Fortunately, Bruno banged his way through the kitchen flaps and landed plates in front of them with a whole mighty lobster on each.
“If you can eat that, you can have dessert,” he said with a grin, and then turned to greet everyone who’d turned up since he was last in the restaurant, before making his way back to the kitchen.
The meat looked succulent and cooked perfectly. A simple side salad and different sauces were the only accompaniment. At the first mouthful, he closed his eyes in bliss, but when he opened them, Macy was staring at him.
“What? Do I have sauce on my face?” He wiped it even as she shook her head no.
White lines had appeared around her mouth. “I can’t believe that you would think our circumstances are in any way comparable.”
He quickly swallowed his next mouthful, unsure how the conversation had turned the night so sour. “Pardon?”
“I looked up Knight Industries. The poor little rich boy is in the same boat, excuse the pun, as the white trash from Heaven Bay. Don’t make me laugh.”
“Hey, wait one darn minute. I didn’t say you were white trash.”
“But you are rich?”
It wasn’t the first time that he had felt awkward about his family’s wealth, but he wasn’t about to apologize for it.
“I don’t know why, but I thought you would be different,” he said. “That you wouldn’t judge me. Guess I was wrong. I don’t have to defend my family, but I’ll tell you for the record, that my parents were not born rich. They worked their butts off to get Knight Industries where it is. From the moment we were capable, and arguably sometimes before that, my brother and sisters and I have all worked there. Most of us still do. And we work hard.”
“Except when you’re off sailing.”
“Are you deliberately being mean, or are you jealous? I haven’t had a holiday in years. I’m here for business, so why not take a bit of time for myself?”
She ducked her head. When she met his eyes again, her cheeks were flaming.
“Jealous and mean. Guilty as charged. Sorry, I don’t know why I’m being such a bitch about what you do. It’s not like my life sucks or anything. Heaven Bay is a great place to live. Most of the time.”
His mouth hung open. No woman he knew would have fessed up to that. Macy was an enigma, and he was even more entranced despite her sharp tongue.
Chapter Five
Macy felt terrible. She’d given Evan such a hard time over being rich, and as she’d admitted, she was jealous. He could do what she couldn’t. He could pack up and leave his town anytime. Hell, he could leave America, if he chose to, and see the world.
But he was so right. It wasn’t his fault he’d been born into a family business. Like her. Therefore, it was perfectly sound reasoning that he should empathize with her.
She took a bite of the lobster and it was perfect. Nothing less should be expected at Bruno’s, because the Chilean had exacting standards, which he led by. She licked her lips in anticipation of the next mouthful.
“You have a little sauce right there.” Evan pointed to her chest.
Sure enough, as careful as she’d been, there it was. Her shirt was no longer as white as it had been. She shrugged. “Happens all the time here. Actually, there are bibs on the side of the table. I don’t know how I forgot about them.”
“Bibs?”
“Yes.” She reached over the table and pulled two of the firm paper bibs out of a hanging tray attached to the side, and handed him one. “To cover your clothes.”
His eyes were like saucers. “Like a baby?”
She laughed at his shock. “Too fancy for a bib?”
“I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t,” he said wryly.
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she told him, as she fastened the paper bib around her neck and tucked it down her front.
He shook his head in amusement. Crack! He broke open a claw and juice sprayed across the table.
“Oops, sorry. Lucky you had the bib.”
“Unlucky you didn’t,” she smirked.
He looked down at his spotted linen shirt that had earlier also been one color—a dazzling blue that matched his dreamy eyes.
“I should have listened to the expert.”
She liked that he wasn’t outraged at spoiling his shirt. She liked that he could see the humor in such a thing. She liked an awful lot about Evan Knight.
They had an enjoyable dinner, then at Bruno’s insistence forced down a small bowl of gelato even though they were full.
While Evan paid, she went to thank Bruno, and say hi to his wife and the kitchen staff, who made a fuss and told her to come back soon.
They walked out into an end-of-summer night, and stood at the rail on the edge of the world, where the breeze was a little fresher but the air was still heavy with the smell of the ocean. Around the corner, she pointed down. It was finally dark and they could see the lights far below of the marina and the shopping district.
“I’m so glad you talked me into coming out with you tonight, Evan. It’s nice to see a different face around town. Unless it’s tourist season, when it’s crazy with strangers.”
