Page 52 of Bloody Quarter

“Smart to close all loopholes. Yes, I promise.” He pushed out his lip while making an X over his heart. It was far too sexy and troubling at the same time. Nodding, I took a deep breath and got out of the car.

Nostalgia gripped me as the door chime rang, and I remembered the first time that I had stepped foot in this place. The smell of the food was the same. No matter what financial issues Miss Harper was having, she never let the quality of the food dip.

“I’ll be right there. Grab a seat wherever you like,” Miss Harper called from the kitchen, making me smile. Some things never changed. I hated that the diner was only half full. We were getting close to Mardi Gras, and this place should be busy with locals, if not tourists.

“Well, now what can I get you,” Miss Harper asked and then looked up, her face going from friendly to overjoyed in a blink. “Alora, it’s so good to see you. I’ve been worried sick. Come here and give me a hug.”

Slipping from the booth, I was immediately pulled into her arms. Her hugs were always so warm, and I sighed. She felt like coming home. Miss Harper pulled back and wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Goodness, look at me. I’m a right mess.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch, I….” I looked down. “I slipped. But I’m dry again, and Greyson here has been a big part of that.”

“Well, I hate to hear that happened to you, sweetie. But I’m excited to see you getting out and having a life. Mr. Laurent is fine on the eyes,” she said, making me blush as Greyson laughed. “I’m so happy for you, dear heart.” She looked between the two of us. “I’m just not sure why you’re both here. Not that I’m complaining. But when I didn’t hear anything from you, Mr. Laurent, I figured you didn’t want the diner.”

Greyson casually leaned on the table with a warm and welcoming smile on his face. I bet he could sell anything to anyone. He was that damn good. “I’ve been busy, but I’d like to make an offer. Do you have a few minutes to chat?” Miss Harper looked around.

“I’ll be real honest with you. Business has been terrible, and I don’t know if I can last much longer than six months. This old building needs repairs, and the location is not what it used to be. I just don’t think it’s worth you spending hard-earned money.”

“Have a seat, and I’ll tell you what I’m thinking,” Greyson said. I sat down beside him as Miss Harper slid into the booth across from us. I had zero idea what he was up to, so I was just as curious as Miss Harper about what his plan was to save this place.

Greyson placed his hand on my leg, and it was both comforting and erotic. Everything he did had an edge to it that I couldn’t explain. His fingers looked innocent, and yet his pinky was high enough that if wiggled, it was not.

“So, this is what I propose. I have a different property already purchased and just waiting for a business. I wasn’t sure if I was going to open another bar, but it’s right near a busy mall. The area is seriously lacking for locals who want a homecooked meal, and the tourist traffic will be high.”

“What would happen with this place,” Miss Harper asked.

“Unfortunately, the neighborhood has changed, and I’m not sure what I’ll do with it yet. I’ll figure out what the market is demanding.”

I saw the reservation in Miss Harper’s eyes. She glanced down, wringing her hands, and I felt the weight of the world sitting on her shoulders. Reaching out, I gripped them, and she sighed.

“I guess I’m not in a position to worry about what happens once I’m gone. You could bulldoze it, and it wouldn’t be any of my business.”

“I don’t want to do that. Miss Harper’s Diner won’t disappear. It’ll just change locations. I want to buy you out, but I would keep the name and all the décor, with a few more modern changes, and best of all, I still want you to manage it. What is Miss Harper’s Diner without Miss Harper?”

“Are you serious,” Miss Harper and I asked at the same time.

“I never joke when it comes to business. This place has amazing food. Your king cake is the best I’ve ever eaten, and your gumbo makes me proud to say I was born in Louisiana. You have the freedom to run the business and make sure the food and staff are on point, but I take on all the other headaches. So what do you say?”

Miss Harper gripped my hand tightly as she covered her mouth. Tears shimmered in her eyes when she cleared her throat.

“I say, where do I sign,” Miss Harper said, making us all laugh.

“I’ll give you fair market value, and we can discuss salary on my next visit. I have few other stops to make today.”

Taking the hint, I slipped out of the booth and stood. Greyson stood beside me with his hand around my waist as he shook Miss Harper’s hand. “I’ll be by next week to talk terms, and then I’ll have the contract drafted.”

I didn’t think that Miss Harper could smile any wider, but I was wrong. The beaming look lit up the entire diner. “Thank you. I feel like you coming into both mine and Alora’s life is…well, it’s like you’re our guardian angel.”

It was a good thing I wasn’t drinking anything because I would’ve spit it out on the floor. Greyson smiled and gave me a wink, and it took everything I had not to laugh. There were many things I would call Greyson, but angel? Not a chance. Not unless he had a dented halo and black wings.

“That was really quite sweet of you,” I said as we stepped outside. Breaking off a piece of the king cake, Miss Harper insisted we take with us and popping it in my mouth.

“I am sweet. Just ask my mom,” Greyson said, and I laughed but then sobered and touched his cheek.

“You are complicated, but yes, there is a part of you that is incredibly warm and generous. It may not be the piece of you that feeds your soul, but it feeds mine. All of you feeds mine. Tell me, did you do this because of me?”

“I never do anything for just one reason,” he said. Grabbing the back of my neck, he pulled me in for a hard, quick kiss that left my head spinning and my lips swollen. “But, you were a big part of the reason.” I smiled, laying my hand on his chest. “Speaking of feeding, I know a great spot with an amazing view. I plan to feast on you as we watch the sunset.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I rubbed my thighs together. “I thought you had other errands to run?”