He sounded a lot like his mother, Dani thought, holding in a grin. She was impressed the two of them could work together day after day and not kill each other.
“We’re a close staff,” he said. “Most of my servers have worked here for years. Over half the clients are regulars. You know what that means?”
Dani knew he wasn’t just making conversation. The interview had officially begun.
“Regulars are a steady cash flow, so you want to keep them happy,” she said easily. “They like what they like. Some resist change. They have higher expectations. They want to be remembered and treated as special because they’re giving something money can’t buy—loyalty.”
“Exactly.” He sounded pleased. “For a while our customers were mostly older family and retirees. Aging. Then the neighborhood began to change. Suddenly we’re hip. Or in. I can’t keep up with the right term. Which means I’m neither, right?”
Dani smiled at him. He was terrific. For a second she wanted to agree with Mama Giuseppe—it’s too bad that Bernie wasn’t closer to her age.
“So now we’re getting a younger crowd. I thought they’d clash with our regulars, but they don’t. It’s nice to see newlyweds and college kids around.”
He passed her a menu. “We’re traditional here. Mama sees to that. Our head chef answers to her. Nick has been here ten years and when he and Mama start screaming at each other, it’s better to duck and run.” He chuckled. “Lucky for you, they argue in Italian, so you’ll miss most of it.”
He flipped through a couple of papers. “What else? No real staff problems right now, but they come up. The older servers can resent new staff, but they work it out. The restaurant runs fairly smoothly, but there are always hassles.”
He paused and Dani sensed he was waiting for her to elaborate on what the hassles could be.
“Late deliveries, missing linens, a batch of bad wine, an off dish that everyone starts sending back,” she said. “The party of twenty that booked the private room changes their mind about the menu a half hour before they show up. That sort of thing?”
Bernie nodded. “Right. Good. Okay, then let’s talk about your experience.”
Over the next hour, she was grilled on everything from her college education to handling the temporary head chef while Penny had been on maternity leave.
When she’d finished, Bernie leaned back in his chair. “We want someone to start right away,” he said. “Are you available?”
Dani nodded. “I’ve given my notice at The Waterfront. I can leave anytime.”
“You’re clear on the fact that my mother is a big part of the restaurant? She’s going to get involved and tell you what to do. She’ll swear she won’t, but don’t believe her for a second.”
“I like your mother,” Dani admitted with a grin. “We’ll work well together.”
“Then the job is yours, if you want it.” He named an impressive salary. “You’ll get a cut of the profits. I’d like you to start out during the day. It’s not so crazy then and you can feel your way. Once you’re up to speed, we’ll split shifts, so neither of us is always working nights.”
Dani stared at him. “You’re offering me the job? Just like that?”
“Just like that. I go with my gut. You’ll do well here, Dani. So what do you think?”
LORI TRIED TO FOCUS on the fact that Reid had asked her out to dinner—like a date. Because worrying about a date was far less scary than thinking about meeting the board that would direct Reid’s new foundation.
Nothing was official. The lawyers were still drawing up papers, but everyone was getting together to discuss direction, purpose, a mission statement.
Lori had gone online the previous evening to figure out what a mission statement was. She’d looked at other charities to find out what they were trying to do with their money. In a way it was good she was so scared about the board meeting because it distracted her from what her sister had said a couple of days ago, when they’d watched Reid taping his interview. That he’d put himself in the public eye and had endured humiliation for her. She couldn’t seem to get her mind around that.
While it didn’t rank as high as Kyle Reese’s “I crossed time for you, Sarah Connor” in the first Terminator movie, it was damn close. A guy like Reid having to defend his sexual performance on national television was way worse than any punishment she could come up with—and yet he’d done it willingly. It had even been his idea.
Had he really done it for her? Because he cared about her? The possibility made her chest tighten and her eyes burn. She was afraid to believe, because if she believed, she would have to admit she’d fallen in love with him.
They parked in the lot of the Doubletree Hotel in Bellevue and walked into the foyer. Reid took her hand in his and led the way to the conference room he’d rented for the meeting.
“I’m nervous,” she admitted.
“Then we can be nervous together.”
She looked at him. “Why are you worried? You’re doing an incredible thing.”
“I’m some dumb jock who’s been front page gossip. I picked a hell of a board. Why will important people with expertise in what I want to do take me seriously?”
“Because you have the checkbook.”
“I want to be more than just the name on the building,” he told her. “I’d rather not use my name at all, but I know I’ll be a good front man.” He shrugged.
She put her hand on his chest. “You’re doing the right thing. I swear you are. I’m impressed. Seriously.”
His gaze locked with hers. “That means a lot to me.”
“I’m glad, because it’s true.”
They smiled at each other, then Reid squared his shoulders. “Ready?”
She nodded even though she wasn’t and they walked into the conference room.
Eight people already sat there. Five men and three women. They were all over forty, well-dressed and chatting as if they knew each other.
