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“As if a bed is our only option for sex,” I drawled.
She tapped her foot impatiently. “If you’re only here to flirt or aggravate me, we can end the meeting right now.”
I placed my chair on all fours before I tugged her arms down. I gripped her wrist and pulled her to sit down again. “No...no...we need to talk. I’ll stop. The grand opening is April 20th, and we still have a lot of work to do. We need to buy the signage, but you won’t agree to the name.”
“And I never will.”
“Embers makes more sense than Café Kimble. Embers is sexier and classier. We want to attract the professional crowd, the upwardly mobile, singles, couples-only, and not the family. Contrary to popular belief, weed heads look like you and me, and we’re establishing a trend.”
She implored. “Then do what I asked when I sent my business proposal out. Give me the money to expand the restaurant to include a bar. My desire was for an upscale yet friendly restaurant full of home-cooked favs like your mama used to make. Like a soul food place for the up-and-coming. We won’t get the numbers with a cannabis-infused restaurant in a city like Houston.”
“That is exactly why we need to move forward with this idea. Houston is slowly coming around to the power of cannabis. Only one other place in the city is doing this, and we would be black-owned and on the cusp of greatness in this location.”
“You have the money. Why not open your own restaurant and let me have Café Kimble?”
I grew excited as I explained, “That’s the plan for the future. This site would be the flagship because you have a prime location in Midtown. I’m offering you an opportunity to be a franchise owner. Trust me, we will be just as crowded as the Breakfast Klub and Turkey Leg Hut. Simply adding a bar to this place won’t cut it when you need a new ceiling, simple repairs, fresh paint, and new furniture.”
“Even if we change the name and the menu...”
I cut her off while she tried to find the words to explain. “The menu can be the same with just some additions. Every dish won’t be cannabis or CBD oil infused. We still want to attract non-marijuana users, too. We just want to offer our patrons one-of-a-kind options.”
She rolled her eyes. “As I was saying, even If we change the name and the menu, when would we have time to make all the changes you proposed? And why April 20th?”
I propped my elbows on the table and tucked my clasped hands under my chin. “I hate when women roll their eyes.”
“What?” Spirit frowned deeply.
“You rolled your eyes like you were annoyed with me. I hate it.”
She narrowed her brown eyes and twisted her cupid bow lips. “What you hate or don’t hate about what I do is irrelevant.”
“Do it again in my presence, and I promise you won’t like it,” I warned, watching her reaction. I could tell Spirit had grown into a closed-off woman. Probably content being alone. Not even checking for a man which will make the chase that much more fun. Before all is said and done, we’ll be fucking on this very table.
Spirit quietly assessed me. “I’m supposed to be scared.”
“Just being honest about what I hate. Feel free to tell me what you hate about men.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “That implies you’re an option, and you’re most definitely not an option for me.”
“Back in the day, I was.” I reminded her.
“Emphasize, ‘back in the day,’ I’m so much wiser now.” Her mouth twitched in humor, and I bit back my smile.
“Oh...okay. Wiser now?” I inched closer. “Then roll your eyes again.”
Her forehead puckered. “Why?”
“If you’re not scared, then do it.”
“Can we get back on task?” Spirit drummed her knuckles on the table, although I noticed she didn’t quite look me in the eyes anymore. I spooked her, whether she’ll ever admit it.
“April 20th is a National Holiday for marijuana lovers. How perfect is that day to re-open? A lot of people still don’t know about that day, although it’s been happening for decades. Opening Embers on that day is a good way to capture those fully aware of that day's significance and educate others who don’t know.”
“With the proposed changes, we can’t possibly be ready by then. We can’t even do work until the restaurant is closed, which is after hours and Mondays.”
“This is why we are closing down temporarily, revamping everything, and placing a sign for our grand opening on April 20.”
She shook her head. “I can’t afford to be closed for three months, and neither can any of my staff.”
