“They’re both assholes.”
“True that.” She taps a finger against her chin. “Who’s going to manage the restaurant?”
“After being interrogated by the police on the day I saw you at the restaurant, I had a briefing with the PI team I hired. There was no doubt Étienne was crooked. Anticipating we’d be giving him the boot, I put the owner in touch with a placement agency that specializes in the restaurant business. I told him he needed to get the ball rolling. Right now, he’s in the process of hiring a new manager. He’s also going to hire an assistant manager. He wants the manager to be accountable to someone.”
“Good idea.”
“He’s also going to replace the bartender.”
“He was involved in the illegal poker games?”
“No, he was using the restaurant’s inventory as his personal liquor store where he could go shopping for free. The private investigators I hire are nothing but thorough.”
“This poor owner. He’s on the other side of the planet, and his employees are screwing him over.”
“Speaking of employees whoaren’tscrewing him over, I relayed what transpired on the day you got fired. He feels terrible you had to go through that. He’s more than happy to reinstate your job.”
Harley twists her lips. “I’m not sure I can brave showing my face at Grazie Mille ever again. I’d never be able to endure the embarrassment of being labeled clumsy, useless, and a disaster. Every little mistake will be magnified and anyone who was there on that humiliating day will see me as incompetent.”
I nod.
She’s right.
Most people will never know Tripp was caught on camera groping her, which is what caused the whole fiasco.
“So, working at a florist shop guarantees you’ll be making minimum wage,” I say. “And you don’t feel comfortable going back to your waitressing job.”
“I’ve been looking for work, but without references from the last job…”
“I’m sure the owner can remedy the situation.”
Her eyes light up. “Oh my God, that would be a game changer.”
“Consider it done.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” She stomps her feet on the floor and pumps the air. “Money, money, money, money. Money.”
“You could go back to your waitressing job, or you could explore something else.”
Her arms drop to her lap. “Like what?”
I hold her gaze for a long beat. “After we met in the Hamptons, I was curious, so I checked out your socials to find out more?—”
“And you had the audacity of accusing me of stalking you? Mr. Lindstro¨m I invite you to look in the mirror.”
I shake my head at her.
She grins wide.
“Like I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, I wanted to know what you did as a corporate floral designer, so I checked out your social media. You had amassed a sizable following without ever showing your face. The focus was on the stunning bouquet design. You’re a gorgeous woman. You could’ve used your looks to grow your presence online, but you didn’t use your assets. You used your talent.”
She blushes and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I wanted the focus to be on With A Flourish Floral Design, not on my outfits or my makeup.”
“Smart. Did you go dark because of the debacle with the business partners?”
Her eyes widen.
“You were out for five hours. I was able to get a lot done during that time.”
