chapter twenty-nine
nesto
The party was filling up, and people were coming around to the truck to get food. Everyone was asking lots of questions and sounded excited about OuNYe opening as a restaurant in the spring.
I was handing an order of our crab empanadas to one of the guests when I saw Easton heading toward us, looking pissed. I knew he was on the guest list but hadn’t seen him yet. We had a bar next to the truck serving drinks that complemented the menu, so I assumed he was gunning for it. But he came up to the counter and signaled me over. I had no idea whatit was about, but the expression on his face said he was not playing, so I told the guys I’d be back in a minute and climbed down.
“Hey man, what’s up?”
He pulled my arm until we were behind the truck, away from the guests milling around.
“I just sent away two state troopers who were asking questions about the immigration status of your employees.” He held up his hand and shook his head, looking even more pissed than before. “I know all your employees are authorized to work. I also told them they had no right to walk into a private home asking people for their papers, unless they had a warrant from a federal judge, which they obviously didn’t.”
I just stood there dumbfounded for a moment. I literally couldn’t make words. Then I finally breathed out, “I don’t understand.”
He sighed, “Jude called me this afternoon and said Misty had come into his office making cryptic comments about tonight and about your staff being ‘foreigners.’ He asked if there was anything I could do to stop them. I assured him it was almost certain there wasn’t much they could do, other than embarrass you and Harold, so I told him I’d keep an eye on things.”
My mind was going a thousand miles an hour. Misty had tried to fuck with my businessagain,and Jude had called up Easton Archer to make sure nothing happened. I never thought one could be filled with rage and elation at the same time, but that’s exactly what was happening to me.
“Jude called you?”
Easton’s face softened at my question and his lips turned up a bit. “Yes, and he warned me you might be pissed at us for getting involved, but he was dead set on making sure your big night went on without a hitch.” The lawyer chuckled, an impressed look on his face. “I got to tell you man, you bring a whole other side out in Jude. He told me Misty even threatened to take away some of the funding for his project, but he said he didn’t care. I think he would’ve driven out here and blocked the troopers himself if I’d said no.”
“He’s amazing.” And apparently still cares about me enough to call an ADA on my behalf.
“He’s a good guy. Listen, I told Harold about what happened, and he’s livid.”
“What? Easton?—”
I was about to go on another rant about people handling my business when I heard Misty’s shrill voice yelling at someone by the truck.
“This is garbage. Is this supposed to be food?”
I walked around the side and found Patrice trying and failing to calm her down. She looked drunk and mean, her teeth bared as he quietly spoke to her.
“Ma’am, if you’re not happy with this we can certainly make you something else. I’m sure there’s something on our menu that’ll appeal to you.”
She scoffed, looking him up and down. She was about to open her mouth when I stepped in between them. “We’re no longer serving this woman, Patrice. Ma’am, you need to leave.”
“I’m a guest at this party. You’ll serve me if I say so. I’ve never seen hired help this insolent.”
“That’s right, you’re a guest here and I’m not hired help. I’m hosting this party with Harold Sheridan, my business partner. I won’t tolerate you disrespecting me or my staff ever again.”
She looked like she was about to start yelling again, when I saw Mr. Sheridan and another man walking over to us.
“What have you done now?” The man whispered in Misty’s direction, as he came to stand next to us.
She ignored him and turned to Sheridan. “Harold, I’m sorry to see you’ve lost your edge. This business investment seems beneath you.”
“Thanks for your input, but like Mr. Vasquez just told you, he and I are hosting a party to announce our new business venture. There’s no place here for disrespectful people. I would’ve hoped you were better than to behave like this, but I see that’s not the case. The valet is bringing your car around. Have a good rest of your evening.”
He walked right past Misty toward me, ignoring the heated conversation between her and her husband as they walked off.
“Is everything all right here, Nesto? I apologize for what just happened. That was unacceptable. I want you to know that there will be consequences for this.”
“That woman’s been trying to mess with my business literally since the day I got to town,” I said. “I have no time to waste on her. We have an announcement to make.”
He gripped my shoulder and smiled. “Yes, we do. Everyone is raving about the food. I’ve had over three people ask about investment possibilities. I’ll give you a few minutes to regroup and I’ll come back so we can formally make the announcement for the restaurant together.” He clapped my back again and walked off in the direction of the house.
