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He smirked.
Tad said, “The brainstorming is over and now it’s time for execution. Sugar plum even had an epiphany on the tablecloths.”
Rafe glanced at Jenna.
She laughed. “I know it’s not on par with curing cancer, but good Lord was it painful to solve this one. I had a massive blockage over something that usually comes so quickly and naturally to me. And then boom! I woke up this morning with the perfect idea. Incredibly simple and sensible, yet…perfect nonetheless.”
Rafe’s eyebrow lifted. “And?”
“Oh, no,” she said. “This is all going to be a surprise, Rafe. I want you to walk in here and be completely blown away. No preconceived notions. Just gut reaction—which I already know will be fantastic, because this place is going to be so you.”
He flinched. “Is that really such a good thing?”
She laughed again. “Trust me, hmm?”
“Sure, but—”
“Would I let her do anything hideous?” Tad interjected. “Not that she would. But my reputation is at stake here too.”
Rafe shook his head. “I’m not doubting anyone. I guess I’m just anxious to see the outcome.”
Jenna leaned over and kissed him. “Soon.”
Tad rolled his eyes dramatically. “Get a room.” He chuckled, then said, in a more serious tone, “That’s actually a great idea. You two should go away for a couple of days. Stay out of my hair and—”
“You don’t have any hair,” Jenna pointed out with a spirited look.
“Do not get me started, bestie. Now, the project work is my forte and I’m in charge for three whole days. So why not take in the sights and just…enjoy each other?”
“We’ve been doing that, Tad,” she deadpanned.
He simpered in his sassy way. “Somewhere outside of the city where Mr. Tall, Hot and Hunky here isn’t tempted to steal a peek at the progress within these walls. You know I’ll call if I need anything or if there are any complications.”
Rafe said, “I wouldn’t mind the break. We’ve been slammed this past week and I hope it continues. I could use a breather before the real storm hits.”
“You’re right,” Jenna conceded. “You should take a few days to prepare for this. I already have my publicity team plugging the reopening, and with the reservations we’ve booked, there won’t be an empty table or sofa the entire evening. You’ll get more of the same going forward. The servers will be trained on the POS system during those three days, and the chefs will be mastering the new menu.”
“And what will you be doing?” Rafe eyed her suspiciously.
Tad immediately said, “Something that keeps her from being underfoot. Let me handle this one on my own, Jenna.”
“You don’t have to prove anything to me, Tad.”
“I want to pull this all together,” he insisted, conviction in his eyes. “For you and for Rafe.”
Rafe grinned. “I have no doubt it’s going to be sensational.” To Jenna, he said, “Why don’t we take in some local flavor and then spend a night or two in Sonoma?”
Her teeth sank into her lower lip. It practically made her hyperventilate to think she wouldn’t be in the city while Tad worked.
He seemed to know the direction in which her thoughts ran and contended, “You won’t be far away, Jen. If I need anything at all, you’ll be back in a flash. Though… I won’t need anything.”
She smiled. “I know you won’t.” Not only did Tad excel as a project manager, more than capable of keeping everyone on schedule, but the contractors they worked with were highly skilled at accelerated timelines, and she and Tad had partnered with them on numerous occasions.
“Okay,” she conceded. “I’ll go to Sonoma.”
More intimate time with Rafe really was too tempting to pass up.
They spent the afternoon sightseeing around the city. They strolled along Pier 39, randomly popping into shops. They took in the bay views from Fisherman’s Wharf, along with the delicious scents of seafood and freshly baked sourdough bread wafting from the restaurants, and the sounds of tourists wowed by the scenery and the entertaining street life.