Lori instantly felt out of place. It wasn’t her clothes—she’d had Madeline help her pick out a conservative but attractive skirt and jacket, and her shoes were new and more expensive than she wanted to admit. It was that these people were some of the richest and most successful in the country and she was a girl who had grown up in a double-wide.
Reid introduced everyone. There were two CEOs, a founding executive from Microsoft, a woman whose family owned banks and other people who professionally gave away millions.
When they were seated, Reid began.
“I appreciate each of you agreeing to serve on my board. I don’t know most of you—my business manager gave me a list of names and I started asking around. You’re the best at what you do and I’m going to need that. I have no experience with philanthropy, but that’s about to change. I want to improve the world, one kid at a time, through sports. That’s my mission statement. It may be as simple as new cleats for football season or as complex as designing and building a stadium after a hurricane. Let the other charities take on diseases, I want us to figure out ways to improve kids’ lives through sports of all kinds.”
“We have a good financial start,” one of the men said.
“I agree.” Reid leaned forward. “I’m hoping we’ll have more. I’ve never been one for endorsement deals, but I’m willing to do them now. All the money I earn for speaking for companies willing to pay will go back into the foundation. I’m going to use my name and my former career to get into places most people can’t. I want to bring attention to where it’s needed. If that means taking a couple of hits from the press, I’m willing to do it.”
He stood. “Each of you brings expertise to the table. For some of you, it’s managing money. Others have a gift for finding out where that money should go. If you’re wondering about Lori’s job.” He nodded at her. “She’s here to keep us grounded. Her professional background is in nursing. She knows how to deal with people going through a rough time. She’ll keep us on track.”
He smiled at her.
“Okay, now I’m breathing hard and I’m happily married.”
“Tell me about it,” Lori whispered back.
Reid continued to talk about what he wanted them to accomplish. As she listened she wondered if this was a dream. All her life she’d been too afraid to go for the happy ending. This time she wanted it enough to try. Enough to risk her heart and the possible fall that waited just out of reach.
REID PARKED at the edge of the dock. “I know it’s not a restaurant. Is this okay?”
Lori looked around at the lake, the twinkling lights of the houses on the other side, and the tidy row of houseboats at the end of the dock.
“It’s great,” she said. “Are you cooking?”
He grinned. “Not a chance. Food will be delivered later. Come on. I’ve been gone long enough that there shouldn’t be any press lurking around.”
He led the way to the houseboat. As Lori breathed in the damp air and the scent of water and plants, she realized that if the press really had backed off, then Reid didn’t have any reason to stay at Gloria’s house much longer. Which meant she wouldn’t be seeing him as much.
The thought saddened her, so she pushed it away and instead concentrated on the two-story houseboat in front of her.
The structure was dark blue with white trim around the many windows and set away from the neighbors. Planters lined the walkway leading to the front door. Reid unlocked the door, then leaned in and hit a couple of light switches. Lori stepped into a surprisingly open space done in leather and wood.
There was a fireplace and a view of the lights, hardwood floors, warm area rugs and a staircase leading to the second floor.
Beyond the living room was a dining area and a doorway to what looked to be an impressive kitchen. On the other side was a study.
Everything was perfect. Bookshelves lined the angled stairway, taking advantage of unused space. There were trunks in corners, display shelves, welcoming colors and a real sense of home.
“It’s beautiful,” she told him. “Really perfect and amazing. I thought you’d be more the high-rise condo type.”
He shrugged. “I looked at some, but then I saw this place and I bought it the same day. It was old, so we gutted the place and built new.”
“We?” She did her best to hold in a wave of jealousy. “Let me guess. Tall, blond, big boobs and Southern?”
Reid moved toward her and kissed her. “You think you know everything, but you’re wrong. My decorator was a guy and I didn’t sleep with him.”
A guy? She liked that.
“Before you can ask,” he said, touching her face, then easing his fingers into her hair. “I don’t bring women here. This is my place. It’s private. You’re the first.”
If she hadn’t already been in love with him, that single statement probably would have pushed her over the edge. She drew in a breath, not sure what she wanted to say, only to be saved from possibly confessing something she might regret by a knock on the door.
Reid released her and let in a delivery guy. After paying the man, he took the two shopping bags from him and walked into the kitchen.
“Chicken marsala, pasta, a salad and a special decadent cake for dessert,” he told her. “I went with chocolate because I know you go crazy for it.” He grinned. “I’m trying to seduce you. How am I doing so far?”
He was the best-looking man she’d ever seen, but that didn’t seem to matter anymore. While the chemical attraction was still as powerful as ever and probably would be as long as she drew breath, it wasn’t the reason she was here.
She was here because of who he was. He hadn’t seduced her with his body—he’d seduced her with his soul. The man inside, the heart of him, called to her with a song she couldn’t resist.
She crossed to him, took the bags from him and set them on the counter. Then she leaned close and kissed him.
