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“Sorry, I didn’t think. We’re good. Always have been.” I hugged her again, giving her a squeeze that I hoped would show how I felt about our friendship.
I eventually let her go and she acknowledged the rest of my friends. To my surprise, Stacy gave her a hug as well. I wasn’t going to deny it felt good to see the friends I had made in one place getting along with friends from another, but I didn’t expect it to make me want to tear up in a good way.
As everyone piled out of the second car as well, Sarai waved us all over to the restaurant. “I’ve kept one of the side tables free for you all. Daniel is already waiting for us, but there’s no pressure to begin anything. Are you all hungry?”
There was a chorus of agreement from most of my friends, but I couldn’t utter a word. While I knew Daniel wasn’t Lukas, I was more aware of missing him just by being back here. The site held memories of him, and so did these people.
The pain was different from before, however. It was almost like I was comfortable with it. I wanted to see Lukas here. The place looked wrong without him. This project had been fun because of Saraiandhim. Without him, it just seemed like a different place.
After processing this thought and the awareness of why I felt the way I did, I relaxed a little. Maybe I would be able to see him and not feel so bereft.
I couldn’t see Lukas inside the restaurant, and I had known it would be unlikely. While I was missing him, given what I knew of him, I doubted he was missing me.
Sarai pulled a waitress over to us, the woman one I didn’t recognize. There had been a lot of staff due to start working here while we were gone, so it didn’t surprise me, but no sooner had I sat down than Daniel hurried over from another group. I was soon on my feet again to give him a hug.
This time Daniel hugged all my friends as well, and greeted them all like he cared for them as much as me.
“I haven’t eaten yet. Please tell me you’ve all agreed to have some lunch. I’ve got the tab, and I have some greatrecommendations if you haven’t tried everything here before your road trip.”
I chuckled at his endless enthusiasm, and for a few minutes we talked about nothing but food, drinks, and how much we might want to consume. My stomach still protested at the idea of food, but I wasn’t about to stop everyone else’s excitement. My nerves would calm as soon as we got to business.
Thankfully Daniel seemed to anticipate my desire to get on with the reason I was truly here and as soon as our order was placed and Sarai had joined us, he cleared his throat.
“Right. I understand your friends have requested they’re present for this pitch, to make sure it’s in your best interests, but I believe it will be so I’m going to get on with it. We want your help with something you’re highly qualified to do.”
“What’s that?” I asked, trying to not snap at him despite my irritation that he already appeared to be waffling.
“We’ve been looking at the viability of a project themed around everything British. This place has a little bit of everything in the entire world, but from the customers at the showcase, what I know of the people in my world and Sarai’s experience, our country is fascinated with everything British, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh far more than any other nations.”
I frowned, knowing he was about to ask me if I would be a part of something like this. But I had barely any details, and it could only be more of the same. On top of that, I knew Sarai didn’t have the time or funding yet. She had already made it clear that she wanted to be able to get this site up and running before she moved on to another project.
Daniel studied me and his shoulders lowered. He could tell I wasn’t excited. For a few seconds he thought about this more.
“You like working with Sarai, correct?”
“Yes,” I replied, grateful I could be honest about that part.
“And you liked this project in and of itself?” He spoke slowly, as if he was choosing his words carefully, which made me more reluctant to confirm his words.
“The project was enticing enough, but it also wore me out. I couldn’t do another like it right away.”
Daniel nodded like this was an answer he’d expected.
“It takes time to get another project up off the ground and ready for an interior designer. You wouldn’t be asked to do another right away if you worked with us.” Daniel made a good point and he knew it, but I was more distracted by another element.
“Us?”
“Yes...” Daniel scratched his jaw, fidgeting for the first time. “I have decided to be involved. Not majorly, but as a small investor. Someone to help bring publicity more than anything.”
Of all the responses I had hoped or expected to get from him, this hadn’t been one of them. I’d expected him to confess Lukas was also going to be involved. The thought had made my heart rate spike and I had to focus not to show the emotions I felt at considering his name again.
“Are there enough investors?” I asked. “How likely is this to get off the ground?”
“There are some.” Sarai took over at this point, the drinks arriving before I could ask any more about it. For a minute or so, I could concentrate on breathing and let the waitress steal the attention.
When she left, I still didn’t respond. I didn’t know what to say. I’d loved working with Sarai, and even being in pain, I had to consider I might not be by the time they wanted to start. But if I was going to get any closure before then and begin to heal enough, I had questions. Was now the time to ask them?
“Although I wanted to be committed to one project at a time,” Sarai was the first to continue, breaking into my thoughts, “wehad a great team on this and it’s already doing better than I hoped. Richard has agreed he can put in more work here and free me up to get the ball rolling on another, similar project. Somewhere where it will go down well with the general public. Early research is suggesting New York State might be a good plan.”
