It was official, she was utterly and absolutely in love with him.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he promised.
Tachina never would have thought she belonged in a place where the napkins were folded into origami swans and the host wore a suit that probably cost more than her monthly mortgage. At least that’s how it felt today. On any other day, she would’ve admired the quiet elegance of Château Noir. It was the kind of restaurant that one needed a reservation for six weeks out.
She was here for business. For a chance to work on an art center renovation that would add to her robustportfolio.
Anxiety rode low in her belly. She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous. The Artisan Avenue was gaining a lot of traction. Already, her calendar was filling with consults. She couldn’t take on all of the projects, but she could offer her ideas and concepts—for a hefty price.
Her phone buzzed.
Mrs. Olivia Green:Running 10 min behind! Traffic is an absolute mess today. Don’t hate me!
Tachina smiled and text back: All good! I’ll be here.
She forced a smile and approached the host stand.
“Table for two. The reservation is under Winston. My guest will be joining us soon,” she announced.
“Of course,” the host replied. He picked up a few items and waved for her to follow him. He led her through the plush restaurant and past gleaming glass sculptures. There were low murmurs of conversations that were only meant for those at the tables. They arrived at a table where he pulled out her chair. “Water while you wait?”
“Yes, please,” she said.
He nodded curtly then walked away. She sat and smoothed out her skirt and used her fancy hook to hang her purse off the edge of the table. She wasn’t one who was very superstitious, but she never wanted to try the universe. Everyone knew what sitting a purse down on the floor could lead to.
Not her and not today.
A waiter stopped by the table anddropped off her water. She thanked her then reached for her tablet where she’d be taking notes during this meeting. She wanted to ensure she was prepared. As she began to review the notes she already had on this project, she froze. The worse sound she could have heard reached her ears.
It was none other than Sydney Bridges laughing.
A high, too-bright titter she’d recognize anywhere. The muscles in Tachina’s neck grew taut. She didn’t look. She didn’t want to, but her mind wouldn’t let her ignore the woman. That laugh was then followed by another familiar voice. An older one, rich with dignity engrained in it.
Nancy Maxwell.
Vic’s mother.
That anxiety that was lying low in her stomach was climbing high now.
Don’t turn around, she told herself.
She failed.
Her eyes shifted, slowly, as if she were simply taking in the beautiful room. And there she was—Sydney Bridges, sitting straight-backed and poised as if she owned the place. She was smiling too sweetly at the woman across from her.
Nancy was impeccably dressed. Rings gleamed on her fingers. Her smile today seemed sort of forced. She looked worried while she listened.
Sydney leaned forward and touched Nancy’s wrist in a gesture of being too familiar with a person.
“I worry that he’s just too nice,” Sydney said. Thewoman apparently didn’t know how to have a quiet conversation in a public establishment. “He loves Kian so much, you know? People like him…well, they are easy to be taken advantage of.”
Tachina ground her teeth together, but she kept a neutral expression as she continued to listen in on their conversation.
“It is important to protect children. They need stability,” Nancy said with a nod. The elderly woman reached for her glass and took a sip.
“Oh, absolutely. That’s what I told him. I don’t want him being pressured into giving up custody or being manipulated with child support. I remember him telling me they were negotiating how much he needed to pay her.”
Tachina’s eyebrows rose at this comment. Vic had shared information about their agreement with this woman?