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Amy looked around the gutted space where drywall was already being installed.
What the fuck happened?
“I told you. She’s shellshocked.”
Amy turned around and saw Lawrence and Lark coming through the front doors of the unfinished mess that was due to open in seven weeks.
Oh shit, now I’m seeing double. No, triple. Because there are more men and women than just Lawrence and Lark coming into the disaster that I signed up for. Please, God, don’t let me start crying.
Lark walked up to her, wrapped her arms around her, and gave her a big hug. “It’s going to be just fine.”
“No, it’s not. The designer quit, the plumbers quit, and we didn’t pass inspection on the 605 code for electrical in the kitchen, so we can’t drywall, even though the drywallers can’t be here next week. I’m fucked.”
“Honey, is that all that’s wrong?” one of the new women asked. “Lark told me you had real problems, that’s not even a punch list. Let me make a few calls, and we’ll get this all straightened out. I saw the sign out front, you’re using Rynkill as your general contractor; they screw up all the damn time, but they end up making good on their promises. Leave this to me.”
Amy looked back at Lark. “Who’s that?”
“I just met her. She’s a friend of Lawrence’s.”
Amy gave Lawrence a pointed look.
“She’s my cousin Rhonda’s wife. She used to work as a building inspector in New York, and now she’s here working in D.C. as a consultant for construction companies to cut through red tape. She’s got you covered.”
“Hi, my name is Stephanie.” A petite blonde stepped forward. “I used to work for Milkin and Milkin design, but I started my own agency last year. I’d heard that your designer quit, and I was wondering if you were willing to take on a new agency like mine. I brought my portfolio with me.”
“How do you know my designer quit? He just called me this morning to say he was offered a hotel project in Dubai.”
“Word travels fast in the design industry. Jim and his firm had been on the shortlist for that project for the last month. The client pulled the trigger last night, so I knew I could present to you if they got the job.”
“So you’re not with Lark and Lawrence?” Amy asked.
“Who?”
Amy laughed. “I’m liking this, it sounds like my luck is turning around. Stephanie, can you come back in an hour? I’ll be able to look over your portfolio then.”
The woman’s face lit up. “Absolutely.” She thrust out her hand and Amy shook it, then watched her walk out the door. She turned to where Lark and Lawrence were standing. Both of them were smirking.
“So, what were your other problems?” Lark asked.
Ryker’s face flashed before her eyes before she forced it away.
Bad girl. I’m not going to think about him. He doesn’t need someone like me in his life.
“Charlie’s replacement chef in Minneapolis was having trouble with his start date. Now Charlie won’t get here until next week. He’s only created half of the menu, he hasn’t met with any of the local suppliers and he still has people to hire!”
“Calm down, little girl,” Lawrence said as he put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ve already got the resumes out to Charlie for the staff, he’s been interviewing online, and I’ve been checking references.”
Amy could feel the boulders falling off her shoulders.
“You’re wonderful, Lawrence. I’m going to name my firstborn after you.”
“Hopefully you won’t give birth to a girl.” His eyes were twinkling. “So, anymore concerns, problems, misgivings?”
“I haven’t had time to shave my legs this week, can you help with that?”
Lawrence turned to Lark. “I’m outta here, she’s all yours.”
8
