Page 48 of Reckless Chance
“Are you sure that’s the only reason Evan pinches you?” I joke.
“Very funny. Let’s go out to the dining room. I’ll show you around while the team finishes the tasting dishes.”
“Okay.”
I’m thankful Cassie’s been in my life since law school. She’s the sister I always needed. Nothing against my brother, but there are certain things only another woman understands.
With those thoughts, emotions wash over me. I’m not sure how much longer we’ll have each other with all the drastic changes in Cassie’s future. It hadn’t occurred to me before. Our lives are diverging quickly. The thought of not having Cassie to turn to, when times are tough or something exciting happens, leaves me with an unsettling emptiness. Reining in my selfishness, I promise myself that I won’t rain on her well-deserved happiness. So, biting my lip, I quash the sense of looming loss, at least for now, and force a smile.
Excitement in her voice, Cassie points out the off-white chairs and purple, upholstered booths. “I can’t believe they made all the changes so quickly. What do you think? Do you like it?” she asks.
“It’s spectacular. What did it look like before?” I ask as she guides me to sit on a bench seat in one of the booths while she sits in a chair across from me.
“It was an outdated theme and far from ideal for a new opening.”
“Sean must have spent a fortune redoing this for you.”
“Not exactly for me. Kai takes over as the permanent chef soon after my month ends. Sean promised to renovate before then. Kai asked if it was possible to finish the remodeling in time for my opening instead. That way we could work out any kinks ahead of his debut. When I agreed to Kai’s plan, Sean arranged for this magical transformation to take place a few weeks earlier than originally scheduled. And Kai was kind enough to ask for my input on the redesign.”
“Isn’t it odd that another chef would be okay with you using his remodeled kitchen and restaurant first?”
“We met during the guest chef competition and got along great. Kai’s ego isn’t as big as those of the chefs on cooking shows. Besides, I’m helping him out. He’ll be guaranteed a smooth opening. We’ve had fun working together on the theme too. It didn’t take long to decide that purple should be the main color, and the restaurant should have a modern, comfortable feel. We told the designers and let them work their magic. The result was this magnificent design.”
“Wow. They nailed it,” I say.
“They did. The designers are incredibly talented. I wasn’t sure about the wood and glass trim on the booths at first. Then they brought in this brown walnut with the dark chocolate streaks and swirls, and it was a perfect contrast to the purples, grays, and whites,” she says, reaching up to stroke the highly polished trim.
“I’m no designer, but I wouldn’t change a thing,” I say, glancing around the room once again.
“Thanks. Sorry for talking a mile a minute. My excitement level is at the moon. Not to mention, my to-do list feels like it would circle the globe at least once. I’m working at warp speed to get everything done.”
“If we talk fast, maybe we can catch up on everything. With you in Catalinius all summer and me taking on extra work at the law firm, we’re way behind.”
“I know. It’s been out of control.”
“By the way, the wine room behind that glass wall is impressive. It must be thirty feet high. What’s up with those white and lavender sashes hanging from the ceiling in there? They look like the aerial silks that acrobats use.”
“They are aerial silks. When someone orders a bottle of wine, the acrobats use the silks to climb up the tower of wine, grab the bottle, and slide down. If the bottle is high enough, the acrobats even do flips and turns on the way down. It’s quite a show.”
“I can’t wait to watch. Do you have a list of the bottles near the top?” I ask.
“That’s exactly what I asked when I first saw the wine tower. The more expensive the bottle, the higher its slot. The goal is to entice customers to purchase a pricey bottle to watch the server climb to the top.”
“Great marketing strategy.”
“That’s what I said. So, if you want a bottle from the top, my suggestion is to let Sean order it for you.”
“Why would Sean be ordering expensive wine for me?”
“Because of your relationship.” Cassie smiles knowingly.
“It’s not a relationship. I’m helping him with the legal issues related to the accidental death at the show. He hired me to handle the settlement with the man’s family.”
“Uh-huh. That’s why Sean always has his hand on your back or arm when Evan and I have seen you together. You can’t fool me. There’s more to it.”
“I’ve already told you we’re having a little fun along the way, but he did hire me.”
Her head tilts, and she looks down as she moves and twists the mini orchid plant at the center of our table. It’s as if she’sarguing with herself about something. I know I’m right when she says, “I’m not sure I should question what’s going on with you and Sean because you seem particularly happy, and dare I say,content.But it is out of character for you to mix business and pleasure. What led to this exception?”
