Can't Fool Me Twice: Sweet Contemporary Romance: Belles in the City Book 1 (15 page)

Next, he called Judd who listened attentively until he relayed the entire conversation. "Is there any way we can hold his feet to the fire?" Dante asked.

"Maybe, but this could be the Lord's way of letting you know that this property isn't right for you."

Dante had thought about that, but he had another thing to worry about now. "I've already promised a job to Twila."

"Yes, I can see the problem with that," Judd said. "Let me give him a call and talk to him."

"He didn't sound like he was in the mood to negotiate."

"I'll call you back. In the meantime, you might want to speak with Twila and let her know that there might be a problem. You don't want her to be the last to know."

"Okay." The very thought of having to deliver bad news turned his stomach. "I'll go to the diner today and talk to her."

"Take a moment and say a prayer," Judd reminded him. "It'll be okay."

"I hope."

"Trust me, it will. From what I understand, she's had to deal with much worse than this."

After Dante hung up, he leaned back and thought about it. Maybe Twila did have to deal with worse things in the past, but he didn't want to be the cause of her having to deal with anything. He not only loved her daughter, he had the utmost respect for her, and he'd hoped to show her that with this job.

Dante started to get up, but Judd's reminder to pray first sent him back down to his seat. He bowed his head and asked the Lord for guidance during this entire ordeal. When he opened his eyes, he knew exactly what he needed to do.

"Don't look now, but Dante's here," Mama whispered as she nodded toward the door behind Sunny. "He looks like a man on a mission."

Sunny didn't turn around, but she felt goose bumps as soon as she heard his voice. "Twila, do you have a moment? I need to talk to you."

A momentary look of confusion came over Mama. After a quick glance at Sunny, she nodded and left the kitchen.

"I wonder what that's all about," Riley said softly as he stepped to the side to watch Mama walk away with Dante. Sunny noticed his eyebrows shoot up. "Looks like there's about to be a serious business meeting."

Sunny spun around and saw Judd walking in with a couple of other man wearing business suits. "Any idea who they are?"

"You already know his attorney, Judd. One of the other guys is Dante's realtor, but I'm not sure of the taller one."

"They don't look happy." Sunny glanced over and saw Dante and Mama looking at the men. "Maybe I should go make sure everything is okay."

"I think your mama can handle this."

"I know, but—"

"She's a sharp lady." Riley went back to the stove and picked up a pan. "But I know you're dying to find out what's going on." He grinned. "Maybe you can see if they're ready to place an order."

"Good idea." Sunny poured some water into glasses, placed them on a tray, picked up some menus, and headed straight to the table where Mama sat with the men.

Mama grinned at Sunny as though nothing serious was happening. "Is everything okay in the kitchen? Does Riley need me?"

Sunny shook her head. "No, everything is fine." She handed out the menus. "What can I get for y'all?"

"Have whatever you want," Dante added. "It's on the house."

"Nothing for me, thanks," Judd said as he handed Sunny the menu. "Bethann sent a sandwich to work with me this morning."

One of the other man studied the menu for a moment and then ordered fried green tomatoes. "I've always wondered what they taste like."

"After you try them, you'll be addicted," Mama said. "And Riley's are almost as good as mine."

Dante instructed her to make that a double order and to bring enough plates for everyone and glasses of sweet tea. She headed straight back to the kitchen where Riley waited, watching.

"One double order of fried green tomatoes."

She walked over to the beverage station and began to fill glasses with ice and sweet tea. After delivering the tea, she checked to see how Riley was coming along with the fried tomatoes.

"I'll be done in two shakes of a donkey's tail." His eyes twinkled. "When I heard your mama say that it brought back memories of my mama."

"I've heard her say that all my life. Need some help?"

"Why don't you grab a stack of plates and bring them over to the table. By the time you get back, I'll have these ready and in a basket."

Sunny noticed that Dante's expression had changed when she returned to the table. He looked much more relaxed and jovial.

