My whole body deflates in relief, immediately recognizing who the man is. The blood returns to my body, pumping through my veins at a normal pace. My chest swells, relishing in the air that’s now returned.
The man reaches out his hand. “Logan Moore. It’s good to see you.”
“Mr. James.” I return the gesture. I can feel myself smiling at the sight of him. “It’s good to see you as well.” I swallow. “What brings you down here?”
Gavin James is Seattle’s top architect and one of the richest men on the entire west coast. He’s also our biggest client. Nine months ago, he conducted a fundraiser for underprivileged youth throughout the world, declaring it a passion of his to help the less fortunate. Luckily, he’d hired our restaurant to cater it for him. Catering for Gavin had basically put us on the map with the west coast and our revenues have skyrocketed ever since. Max and I have also been forced to put in a strict reservation-only policy from the surge in customers.
“Well, Logan, I was hoping you and Max would be interested in catering another event for me. My firm will be throwing a fundraising gala in three months. I figured the last event went so well, I’d love to hire you again.”
“Three months?” I say, knowing three months isn’t typically enough time to prepare for an event like the kind Gavin tends to arrange.
“Yes, I hope that’s okay.” His eyebrows knit in concern, but his eyes remain soft. His kindness surprises me considering the field of work he’s in. “About twice a year, I try to put on a fundraiser and hold some sort of event. This one will be a bit more formal as I’m looking to put on a silent auction as well.”
I blow out a surprised breath, shocked that Gavin wanted to hire us once again. I maintain my composure, knowing Max wouldn’t pass up on this opportunity. Regardless, I know that when it comes to Max, you never assume. “I’ll have to speak with Max about it, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t agree to it.”
“Great.” Gavin grins. He pulls out his phone and starts tapping away at the screen. “I will let my secretary know to send you and Max both an email with the details of the event.” He hasn’t once looked back up at me, his fingers moving at a rapid pace. “You know, what style of cocktails and theme I’m looking for this time around. That sort of stuff.” Once Gavin’s fingers have stopped, he finally looks up from his phone, lifting his arm and flicking his wrist to look at his obviously way too expensive watch. “Oh, I’ve got to run.” Before I’m able to utter another word, Gavin quickly shakes my hand and starts backing up toward the front door. “Like I said, Logan, it was great to see you. I look forward to hearing from you and Max.”
Once I’m sure Gavin has left, I head back to the office to check on Natalie. I reach inside my pocket for my phone but when my hand comes up empty, I remember how I left it on my desk earlier.
When I reach the doorway to my office, I hear shuffling papers and the familiar squeak of my office chair. I stand in the doorway and find Natalie sitting in my chair. She sits up, straightening her back at the sight of me. “I—” she stutters nervously. “I’m sorry, Chef. I wasn’t sure what you wanted me to do so I figured it was probably best if I stayed in your office. I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation in case it was someone important here to see you.”
“Oh. It’s fine.” I sigh, spotting my phone beside my computer. Natalie’s eyes follow me as I reach out to pick it up, turning it over in my hand. The screen is already lit up. I figure it must be from a notification but when I type in my four-digit passcode, there are no new notifications. None. Instead, my phone is already open to my text thread with Lena. I must not have closed it out before I put my phone down to take inventory with Natalie earlier.
Beneath the last text I sent to Lena are five messages and all five are spaced out in fifteen-minute increments. Worried, I look at the time in the top corner of my screen. It’s after noon.
“Shit.”
“Is everything okay?” Natalie asks. She’s still sitting in my chair, her arm resting on my desk.
“I have to go.”
“Wait.” Natalie sits up, her eyes spread wide. “We’re done?”
“For today.” I swipe my Tic Tacs from my desk along with my keys. I promised Lena I would be home for lunch and I don’t want her thinking I completely forgot our date.
“But...”
I’m already out of my office and in the hallway when I stop and quickly turn to Natalie. “I’m sorry but I’m already late to meet my wife. Why don’t you come in at four tomorrow? We’ll go over the dinner menu before we open.”
I don’t allow enough time for Natalie to respond before I’m bolting out of the restaurant and to my car. I’m hoping to hell I don’t get stuck in traffic on my way home, imagining the look on Lena’s face when I walk in the door. Will she be disappointed? Will she be happy to see me? Will she look at me like she used to, like that night in the elevator after we stood in the rainstorm without a care, the same night we found the note in my apartment? Once I hit a red light, I take the opportunity to type out a quick message to Lena.
Me: I’m so sorry. Got stuck talking to a client. On my way. Love you.
My sentences are short and to the point. I’m frustrated for allowing myself to lose track of the time. As
