tactic so I don’t have to deal with Mr. Big City Snark yet. I heard Wyatt moved here from Manhattan. Why? Why couldn’t he have stayed in the city?
I flag down one of our servers and pass Wyatt’s drink to her. It’s self-preservation. The less I interact with him, the better the chance I don’t dump a drink on his head. That wouldn’t be very hospitable of me.
After I check on things in the kitchen for the upcoming buffet dinner, I take another tour through the restaurant, making sure everyone’s enjoying drinks and appetizers, and reminding them of the fab silent auction items. I work hard to sound upbeat about the auction instead of desperate. My father left this place in such debt before his passing, no bank will give me a loan. Nasty surprise, that debt. He hid his financial troubles from me and my brothers out of some misguided need to protect us. He was a great dad, though, and stepped up after my mom passed when I was twelve.
Wyatt catches my eye. “Appetizers are good.”
Pleased that he finally said something positive about my place, I close the distance, stopping at his table. “Glad you’re enjoying them.”
He leans back in his chair. “Have you ever thought of upgrading the dinner menu?”
My temper flares, but I manage to keep a civil tone. “No. Locals love it.”
“Not saying it’s bad, just unoriginal. I mean, every meal comes with either French fries or baked potato. A new chef might bring some life to the place. Isn’t that what tonight’s fundraiser’s all about? Keeping this place open?” He taps the table. “With the right management, a better chef, this place has potential.”
I manage this place, and the chef is a family friend. I bare my teeth. “Seems you know a lot about the restaurant business.”
“Not at all. I just appreciate a good one.”
I jam my hands on my hips and glare at him. Obviously he thinks we’re a bad one! I’m so furious I can’t even speak.
He cocks his head. “Cindy, are you cross with me?”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” I snap. “Coming in here and insulting my place left and right! If you don’t like it, don’t come back.”
He arches a brow. “Since you own the place, maybe we could talk about some serious improvements. You don’t know what you don’t know, am I right?”
I bristle. “This place was my great-grandfather’s, passed down the generations, and now it’s mine.” I leave out that Drew is the one who actually inherited it and declared it a lost cause because of the debt dragging it down. I took it over rather than let him sell it. “It’s an institution in this town, and we’re doing just fine without your city snark. How dare you walk in here and spew your judgment over all of us!”
He smirks. “I don’t recall spewing.”
My heartbeat roars in my ears, anger clouding all good reason. I desperately want to smack that smirk off his face.
He gestures to his ale, which he barely touched. “I didn’t like this one. Could I get one of those local Connecticut ales you mentioned?”
I stare at his glass of ale. I want to throw it in his face and watch his shock as it drips down his beard, fancy sport coat, and dress shirt.
He chuckles. “That’s an evil look in your eye, Cindy. You’re thinking about dumping this drink on my head, aren’t you?”
How did he know? “Not at all,” I lie.
He leans close and smirks. “I dare you.”
Oh no he didn’t. He’s deliberately baiting me. I work for a cool collected tone. “It’s too bad you didn’t like your ale because that is the last drink you’re ever getting here.”
“Just because I said with a better chef this place has potential?”
It was that and a pile of other insults. I’m so done with this guy. I don’t care if he’s a newcomer and alone on New Year’s Eve. I turn on my heel and nearly run into Harper and her fiancé, Garrett, who probably heard everything.
“Syd, are you okay?” Harper asks, her brows furrowing over concerned hazel eyes. She’s wearing her dark brown curls down and her skin glows with good health.
I give her a hug. “So happy to see you!” I pull back. “You too, Garrett. I’ve got a table reserved just for you.” I gesture for them to follow me and head over to it, relieved to get away from that arrogant, critical, evil man. I will