"Here ya go, y'all." She placed a plate in front of each of them, but Mama held out her hand and shook her head. "Not for me, thanks. I'm havin' lunch in about half an hour, and I don't want to ruin my appetite."

Dante surprised Sunny and stood. "I'll bring the fried tomatoes out. In the meantime, I want to talk to you for a moment."

As soon as they got to the edge of the kitchen, Dante whispered, "Your mother is amazing. I came to tell her we weren't going to get the Harlem location because the owner got a better offer. In fact, I'd just told her what happened when Judd came in with the owner and my realtor Stan."

"The owner?" Sunny was confused.

"Yeah, Tyrone, the owner of the Harlem location. Judd and my realtor went to talk to him, and Judd convinced him to come here to see this place for himself. Your mother charmed the socks off of him, and now he's agreed to let me have the place for our agreed-upon price. The only stipulation is that he gets to eat there for free." He shook his head. "And that will cost us almost nothing."

"That's my mama for ya." Sunny couldn't help but chuckle. "She could've made a fortune in sales."

"After meeting your mother, I know where you got your charm." Dante shifted from one foot to another. "And your looks and your humor and your—"

"Whoa. I'm afraid I can't live up to all that. Mama is one of a kind." She looked directly at him, knowing it was dangerous to her heart.

"True." Dante held her gaze, something she promised herself she'd never allow to happen again. But she couldn't help it. "So are you … one of a kind, I mean."

She had that strange sensation again—the one that happened when he was about to kiss her. But he didn't. Instead, he took a step back and broke the connection between them.

"You'd better bring that food out, or they'll come lookin' for you." Sunny's voice cracked, so she cleared her throat.

Dante cast one more look in her direction, gave a clipped nod, and walked toward the cooking area, where Riley had piled the fried green tomatoes in a basket. "I can make some more if you want them." Sunny had followed but kept her distance. Riley gave her a curious glance and then turned back to Dante.

"Thanks. I'll let you know."

After Dante left the kitchen, Riley lifted the heavy pan from the burner and placed it on a hot pad. "You okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Just asking. By the way, your mama wants us to try out her tapioca pudding on the customers. Is it any good?"

"That's like asking if heaven is heavenly." She allowed her thoughts to return to the times when Mama had made tapioca to lift her spirits, and it always did. "It's about the best thing ever."

Riley laughed. "In that case, we'd better try it."

"Did Mama tell you about her shrimp and grits?"

"We tested that shortly after we first opened, and it didn't do very well."

Sunny planted her fist on her hip and gave Riley the jauntiest head bob she could manage. "That's because Mama didn't cook 'em."

"That's the Sunny attitude I remember."

She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "Sunny attitude?"

"Yeah, the one you lost a few weeks ago."

Sunny swallowed hard. She knew exactly when that happened, and it had everything to do with Dante.

Instead of continuing with this line of conversation, Sunny backed away. "I think I'll go check on things at the deal table."

He made a comical face. "Deal table?"

"That's where the deal is bein' made for the Harlem restaurant."

"Good idea. Maybe you can help seal the deal by offering something else." He glanced around the kitchen before settling his gaze back on her. "How about some fried okra or eggplant?"

"I'll ask." As she walked toward the table, she thought about the fact that Mama appeared to have already sealed the deal. And when she arrived, she saw all of the papers on the table with signatures scrawled on the bottom lines. Yep, she was right.

Mama grinned as she stood up. "If you gentlemen don't mind, I need to go back to the kitchen and help out. We're about to get slammed. Tonight is chicken and dumplings night."

The man that Sunny now knew was the owner of the new diner location gave Mama a look of desire—but for the food, not her. "Why is it when you say
chicken and dumplings
I feel like I have to have some?"

"Maybe because I know how good they are, and I say it with the respect they deserve." She turned to Sunny with a look of pure amusement before turning back to face him. "Why don't you stick around and have some? They come with a choice of turnip greens or green beans cooked southern style."

"If it's okay with Dante …" The man glanced over at Dante who nodded. "Okay then. I'll just sit right here if you don't mind. I can check messages on my phone."

