Page 46 of This Heart
I shrugged. “I told him I would let him pitch me his idea.”
Hitting me on the side of the arm, Nathan said, “Well, make sure you know everything about this guy before you even think about going into business with him.”
With a roll of my eyes, I replied, “Thanks for the advice, Dad.”
Nathan laughed and then started to walk in front of me.
Once we arrived at the hostess stand, I saw a woman with blondish-red hair smile as Nathan approached her. He reached down and kissed her on the cheek. A gentleman around the same age as me stood off to the side, reading a menu. I assumed that was Mr. Mitchell.
“Elle, this is my best friend, Liam.”
She reached her hand out. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about you from Nathan.”
Surprised, I replied, “He’s probably exaggerated half of what he told you about me.”
She laughed.
“Enjoy your evening,” I said to Nathan and Elle. “Drinks and food are on the house.”
Nathan hit me on the arm. “I’ll be sure to let Aurora and Gary know.”
I laughed and started to make my way to the gentleman I was sure was Mr. Turner. When the gentleman looked up from the menu, he grinned, set the menu down, and then reached for my hand. “Mr. Turner, I presume?”
“Yes,” I replied, shaking his hand. “Please, call me Liam.”
He nodded. “Call me Rich.”
“Rich, it is. Shall we go to my office?”
Rich looked around and smiled. “You’ve got a good crowd here this evening.”
I followed his gaze and replied, “It’s a good turnout for a Friday evening. I won’t complain.”
He laughed. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Shall we?” I asked, prompting him to walk ahead of me.
Once Rich started to make his way through the tables, I heard a familiar laugh. Looking in the direction it came from, I saw a woman with blond hair that flowed down her back. When the gentleman partially blocking the view moved, I saw it was Aurora. She wore a black dress, and her hair was down. I didn’t know her hair was so long because she almost always wore it up in a ponytail or piled on top of her head. I stopped walking and stared, as if it was the first time I had seen her. She must have felt me watching her because she turned, and our eyes met. A brilliant smile broke out across her face, and she lifted her hand to wave. I waved back, then quickly caught up to Rich, trying to ignore the pit of jealousy that sat in my stomach.
“Someone you know?” he asked. “She’s very beautiful.”
One more look back, and I nodded. “She’s a friend of mine. Her brother is my best friend.” Opening the door that led to the non-public side of The Muddled Moose, I asked, “Shall we?”
“Yes, of course,” Rich stated, but not before he shot one more look in Aurora’s direction. I was instantly agitated and had to push down the urge to move him along.
Once inside my office, I shut the door and motioned for him to take a seat. I rounded my desk and sat.
“Is she single?” Rich asked.
Frowning, I asked, “Is who single?” I knew damn well he was talking about Aurora.
“The best friend’s sister.”
Forcing a smile, I answered him. “No, I don’t believe she is. She’s dating someone who works for the city of Moose Village.”
“That’s a shame. I was hoping you could introduce me to her. I always like to have a side piece in each town where I own a restaurant.”
“Side. Piece?”