“I don’t need chocolate,” she whispered against his mouth. “Not when I have you.”
“Tonight you get to have both. Pretty close to heaven, huh?”
She smiled. “Closer than you know.”
“I’M GOING TO cut your sandwich into tiny bites and then feed them to you,” Reid said with a grin. “Later, I’ll read to you.”
His grandmother glared at him. “You’ll do no such thing. I might still be recovering from a broken hip, but I’m strong enough to throw things at your head.”
“But can you hit me?” he asked. “I’m not sure about your aim.”
“Where do you think you inherited your pitching ability?” Gloria’s mouth pulled on the corners, as if she were trying not to smile. “You’re in a good mood this morning. Why is that?”
Because, for once, his life was working. Ever since he blew out his shoulder and had to retire from baseball he’d wondered what the hell he was going to do with himself. Baseball had been his world. At last there were possibilities.
“I’m at one with the universe,” he joked. “I have a serene spirit.”
Gloria rolled her eyes. “You’re annoying, but I’m going to put up with it. Starting the foundation was the right decision.”
He didn’t need her approval, but it was good to hear the words. “I think so.”
“I’m not happy about your interviews. You’ve humiliated the entire family.”
No change was perfect, he thought as he pulled up a chair and sat down. “It’s necessary and the price of getting my message out.”
Gloria lay on her bed. She’d been dressing for the past couple of weeks and getting her hair done. Except for the fact that she wore casual clothing instead of power suits, she looked much as she always had. The frail and broken woman from a couple of months ago had disappeared.
“You’re healing,” he said. “That’s good.” “It was get better or die,” his grandmother said. “Lori pushed me, but she was right to do it.” Her eyes narrowed. “I know you’re seeing her.”
Not a surprise. They hadn’t been subtle or secretive. “Yes, I am.”
“How serious are things?”
“I’m not discussing my personal life with you.”
“Why not? I’m your grandmother.”
He grinned. “I’m actually clear on our relationship. You’ve been my grandmother most of my life.”
She sighed. “You’re tremendously annoying.”
“Charming. You meant to say charming.”
“I did not. I want to talk about Lori.”
“Talk away.”
“I want to know what you’re doing with her.”
He knew she meant in a relationship sense, not a sexual sense, but either way, he wasn’t talking. There were a couple of reasons. Keeping Gloria out of his personal business made a lot of sense. Just as important, he didn’t know how to answer the question.
He knew Lori mattered. She mattered a lot. He didn’t want to think about his feelings or define them, but they were there. Growing. He felt good when he was around her and he missed her when he wasn’t. For now, that was enough.
“Reid,” his grandmother snapped. “I asked you a question.”
“Lori is off-limits.”
“I could say the same thing to you.”
“I know you care about her. So do I.”
“I’m not going to break her heart,” Gloria told him. “You very well may.”
“I won’t,” he said and meant it. “Besides, how do you know she won’t be the one hurting me?”
His grandmother didn’t say anything. Instead she looked out the window, as if she knew something she didn’t want to tell him. Had she and Lori talked? But before he could ask, his grandmother said, “I’ve heard there have been calls about donating. How is that going?”
“Good. No matches yet. Madeline’s blood type isn’t going to make matching easy, but it’s possible. The good news is a guy whose liver was seriously damaged in a car accident in Kansa
s is getting a new liver. So one life was saved.”
“Does that make it worth it?” she asked. “I’ve seen the interviews. They’re not being easy on you.”
If being publicly humiliated about his sexual performance on national television counted as “not being easy” then she was right.
“It’s worth it,” he told her. “Even if no one’s life was saved, it would still be worth it. People need to donate and I’m reminding them of that.”
His grandmother reached for his hand. He leaned forward and grabbed her fingers.
“I’m proud of you,” she told him.
“Thanks,” he said, and meant it. For reasons he couldn’t begin to explain her words mattered. A lot.
Chapter Eighteen
DANI TOSSED her car keys to the valet and then hurried into the restaurant. She saw Gary waiting by the window and rushed up to him.
“I’m late,” she said by way of greeting. “I’m sorry. It’s only my second day at the restaurant and there’s so much to learn. I lost track of time.”
Gary smiled at her, then stunned her by leaning in and kissing her cheek. “Hi. I’m not mad. You look happy.”
“I am. I love my job. I know it’s early and I’m still in the fun part of work, but I love it. I love the staff, the customers. I adore the food. It’s amazing. I may actually have to start exercising to keep from gaining weight.”
She kept talking—make that babbling—some from excitement, but mostly out of shock. Sure, Gary’s light brush across her cheek was hardly newsworthy, but his caress had been unexpected. Nice, but unexpected.
She resisted the need to put her fingers on the spot his mouth had been as she tried to figure out what she felt. There hadn’t been any kind of zing of excitement, but that was okay, right? Sex wasn’t everything. Gary might not make her thighs go up in flames, but she liked him.
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