Part 3 (1/2)
It was the perfect opening to something Emma had thought about for weeks. ”I know how we can fix that.”
”How?”
”Open a restaurant next to your B-and-B.”
”Oh yeah right.” Alaina laughed while she looked at each of the triplets. Her laughter quickly died when none of them laughed with her. She looked back at Emma. ”You aren't serious.”
”I think it's a great idea,” Dax said. ”Lanville needs a really good restaurant, a place with cla.s.s.”
Rye folded his hands across his stomach. ”And with Emma running it, you know the food would be amazing.”
Emma's heartbeat galloped at the thought of actually running her own restaurant. It would be so different than running the kitchen in Alaina's bed-and-breakfast. More work, yes, but so much more rewarding.
”I have all kinds of ideas,” Emma said to Alaina. ”Colors, linens, wall hangings. I could easily expand the B-and-B's menu-”
”Wait a minute.” Alaina held up a hand to stop the conversation. ”Y'all are getting way ahead of me. I've never thought about opening a restaurant.”
”You build it, I'll run it, and Kelcey will keep the books. She'll add them on top of the ones for the B-and-B.”
”Kelcey should not quit that amazing job to work for me.”
”Kelcey is sick of that amazing job. She works way too many hours without the pay she deserves.”
”She makes a hundred grand a year!”
”And her boss makes four times that much when all he does is pile the work on Kelcey's desk so he can play golf.”
”Emma, I can't pay her that much.”
”She doesn't expect you to, just like I don't expect you to pay me what I'm making now. When your business grows, we'll get raises.” Emma grinned. ”And really nice Christmas bonuses.”
Alaina looked at Rye. ”What do you think?”
”I agree with Dax. It's a great idea.”
Blowing out a huge breath, Alaina ran her hand through her hair. ”Can Coleman Construction do it? There's still so much work to be done on the house.”
”Yeah, we can do it. We'll divide up the labor, hire some more workers.” He waggled his thumb back and forth between him and his brothers. ”One of us will be in charge of it. I think it should be Griff.”
Emma looked at Griff in time to see him almost choke on his swallow of wine. ”Why me?”
”Because even though you do every aspect of construction, just like Dax and I do, your main job is as an electrician. You've done all the wiring in Stevens House. That leaves you free to be in charge of Alaina's restaurant. You'll be right there on the property if we need you for something.”
”I second that notion,” Dax said. ”Majority rules.”
Emma grinned at the sick look that crossed Griff's face. ”Guess we'll be working together for the next few months, Coleman.”
Alaina covered her eyes with one hand. ”I'm crazy. I'm absolutely insane to do this.” She uncovered her eyes and looked back at Rye. ”Can I do this? Legally? Can I build a restaurant next to my bed-and-breakfast?”
”Your land is zoned commercial, so I don't see why not. I'll start working on the permits and stuff tomorrow.”
”Are you sure about this?” Alaina asked Emma. ”Are you absolutely sure you want the work of running a restaurant?”
Emma looked at Griff. They would work together during the day, and f.u.c.k each other blind at night.
”Yes, I'm absolutely sure.”
Chapter Four.
So much for my plan to seduce Griff, Emma grumbled to herself. She'd used every ”come hither” action she could think of. Nothing worked, at least not on Griff. She'd seen Dax discreetly adjust the fly of his jeans a couple of times when she was bent over the pool table. She knew the position gave everyone an excellent view of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Dax apparently appreciated the view. Griff didn't. He remained unaffected, his face completely emotionless.
Maybe she should seduce Dax after all.
The eleven ball glided toward the corner pocket, but stopped right on the edge. Emma huffed out a breath. Griff would probably run the table now. He'd already won two games, the b.u.m.
The corner of his mouth twitched as he lined up his next shot. His remaining three b.a.l.l.s dropped into the pockets one, two, three. Emma ground her teeth when the eight ball sailed perfectly into the side pocket.
”That's three wins,” Griff said.
Emma didn't like to give up. ”Best four out of seven.”
Lips twitching again, Griff shook his head. ”You're good, I'll admit that. But I don't think you can beat me.”
”No one can win every game.”
”Griff can,” Dax said.
”There's a first time for everything. Rack the b.a.l.l.s, Coleman.”
”Accept your defeat gracefully, Emma.”
”Bulls.h.i.+t. I don't do graceful. I play to win.” She gestured toward the table. ”Let's go.”
Rye laughed. ”She isn't giving up, Griff.”
Griff shrugged one shoulder. ”She must like losing.”
”There's nothing more irritating than a c.o.c.ky man, Coleman. Rack the b.a.l.l.s.”
”Before I watch you get slaughtered again,” Alaina said, rising from one of the comfy armchairs, ”I need chocolate.”
”Gee, thanks, Lainy.”
Alaina grinned. ”I calls 'em as I sees 'em. I'll get the brownies.”
Emma handed her stick to Rye. ”I'll help you while Griff racks the b.a.l.l.s.”