Page 3 of Sam (Eye Candy Ink)

I kept in touch with Zeke even after he left and after I graduated and had opened up Lola, my first restaurant, I invited him out to see me. He was in California at the time but he came and ended up crashing on my couch for a week before he announced that he was sick of working for other people and that he was going to open his own place. I helped him find a place downtown and then became a silent partner in it. Then, when Zeke lost a bet to me, I got to name it and voila, Eye Candy Ink was born.

I love opening new places. I love fixing all of the little problems that pop up along the way. I love designing menus and figuring out the best location and ways to make each place stand out so that they become a success. I love the challenge of all of it but most of all, I just love controlling everything, having my decisions and planning be turned into a success.

Being a successful restaurateur hasn’t left me with much time for dating or finding someone. I work long hours until the place is open and then I keep working, managing them after they’re open. No one has ever tempted me before but something about Sam has me wanting to cut back on my hours.

I had wondered what she was going to do with that asshole who was hitting on her when I first got here. She was gorgeous, even with that bored out of her mind look on her face as she listened to him ramble on and on. I could tell that she wasn’t interested in him and I had almost gotten up to help her get rid of him but something tells me that Sam doesn’t like taking help from guys. She’s more than capable of taking care of herself. She handled him like a champ and I wonder if that happens often. Maybe I could ask Zeke.

“How’s the club coming along? Are you all ready for opening night?” Zeke asks as he takes a seat behind his desk.

“Yeah, I think so. I’m curious to see how it goes.”

He rolls his eyes at that. “It will be great and you know it.”

I grin at him, resting my foot on my knee as I lean back in my chair.

“So, what’s the deal with Sam?”

Zeke’s eyebrows rise so high that they almost touch his hair.

“When are you getting a haircut?” I ask before he can answer me and he flips me off.

“Chicks dig the long hair.”

“How would you know that? You haven’t been out on a date or with a woman in years, maybe even decades.”

“Fuck you, it hasn’t been that long.”

“Yes it has!” A voice behind me says and I turn around, grinning when I see Mischa leaning against the doorframe.

He’s wearing all black, that usual shit eating grin on his face and I stand up to hug him.

“Hey, Misch!” I say, pulling him into a hug before he can dart away.

“Get off of me,” he says, but his tone is still playful. “I came here to mess with Zeke not to have you hanging all over me.”

“I don’t think you can make fun of anyone’s relationship status, kid.” I tell him, ruffling his hair before I head back to my chair.

“Actually, Mischa has a girlfriend now,” Zeke says and he’s grinning evilly at Mischa.

Mischa glares back at him as he plops down in the chair next to me.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” he mumbles and I raise my eyebrow at him.

“Mischa has a girlfriend. Has hell frozen over?”

He flips me off as Zeke and I laugh.

“Must be some girl. Does she have any friends for Zeke?”

“No, her friend is dating Atlas,” Zeke says before Mischa can answer me.

“Good for him.”

“Alright, I came back here to pick on Zeke and if that’s not going to happen then I’m out. See you tomorrow, dad. Later, Uncle Max!”

Zeke and I both flip him off and he laughs and heads out the door.

“When are you going to fire that kid?”

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