“Wow.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah. Locked up abroad seems like a much worse punishment than whatever the Manhattan DA was going to slap her on the wrist with for what she did to me.”
“Here, here,” Zach said, raising his glass.
“So, Sammy,” Evie went on before she stared into Zach’s gorgeous brown eyes a bit too long. “Talk to me. What’s this project you’ve got going on?”
“We want to invest in your restaurant.”
“’Scuse me, what?”
“Miss Leona told us about your plans pre- and post-Dish, and we want to help. I’m kicking in some funds, so are the parents. You’ll get a check from Zack and Jesse, and Miss Leona will cover the rest.”
“I’m sorry. ’Scuse me? Your parents?”
“I talked to them. Both of them, and they couldn’t deny that it would be a good investment,” Zach said.
“This is gonna be one hundred percent your show,” Sam went on. “We’re gonna be silent partners. You won’t have any Pleasants following you around, second-guessing your every move. This will be your baby.”
“Well—” Zach cut in.
“Well what? Bring on the catch, Pleasant,” she said.
“There’s no catch. I just want to offer my assistance. I have over ten years’ experience in hospitality. More, if you count the years I helped out Granddad.”
“What about the ranch? I’m surprised you’re here now.”
“Jesse and I decided I don’t need to be so hands-on day to day. I’ve been giving a little too much of myself to the guests. We created a position for Delfi. She’s now the general manager and we promoted Lilah too. Teaching her more of the business.”
“I—that’s great. For all of you.”
“There’s more,” Zach said, cautiously.
“Celia Lamontagne wants to make a documentary about the whole process,” Sam blurted out.
“How in the—” Evie stopped herself from screaming in the middle of a crowded restaurant. Celia Lamontagne was only her favorite writer/director. She was fairly new on the scene, but she’d already directed five award-winning films and won an Oscar forA New Day, a documentary on Black women and midwifery. Evie would do anything just to breathe this woman’s air.
“How did Celia Lamontagne get involved in all this?”
“I ran into her after the SAG Awards,” Sam explained. “And somehow we got on the subject of you. I brought up your dreams for a restaurant and she pitched me the idea. She told me she actually voted for you as fan favorite when you were onSupreme Chef.”
“I’m not freaking out, but Celia Lamontagne knows who I am.”
“She wants to do a doc about you. She thought the idea of following a young Black female chef trying to break ground in a tough business would make for great material. Say the word and she’ll start making some calls.”
“Think about how many customers the doc alone could drive through the door,” Zach said. She looked over at him and considered everything they were offering. Money and support. She wanted to jump at the chance. It would be foolish to turn down such an amazing, generous offer. Of course, it came with one huge caveat. Even if she turned Zach’s part of the bargain down, she would still be working closely with his family. She’d be talking to them more, seeing them more. They would have to deal with each other in one way or another.
Evie cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders. “And what about you? Considering how things are between us? Do you think working with me would be a good idea?”
“Honestly, Buck. That’s on you. But here’s what I do know. I love you and I want you to be happy. I would do anything to help make your dreams come true.”
Sam snickered, then nudged Zach, motioning for him to move out of the way. “I’ll give you two a minute.” When he was gone Zach stayed on his side of the booth, but the way he looked at Evie became all the more intense. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him like this. So straightforward. So serious.
“Like I was saying—”
“Yeah, I have questions.”