With that thought, I grabbed my keys and my notebook. It was time to get back to Pier and Table for the final touches.
By the time I arrived at the restaurant, the space was already buzzing with activity. Staff moved through the dining room, polishing glasses, adjusting place settings, and preparing for tonight’s soft opening. Lori was in the corner with her clipboard, her sharp voice cutting through the noise as she directed someone to rearrange the centerpiece on the bar.
I dropped my bag on a nearby counter and grabbed my notebook, ready to dive in. This was my last chance to make sure everything was perfect before the doors opened tonight.
“Natalie!” Lori called, waving me over. “We have a problem with the lighting in the private dining room. It’s too harsh, it’s killing the ambiance.”
“On it,” I said, following her through the room. I spent the next hour adjusting details: checking the lighting, testing themusic levels, and obsessing over every table setting. I couldn’t let myself relax, not when there was still so much to do.
Just as I was finalizing the arrangements for the outdoor seating, I spotted movement by the entrance. Will had walked in, looking handsome as always, but my stomach dropped when I saw who was with him. Lisa.
“Hey,” Will said, walking toward me with a coffee in hand. “Thought you could use this.”
“Thanks,” I said, accepting the cup but keeping my tone neutral. “What are you doing here?”
“I had to finalize some details with Lisa,” he said casually.
Lisa stepped forward, flashing a bright smile. “This place is stunning, Natalie. Really incredible work.”
“Thanks,” I replied, forcing a polite smile. “It will be fun to get moving on your space.” I lied.
I tried to stay focused, but Lisa’s gaze lingered on Will, and while I told myself it didn’t matter, it still made me uncomfortable. Before I could say anything else, Lori and Lucas came over together, both carrying their usual energy and efficiency.
“Natalie, we’ve got an issue with the dimmers,” Lori said, her words rapid-fire. “Lucas thinks the lights should be brighter for the opening, but I say it kills the mood. Thoughts?”
A wave of professionalism steadied me, like a lifeline. “Keep it low,” I said, flipping open my notebook. “The lighting is layered to draw people in and make the room feel intimate. If it’s too bright, you lose the warmth, and the energy falls flat. Everything has been designed to flow from the entryway to the last table, and the light sets the tone.”
Will lingered nearby, but I pretended not to notice as I walked with Lori and Lucas toward the bar. The conversation moved to logistics, and for a while, I was able to bury myself in the details.
When I finally turned back toward the entrance, Lisa and Will were heading out. Lisa gave me a quick wave, her expression cheerful. “See you tonight!”
Will caught my eye before leaving, his voice low. “I’ll pick you up at 5:30.”
“I was just going to Uber with Meredith,” I said, keeping my tone cool.
“Natalie,” he said, his eyes steady, “Evan and I will pick you ladies up. See you then.”
I nodded reluctantly, turning back to my notebook as they walked out.
Lori glanced at me with a raised eyebrow. “You two good?”
“We’re fine,” I said quickly. “I’m a hundred and ten percent focused on tonight.”
Lucas flipped through his notes, then looked up. “Shall we take one more pass through the space?”
“Good idea,” I said, following them toward the host stand, my eye catching on the entryway lighting and the alignment of the floral arrangements. Everything had to feel intentional the moment the first guest walked in.
By mid-afternoon, the restaurant was finally coming together. Each light glowed at just the right warmth, every table was set with precision, and the space carried the hum of anticipation. Lori, clipboard in hand, walked beside me through the dining room one last time, ticking off each element on her list.
“You’ve nailed it,” she said as we paused near the front doors. “This place is going to blow people away tonight.”
“Thanks, Lori,” I said, exhaling a small sigh of relief.
“But” she added, turning to me with a critical eye, “you look like you’ve been running a marathon. Go do something about that hair.”
“Will do,” I said without hesitation.
“And I mean it—get out of here,” she said, waving her clipboard at me. “You’re done for the day. Go get fabulous.”
