“Eve, I don’t know . . .”
“And take me along with you,” I say before I can chicken out.
“What?” His brow creases.
Here goes nothing.
“You admitted it yourself—both you and Reid are bad at business. I’m sure Mr. Knightly is going to want a business manager for the restaurant. I’m about to graduate with a bachelor’s in business, and I’ve been managing the Inn for the last two years. I’m qualified, and I have a bunch of fresh and new ideas, ones I can’t act on at the Inn because they’re so set in their ways. Let me be a part of this. Let me help you finish what you started.”
“You want to manage the restaurant?”
“Yes, I do, and I want you to make it mandatory that I’m a part of it.”
I might be overstepping, but I don’t care. I’m so sick of these two morons sulking around and not making true use of their God-given talent. They need someone to push them, to guide them down the path to success, and I have the tools to do that. Mr. Knightly won’t hire Reid without Eric . . . well, guess what, Eric is going to come with a plus-one as well. If they’re not going to take advantage of this amazing opportunity, then I’m going to make them . . . I’ll guilt them if I have to.
I have zero shame.
“I don’t know, Eve. That’s asking a lot.”
“You owe me,” I say, catching him off guard. “You owe me this. You owe it to Mom and Dad as well.”
“Eve . . .”
“Do you not trust me? Do you not trust in my ability to manage a restaurant?”
“This isn’t my choice to make,” he snaps back, hand to his chest. “I can’t just say you’re hired when it’s not my goddamn restaurant.”
“Then convince them why I would be great for the job. They want you, so make them see why they should want me too.” I catch my breath. “You even said it yourself, years ago—once I got my bachelor’s, you’d go into business with me, and we’d take over the restaurant industry. What happened to that dream, Eric? That was our dream.”
“It was.”
“Then help create another. I love you, Eric, and I’m so glad you’re back in town. Stay this time. Not just for me, but for Mom and Dad. You left me and our plans back here in Port Snow, so help make them a reality.” My voice cracks.
He leans back in his chair, my words hanging between us.
Then I see the tears in his eyes. “Shit, Eve,” he says. “I didn’t come here to fucking cry.”
I chuckle and toss my napkin at him. “But you came here for some sisterly advice, and here it is: You belong here, you were meant to cook with Reid, and you’re supposed to be doing something great with your talent. The opportunity is there, so snatch it up before you let it slip through your fingers.”
He smiles, eyes shining. “Looks like I need to set up a meeting with Mr. Knightly.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
REID
Reid: Fuck. FUCK! Eric Roberts is back in town.
Griffin: Oh shit! Is he taking the job?
Rogan: Does he know about you and Eve?
Brig: If he does, I didn’t tell him so don’t go blaming me.
Reid: No idea if he knows. He stopped by Eve’s last night when we were having dinner, but I bolted so fast I couldn’t even tell if he was suspicious.
Rogan: That couldn’t have been more obvious.
Griffin: But what about the job?
Brig: I just asked Tracker if he heard anything about Eric being in town and he said no. You still might be safe, bro.
Reid: No idea about the job. I was fucking blindsided last night, and now I feel like I’m about to lose my damn mind. What the hell do I do?
Rogan: What are you worried about?
Reid: Eric finding out about Eve and me. And fuck, I don’t even know what’s going on with us. I’ve been so all over the place that I’m surprised she even wanted to see me last night.
Brig: Yikes, sounds like trouble in paradise.
Rogan: Yeah, you’re kind of in a sticky situation.
Griffin: This is why you don’t date friends’ sisters.
Reid: Wow, you are all so fucking helpful. Thank you.
Brig: Not a problem.
Rogan: Any time.
Griffin: We are here to serve.
Reid: Fuck all of you.
Brig: ^^^ don’t take that personally, boys. He’s just projecting the anger he feels about his own decisions onto us.
Reid: I will pop all of your goddamn tires.
Brig: Now that’s just low, going after my cars. That’s so beneath you.
Reid: At least something is beneath me, unlike you . . .
Rogan: Oh damn.
Griffin: Ha, he’s talking about how you haven’t had sex in a really long time.
Brig: Thanks, Griffin. Wasn’t sure I got that (note the sarcasm). I’m saving myself for the woman I’m going to marry.
Reid: Either that or the curse passed over all of us and landed only on you.
Rogan: Ooo, that’s not going to go over well.
Griffin: [Homer Simpson backing into bushes GIF]
Brig: You mother FUCKER! You know how hard I’ve been working to cleanse my goddamn aura. Don’t be throwing that around if you don’t mean it.
Reid: Who says I didn’t mean it?
Rogan: Dude, you’re going to make him cry.
Griffin: And then I’m going to have to pick up the pieces.
Brig: I’m dying ALONE!!!!
Rogan: Good job, Reid.
Reid: At least I’m not the only miserable one now.
Dad: Meet me at the restaurant at four. Be sharp.
I stare down at the text message and then back up at the restaurant . . . or at least the space that my dad wants to make into a restaurant. I have no idea what he wants. All I got from him was this text and nothing more. I haven’t heard anything from Eric or Eve either. I sent her a text a few hours ago, asking her how she was and apologizing for bolting last night, but I haven’t heard anything back.
Why do I feel like I’m about to get bombarded?
Heaving a deep sigh, I scan the warehouse beside the Lobster Landing. Dad has kept up with its outward appearance, making sure it isn’t a sore thumb on the end of Main Street, but it serves no real purpose. With its white siding, its pitched roof with Cape Cod–style windows, and the giant LOBSTER LANDING sign painted on the side with an arrow pointing to the entrance, the building is used more for Instagram pictures than anything.
Pocketing my phone and trying not to let my nerves get to me, I make my way to the restaurant and pull open the door. A loud creak echoes through the hollow space, pulling the attention of three figures standing near the expansive windows that overlook the bay. From the sunlight pouring in, I can’t quite make out who the shadows are until I walk across the sealed concrete and step up next to them.
The first person I see is my dad, followed by Eric . . . and Eve?
“Reid, glad you could join us,” my dad says as he gestures to the space. “Won’t this be beautiful once it’s all done? They’ve already started on the floor plan, sectioning things off and putting in the proper wiring for what we need, but the design is still slightly up for debate. All I know is the kitchen and bathrooms have to be on the left.”
Err . . . did I miss something? Did I black out at some point and am now just waking up?