Josie felt like dropping to her knees and crying with relief, but how had this happened? “I don’t know what to say. What changed?”
“Ever heard that you shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth?” Eve raised her eyebrows.
“In my experience, when things seem too good to be true, they usually are,” Josie said. “A few hours ago, you were one hundred percent against having me on your show. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to want to understand why you’ve had a change of heart. In fact, I wouldn’t be a very good business owner if I just blindly accepted that you suddenly had my and Swanson’s best interests at heart, when you so plainly hate bars.”
Eve stared at her for another long moment, eyes narrowed, lips parted as if deciding how to respond. “If you must know, it was taken out of my hands. The network executives want you on the show.”
“Oh.” Josie gripped the bar top. “They do?”
“My producer overheard your little speech earlier, and she was very impressed.” The ghost of a smile touched her lips. “Well done.”
“Holy shit.” Josie grinned in spite of herself. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re…okay with this? You’re not secretly going to sabotage me or something?”
Eve’s chin lifted, just slightly. “I’m not thrilled about it, but you have my word that I’ll do everything I can to help you and Swanson’s succeed.”
Josie bounced on her toes, wishing Adam or Kaia were here, someone to share her excitement.You’d be so proud of me right now, Dad.“Wow. I just…wow.” She blinked through her suddenly watery eyes.
“It’s important that you understand the terms of the contract,” Eve said. “I’ll leave a copy of it here with you, and you should go over it with a lawyer, but basically, you’re giving me full control. I’ll make any decisions I see fit to rebrand Swanson’s for theDo Oversegment. That’s how it works.”
“Full control?” Josie repeated, her gut tightening. That was a big deal, and despite what she said, Eve didn’t like bars. She’d been particularly hellbent on not helping this one. Could Josie really trust her to have Swanson’s best interests at heart? Or even to know what was best for a bar if it was outside her usual wheelhouse?
“I have free rein to do or change anything as I see fit,” Eve confirmed.
“What if I hate it?”
“Then you can make your own changes after I’m gone.” Eve’s dark eyes locked on Josie’s, laser sharp.
“I don’t know, Eve…” She pinched her bottom lip between her teeth. This bar had been her dad’s pride and joy. What if Eve turned it into something he would have hated?
“You have to trust my judgment,” Eve said. “You watch the show, right?”
“Yes.”
“And do you usually approve of my decisions?”
“Except when you make the owners cry.” She exhaled on a small laugh, watching as something almost like amusement sparkled in Eve’s eyes.
“Only when they’re idiots. Or when they’re not doing as I ask.”
“I’m not that good at following orders,” Josie admitted, pressing a hand against her forehead. “If I disagree, I’m going to tell you.”
“I would expect you to, and I’ll try to take your concerns into account, but ultimately, I get the final say.”
“All right. I’ll go over the contract this weekend and have a friend of mine who’s a lawyer take a look at it, but unofficially, we have a deal.” She extended her hand.
Eve took it, her grip warm and firm. “Regardless of what you may think of me, I’ll save your bar.”
6
Eve stepped through Swanson’s front door promptly at noon on Tuesday, box of kittens in her arms and briefcase slung over her shoulder. Her back screamed in insult as she made her way to the bar, gingerly sliding the box onto its sleek surface. It had been five days since she offered Josie the spot on her show, six days since she pulled these kittens out of the trash, and Eve’s nerves were frayed beyond repair.
She’d been in the bar all of ten seconds, and already she wanted to scream. Or cry. One of the two. She wouldn’t do either.
Josie walked out from the back, dressed in turquoise pants that were a perfect match for her hair and a black T-shirt, a hesitant smile on her face. She approached the bar and peered into the box. “They’re doing great, Eve. Look how big they are!”
