18
Sam
“Of course,” the older man shook my hand, “we love Tiff and The Basement.We’d be happy to support you guys.”
“Thank you.I appreciate that,” I returned the handshake.“I’ll come back tomorrow with the paperwork drawn up.We can make things official.”
“Good to be doing business with you.‘Bout time the community started supporting each other.”
Walking the few feet back to the bar, I tried not to feel disheartened.I’d spent the day canvassing every to-go food place in a two-block radius of the bar.The proposal was this: I’d stock their menus if they agreed to deliver to the bar.It was a win-win: people who ate drank more, and vice versa.The Basement didn’t offer food, but we did have to compete with restaurants nearby, and this would allow us to cater to a wider customer base.
The problem was, none of the businesses I’d spoken to wanted to do it.Until now.I’d hoped for more, but I’d take it.It was a start.
Tiffany, of course, hated the idea.“This is meant to be a serious bar, not a fucking backpackers serving nachos and beer.”
I eyed her over the rim of my glasses before returning to my notes.I wanted to prepare the contract today so that I could take it to my lawyer in the morning.“It’s good business.”
She made a scoffing noise.“We should do something with the ceiling,” she said, with seemingly no segue.
With her attention on the ceiling, I stole glances of her across the booth, a habit of mine lately.A knit jumper hung asymmetrical across her chest, exposing one shoulder and most of her collarbone.Shadows dipped into the hollow of her throat.My fingers itched to reach out.
She was sporting a fresh shave, and I idly rubbed at my jaw, wondering how her hair might feel against my skin.How Tiffany might react.
Surreptitiously, I re-adjusted my posture, hoping to relieve the pressure against my dick.“I will be.Now that everything is removed, it will be repainted, and the lights will be replaced with pendants.”
The redesign of the back bar was already costing enough since it had to be custom-made pre-installation.Blessedly, the contractor I’d decided on had promised he would handle the city approval for the structural changes.Adding any further alterations to the bar was beyond my current budget.
“Or,” and I already disliked where this was headed, “we could keep the downlights and instead commission a mural.How old is this building anyway?We could make it subtle, too, like a trick of the light, where it looks like vintage molding.”
There it was again.We.A single word that concocted images of the two of us together.
“Thank you for the suggestion, but considering I am the only one who has successfully launched a bar before, I’ll stick to my original plan.”In my head, it had been meant as a friendly jibe.Dry.Sarcastic.Unfortunately, my ability to regulate my composure around Tiffany screwed with all normal human functions, so I sounded angry and pedantic.
“Sorry,” she said, in a tone that was far from it.“I thought you’d asked me to help.But if you want to make terrible decisions, go ahead.”Her stare was intense, lighting my blood on fire.
There was no escaping my growing attraction to her, which worried me.I was here to focus.To get my life back on track.Not sidetrack myself with impetuous decisions.
I had to end this conversation.If she had any idea of my completely unprofessional feelings, she’d probably punch me.And I’d deserve it.
“Is there anything you think that you don’t say?Sometimes, you could choose to keep your opinions to yourself.”
“Excuse me, did you lose your mind?I was only making a suggestion about the ceiling.”
“An unsolicited one.”
“Oh, so I guess you don’t need my help anymore?Or am I just forgetting the whole ‘Tiffany, I need you’ conversation we had last week?”
I flushed.If you only knew.“I most certainly never said I needed you.”
She threw her hands up.“Oh, my God, I don’t know why you ever thought we could work together on this.You ask for my help but don’t ever want to hear any of my suggestions.”
“I hear them.And if they were any good, I’d consider them.”
She groaned.“You’re impossible!”
“You’re quick-tempered and judgmental.”
She pushed angrily out of the booth, storming off towards the staff room.“And you’re self-important and uptight.”
