?” Chad can’t resist jumping on Logan’s stupid comment.

“It made sense to me.”

“Yeah, well, you are the only one it made sense to. I just hope you’ve learned your lesson about taking food from strangers,” Chad chastises.

“Geez, Chad. You are starting to sound like Isaac,” Logan retorts while restocking one of the bar fridges.

I smile. Chad and I have been sitting here talking for the last twenty minutes and the first thing Logan does is get to work, rather than standing around with us.

I think we’re making the right decision.

Chad ignores his comment and smiles at me before turning to Logan. “Ella and I were just talking. How do you feel about a promotion?”

Logan’s head snaps up out of the fridge he’s stocking, and he stares at us with his mouth hanging open.

“Close your mouth, you’ll catch flies,” I joke.

“Are you serious?” Logan is shocked, and I feel sorry for him. I don’t think anyone has ever really taken him seriously, and from what I’ve seen, there’s more to Logan than meets the eye.

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