Then, I was treated to another nugget of his wisdom.
“See, Samuel,” Pierce said, and I was glad he couldn’t see my reaction because Sam wasn’t short for anything, and his assumption of that, and the false casualness of him using it, said a lot about him.“The thing you need to understand about working here is that we’re leading innovation for small bars across the country.It’s about more than just popularism here.You’ve got to have an edge.Now, don’t get me wrong, I know you have a reputation, but you need more than just some good press in this city.You’ve got to have substance.”
I very much doubted Stephen Pierce knew anything about substance, but I let him continue.
“You’ll find we’re not very welcoming to charlatans here.You might think you can coast on your reputation, but in Chicago, we demand a bit more than some song and dance.Just keep that in mind.Now, if you ever want to see what the best of the best looks like, you’ve got an open invitation to come by my bar, and I’ll show you what we do best.”
“I appreciate the offer, Stephen.”
“Steve, please.We’re all friends here.”I wanted nothing more than to disagree, but I’d played this game long enough now to swallow that instinct.
“Steve.Thank you for your insight.It’s been enlightening.”
“Of course.It’s a tough market out here.I thought I should warn you before you get your hopes up.”
It was a close call to not curse a blue streak after hanging up.Guys like Stephen Pierce were part and parcel of working in this industry, but that didn’t make it any easier to deal with them.
A slow grin spread as I tried to imagine Tiffany dealing with them.Now, that would be a sight to see.
Unfortunately, Stephen had had a point.While I was used to meeting the showy expectations of my old stomping ground, the research I’d done so far had shown that wouldn’t play in this market.And if I was going to have any chance of making this work—really making it work—then I needed to understand what would.And for that, I always preferred an insider’s perspective.
Harry answered my call quickly, and today the background was quiet.“I can’t remember the last time you called me this often.I’m going to get a complex.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest.I’d missed this.“I can hang up if you’d prefer.”
He laughed, a reminder of how relaxed he sounded these days.It was good to hear.“How are you?Can I assume this isn’t a personal call?”
“Yes and no.And I’m well.How much have you dealt with Stephen Pierce?”
His scoff told me that my initial perception had been correct.“Very little and yet enough for a lifetime.”
“That sounds about right.How much should I worry about him?”
“I couldn’t say.He’s a pompous ass, but I wasn’t the one lucky enough to deal with him.”
The implication was clear.“Tiffany.”
“Exactly.Why do you ask?”
“Research.From the few people I’ve spoken to, he’s the one the beat.Since I’m trying to understand the ins and outs of the market here, it was easier to go directly to the source.I’d hoped he be amenable to a supportive arrangement.But if the conversation I just had with him is any indication, he’s the last person I should be talking to.”
“I’m sorry to say I won’t be much help there.”
“Good thing I wasn’t asking you.”
“Yeah, ok, rub it in.You’re the successful one.”There wasn’t any malice in his tone, but I knew he had felt overshadowed in the past.
“Sorry.That’s not what I meant.”
“Sam, it’s ok.I was joking.Wow, you sound more wound up than I used to be.”
“Ok, now you’re just being cruel.”
“So, you can throw it but not take it, huh?”
“I see becoming a father has made you more mature.”
He laughed again, and I was interrupted from making any further comments by a sharp knock on the office door, seconds before a very familiar nest of thick blonde hair and bright green eyes appeared.