"We don't mind at all." Dante stood. "I have to get back to the office. You'll be in good hands here with Twila, Riley, and …" He looked at Sunny. "And our manager Sunny."

"Let me fill your tea glass." Without waiting for him to respond, Sunny picked up his glass and went straight to the beverage station. She could hear the footsteps behind her, and she was pretty sure it wasn't Mama.

"That was a well orchestrated meeting, even though not one I expected." Dante cleared his throat, so she turned around. "Do you need me for anything before I leave?"

Did she need him?
No.
Did she want him?
Unfortunately, yes.

She shook her head. "We'll be fine."

"I'll call you later. Are you closing tonight?"

"No. I'm leaving after the big dinner rush. Morgan said she can close."

"Mind if I come over?" Dante appeared to be wound as tight as a spring as he asked the question.

"Sorry, but tonight's not good. Miss Lucille is having Dr. Simone over. She needs to talk to Mama about something."

A look of worry flashed on Dante's face. "I hope it's not … um … she's …"

"She just wants to work up a care plan."

"The doctor's making a house call for that?"

Sunny nodded. "Mama is amazed by that too. Miss Lucille carries a lot of clout."

"That woman has more clout than anyone I know." He propped his elbow on the closest counter as he continued looking at her, making her squirm. "Okay, so tonight's out. I would like to talk to you again soon, though."

"Are you unhappy about the job I'm doing?"

He pulled his arm away from the counter and stepped closer but stopped right before he got within arm's reach. "This has nothing to do with the job."

Sunny wasn't sure what to do. She didn't need to talk to him about personal matters because she was afraid her resolve would crack. But here she was at work, with her boss standing about two feet away, saying he wanted to talk to her. And deep down, she knew that she wanted to talk to him too. Well, actually, she wanted to do more than talk. His kisses played in her mind at the least convenient of times, including right now. She resisted the urge to lick her lips, but he clearly sensed something.

"I'll let you get back to work then. Please tell your mother that she can come to my office any time and fill out the permanent employee paperwork."

"You can tell me yourself," Mama said as she came around the corner.

"Come to my office—"

"I heard you." Mama smiled. "When will I actually be a permanent employee?"

"Whenever you want. Do you need to go back to South Carolina for anything?"

Sunny watched Mama as she pondered the question. She finally nodded. "I really should pack up a few things and get the place ready for a renter. I'm pretty sure it won't take too long to find a tenant."

"Maybe you can sell the place," Sunny said. "That would free you up even more."

"It's certainly something to think about." Mama turned to Dante who remained standing there, his chin still hanging a tad low. "Any chance you can find someone to fill in so my daughter can go with me? I'm thinkin' about bringing my car up here."

"You think you can drive in New York?" Dante asked.

"Honey, I can drive anywhere a car can go. This place doesn't scare me."

"Mama, I don't think—"

He looked at Sunny. "Why don't you take a week off and help your mother as soon as Estelle gets back?" Dante shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "I can fill in for you while you're gone."

Sunny started to turn him down, but Mama spoke up before she had a chance to get a word in. "That's so sweet of you, Dante. I really need Sunny's help."

Mama turned to her and grinned. All she could do was grin right back. After all, how could she turn Mama down after a comment like that?

"Then it's settled. When do you plan to go?" Dante asked.

Mama glanced at Sunny, shrugged, and looked at Dante. "Why don't you tell us when is the best time for you?"

"How about next week? That'll give Estelle enough time to get back into the groove. I'll spend a day here with Sunny to get a better feel for what she does. I've run restaurants in the past, but this one's different."

"Sounds good." Mama started for the kitchen. "Gotta go get ready for the crowd."

Now that Sunny was alone with Dante once again, she wasn't sure what to say. Fortunately, he spoke first.

"Will a week be long enough?"

She nodded. "That's plenty of time. Mama doesn't really have that much stuff, and I don't want to be gone that long. One thing I am concerned about, though, is Miss Lucille. She really needs someone close by."

"I'm sure between Bethann and me, we'll have her covered."

"Thanks, Dante."