I stopped short again. “What?”
Poor Liza’s honey-toned face looked on the verge of fear at what she saw on my face.
“I can’t reschedule the meeting with Mr. Crawford. His assistant specifically told me that Mr. Crawford was out of town and would be out of reach until he returned tomorrow evening. He’ll be heading straight to dinner from the airport.”
I closed my eyes, counting backward from ten to one. It’d be rude to try and catch Richard from the airport and tell him we’d scheduled at a different restaurant. I’m sure the reservation was already set up.
“Okay. What’s done is done.” I caught the quizzical look Liza gave me as I pivoted to head to my office. I couldn’t blame her. I’d never informed her not to schedule a meeting atGrant’sor any other restaurant. And since she and I weren’t personal friends, I couldn’t very well tell her I wanted to avoid that place since the owner and I had broken up.
“It’ll be fine,” I mumbled to myself as I entered my office. Xavier owned plenty of restaurants, any one of them he might frequent on a Friday night. What are the chances he’d be atGrant’sthe following evening? I was probably worrying over nothing.
Chapter Six
Chanel
I was hit by the music from the live jazz band as soon as I opened the door.I recognized a rendition of Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much”.I loved this song and felt the rhythm, and good vibes of this place hit my soul as I entered. I’d missed coming here over the last month. I was finally able to admit that to myself. As much as Xavier was a behind-the-scenes owner, his fingerprints were all over this place, more so than any of his other establishments. I guessed that was because this place was the one he put the most of himself into, having named it after his mother and all.
“Hello, beautiful.”
I smiled at Joel. “Hey, you’re hosting tonight?”
Joel was one of the bartenders on weekend nights. It was a surprise to see him not behind the bar but instead taking names for tables.
“For a little while. We’re short-staffed tonight, so they called me in to cover for the hostess who got sick. I was supposed to have the evening off.”
“That sucks.”
He shrugged. “Not really. Boss man already called another employee to act as hostess so I can hop behind the bar. Tips are the best on Friday and Saturday nights.”
I gave him a half-smile but didn’t say anything. I silently hoped he was referring to the restaurant manager and not Xavier when he mentionedboss man.
“I’m meeting someone here. The reservation should be under Crawford,” I informed him.
“Let’s see…” He ran his finger down the clipboard of names. “Here it is. And Mr. Crawford has already arrived. You’re at table two. Right this way.” I followed as he made his way through the dining area toward the back to a line of booths.
“There she is.” Richard Crawford stood as we approached. He was about six feet tall with sandy blond hair and a brawny build that was easily attributed to his years in construction. Richard was a successful real estate developer in the Houston area. “Hello, darlin’.” He greeted me with a kiss on the cheek which, although atypical for a client-attorney relationship, spoke to Richard’s charming personality. He was a natural flirt, which also explained why this was his third divorce.
“Richard,” I greeted him. “Thank you, Joel.”
“Your waiter will be with you shortly,” Joel stated before nodding at both Richard and me, and leaving.
“How was your trip?” I questioned Richard as he sat down.
“It was excellent, darlin’,’” he stated in that southern Texas lilt I’d missed so much while living away from home. “We’re making good progress on this next project, and getting ready to break ground on another site in Dallas.”
“Sounds busy.”
Richard was interrupted when our waiter returned to pour us glasses of water.
“You drinkin’ tonight?”
I smiled. “Amaretto sour for me.”
“That’s one amaretto sour for the lady and a scotch for me. And keep ‘em coming.”
“Oh no, just one for me, thank you. Unlike you, I’m driving tonight.”
Richard let out a belly laugh. “Hell, darlin’, I just got back from a weeklong trip on site with a bunch of construction guys. I plan on taking advantage of being in the presence of a beautiful woman tonight.” He gave me a wink.
