I didn't want to insult anyone else's taste, but black on black on black with a hint of red wasn't on brand for my restaurants. My wardrobe, maybe. My workplace, no.
"How did you find this place?" I asked Archer.
"I used to eat here," he said, turning a light switch on and off. "The previous owner, Elvira, that's what she called herself, made the best Korean barbecue I ever had."
"She sounds like an interesting woman," I said. I wish I'd known her. She sounded like my kind of eccentric person.
"You would have liked her," Archer said. "She would have enjoyed barbecuing Zeus."
Cass, who was peering into the kitchen, made a gagging sound and turned around to wrinkle his nose at Archer. "Can we not talk about eating people?" he asked.
"Technically I was talking aboutcookingpeople," Archer said, with a shrug and a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"Like that's so different." Cass smirked at him.
"Actually the difference is quite significant," Archer said, continuing this particular line of shit stirring. "You can eat things without cooking them. And cook things without eating them. The two aren't mutually exclusive."
"Yes, but youmeantcooking, then eating," Cass said.
"Ignore him," I told Cass. "He's trying to get a rise out of you by being pedantic."
"I figured," Cass said, playfully glaring at Archer before turning back to the kitchen. "This is really nice. I think you should buy the place."
"I have enough trouble finding staff for Angel's Rest," I pointed out. I was glad for the vote of confidence, but being confident in it myself? That was a whole other story.
"That won't be a problem for much longer," Archer said. "After tonight you'll be able to trust anyone you hire."
I wasn't sure if it'd be that simple, but it sounded good.
"I'll have to give it some thought," I said. "Crunch the numbers, talk to my accountant. All that stuff."
"But you'll buy the place, right?" Cass asked.
"I think you should," Archer agreed. "I mean, look at these curtains." He grabbed one that draped beside the window and drew it across, then the one on the other side, blocking off the view of the street. The curtains were black velvet, thick and heavy. They must have cost a small fortune, but they added to the vampire vibe of the place.
"Those have to go," I said.
"Sounds like she's made up her mind," Cass said, teasing gently. He grinned at Archer.
Archer responded with a faint smile. "We can be convincing when we want to."
"Very convincing," Cass agreed. "I bet if all those curtains were closed, it'd be pitch black in here."
"Are you going to test that theory?" I asked.
"Maybe I will." Cass strode over to close the other three sets of curtains. The only light was that which came through the door.
"I have to rethink my suggestion this place was vampiric," I said, wrinkling my nose.
"It looks more like a mausoleum," Cass said. He grinned but it didn't quite meet his eyes. Every so often he'd glance toward the door, or the back of the restaurant.
I took a look at my watch to check the time.
Archer nodded.
I swallowed hard and walked over to give Cass a hug. "We'll be right in back, okay?"
He nodded quickly. "Okay."
