“Not to me. I noticed there was furniture in the downstairs hall, so I thought I would be nice and move my Segway to make more room. The jerk had the nerve to get onto me about leaving my stuff in the way.”
“I’m sorry, Mercedes. I forgot to tell you Mr. Ivey was moving in today. It completely slipped my mind after Bob Lowman caught me in the alley to go over some details for the new apartment.”
Mercedes shuffled across the room. “Did Tony and Shelby approve the final reno changes?”
Tony, Carlita’s middle son, had recently become engaged to Shelby Townsend, one of Carlita’s tenants. Tony currently lived in a small efficiency on the lower level behind Savannah Swag, the pawnshop Carlita and her children owned. Shelby rented a two bedroom, one bath apartment across the hall.
The couple planned to move into a larger place, one where they would have room to expand their family and give Violet, Shelby’s daughter, siblings.
Carlita came up with the idea to add a larger apartment above the adjacent building, which would house Ravello, Carlita’s restaurant. The timing was perfect.
Since Ravello was close to being finished, Lowman’s crew was able to start working on the three bedroom, two-bath unit. The new apartment would be ready in time for the couple’s summer wedding, giving the family of three a new home to start their new life.
“Yes.” Carlita slowly nodded. “The apartment is coming along nicely. Which reminds me…” She slipped her reading glasses on and turned her attention to the computer screen. “I need to start running some ads to rent out Tony’s efficiency and Shelby’s apartment before the wedding.”
“I’ll let you handle the ads if you let me screen the tenants,” Mercedes muttered. “We don’t need another Sam Ivey moving in. One is enough.”
Carlita jotted a reminder note on her to-do list. “I’m sorry you two got off on the wrong foot. Once Mr. Ivey settles in, I’ll invite him to dinner, so we can all get better acquainted.”
“Remind me not to be here.” Mercedes walked into the kitchen and poured a glass of lemonade. “I thought you were supposed to meet Pirate Pete and Tori this afternoon.”
“Fudge! I completely forgot.” Carlita sprang from her chair and jogged to her bedroom.
“You forgot?” Mercedes trailed behind her mother. “You’ve been talking about this meeting all week.”
“I know.” Carlita grabbed her purse and hurried to the door. “Pete and Tori are excited about this new venture, but I’m not sure I can handle another business. Once Ravello is up and running, we’ll have our hands full running the restaurant and the pawnshop, not to mention being a landlord.”
“You might want to take the fire escape instead,” Mercedes joked. “Getting by our new tenant on the stairs is going to be impossible.”
“Mercedes,” her mother chided. “You need to give Sam Ivey a chance.”
“I think he hates me and he doesn’t even know me.”
Carlita stepped into the hall and Mercedes joined her. “Good luck at your meeting. Maybe Tori and Pete are looking for a silent partner.”
“I’ll find out soon enough. We’re meeting at Pete’s place. I’ll be back a little later.” Carlita sidestepped two men, who were carrying a couch up the stairs.
The new tenant stood at the bottom of the stairs, directing the movers. When Carlita reached the landing, she stopped to chat.
She could hear the tinkle of her mother’s laughter and Ivey’s low voice. He chuckled and patted Carlita’s arm before she stepped out of the building. Mercedes quickly slipped back inside the apartment, anxious to avoid another confrontation.
Carlita pulled the door shut behind her and then hurried to the sidewalk.
When she reached the entrance to the Parrot House, she stopped to catch her breath before stepping into the restaurant’s lobby and making her way to the hostess station. “Yes, I’m looking for Pete. I have a meeting with him at two o’clock.”
“Mrs. Garlucci?” The young woman smiled.
“Yes.”
“Follow me.”
Carlita followed the woman through the dining room and down a long hall to a door marked “Private.”
The woman rapped lightly before twisting the knob and leaning in. “Mrs. Garlucci is here.”
“Have her come in,” Pirate Pete’s booming voice echoed into the hall.
The young woman waited until Carlita was inside before closing the door behind her.
Pirate Pete made his way around the front of the desk to give Carlita a quick hug. She caught the faint smell of an expensive cigar mingled with an earthy cologne. The cologne reminded her of a scent Carlita’s deceased husband, Vinnie, had worn.
“I hope I’m not late.”
Gunner, Pete’s parrot, began to squawk. “You’re late.”
“Carlita is not late,” Pirate Pete scolded. “Mind your manners.”
“Gunner is handsome,” Gunner replied.
Carlita wandered over to the parrot’s cage. “Gunner is handsome. I’m sorry I’m late.”
“Time to walk the plank.”
“Maybe later,” Carlita chuckled.
“You’re not late and if Gunner doesn’t watch it, I’m going to cover his cage.”
“No!” Gunner screeched. “Don’t cover the cage.”
“Then behave yourself.” Pete motioned to the empty chair next to Tori. “Tori just got here, too.”
“Hello, Carlita. I was just telling Pete I’m thrilled you’re interested in our potential business venture.”
“I have my hands full with the pawnshop, the apartment rentals and soon, Ravello, my new restaurant, but I’m always open to new ideas.” Carlita settled into the seat and set her purse on the floor next to her. “I have to admit, I’m dying to hear what you two have up your sleeves.”
“Good!” Tori’s eyes twinkled. She turned to Pirate Pete, who resumed his place behind the desk. “I’ll let you tell Carlita what we have, as she says, ‘up our sleeves.’”
Chapter 2
Pete cleared