“I’m glad too. But surely it’s still tourist season here?”
“The season used to be longer, and we’ll get the odd person who wants a more intimate experience between now and winter, but there are so many choices for people along the coast, with towns that have more to offer than Heaven Bay. We haven’t exactly moved with the times.”
“That must make business tough?”
“Business is fine, thank you.”
“Good. Will you have any time off this weekend?”
She hesitated. One date was all she’d planned for, but she was having such a good time, why not have more while she could? “When do you go home?”
“Sunday afternoon.”
“And you had no plans?”
“I was going to sail all weekend, but I could be persuaded to do something else.”
His voice conveyed a meaning she couldn’t ignore. “It might be quieter on Saturday afternoon. I can ask my dad to take care of things if he’s well enough. We could take Maggie out and I could show you some beautiful bays around here.”
“That would be good. I hope I’m not being too pushy, but what are you doing tomorrow night?”
“Oh. Since it’s Friday, I usually have a beer at the local bar. You can come if you want. It’s kind of a tradition for most of the town. A winding down gently into the weekend kind of thing.”
“Sounds good, if I wouldn’t be intruding?”
“Not at all. Everybody’s welcome.”
“In that case, I accept.”
As he drove carefully down the hill, Macy studied him. He had a kind face. A strong chin. A lovely smile. And he’d ‘saved’ her from Sean. Could he really be privileged, and also be such a nice guy?
“Want me to show you the town?”
“Sure. Shall I park?”
She laughed. “It won’t take that long. Just drive in a straight line.”
As he drove she pointed out the landmarks and before long they were near the end of the main street.
“There’s the pub, at the end of the shops.”
“It looks lively.”
“Hah! That’s nothing. Tomorrow night the place will be rocking.”
“Rocking?”
“You know, dancing and yahooing?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever yahoo’d. Sounds intriguing.”
“Sounds like you need a night at Clem’s to get the complete Heaven Bay experience.”
“Hmmm. Are you teasing me?”
“You’ll have to wait and see, won’t you?”
In the street lights, his eyes twinkled back at her. “I look forward to it.”
“Drop me at the edge of the parking lot. No need to walk me up.”
“There’s every need. It’s dark.”
“Hardly, not with an almost full moon.”
“Da
rk enough.”
“Okay, suit yourself.” She’d much rather he didn’t but couldn’t think of a way to stop him. The last thing she wanted was a confrontation with her father. For some reason, she wanted to keep tonight, not exactly a secret, but something for her alone. She sighed, and marched up the hill.
When they got to the front door she hesitated. “Do you mind if I don’t ask you in? I have a busy day tomorrow and an early night would be good. Especially if we’re going out tomorrow night.”
Evan handed her his card. “I understand, I’ve got my meeting tomorrow, so an early night wouldn’t hurt after a full-on day like today. Give me a call if anything changes, otherwise I’ll come collect you tomorrow night.”
“I could meet you there?”
“I’d rather collect you.”
“Afraid I might stand you up?”
“There is that.”
Then he bent towards her, and she froze. But he merely touched her lips with his, then withdrew.
“Night.” He grinned at her.
“Night.” She grinned back.
He walked down the hill, his soft laughter echoing her own.
Tonight had been great, and she wondered if you could spend a few hours with someone and feel something that wasn’t merely about attraction. She was attracted to him, but she’d never believed in love at first sight. Sure, her parents had been in love, had been devoted, but not many marriages lasted these days.
Hell! Where had the word ‘marriage’ come from? And why would she be thinking anything like that after a few hours with this attractive, sexy man?
She needed to get a grip. Enjoy time with Evan, then say goodbye. Nothing else. She didn’t need any more ties, when all she wanted was to sail the world.
She went inside, fingers touching her tingling lips, the smell of him lingering on Heaven’s sweet air.
Chapter Six
The factory Evan was visiting proved to be in bigger trouble than he’d thought from his research in San Francisco. Yesterday he’d met the owner and his head team, and today he was permitted to walk around the place with a supervisor. Days like this could be awkward, especially when the owners or managers were older, as they often were. Then Evan had his work cut out for himself. It was hard to show that he was knowledgeable about what could make them better or more efficient, in the time he spent with them, if they were already thinking negatively about his ability due to his age, or the outcome.
Pearson Packaging was a small operation, but they had a great product—a plastic strapping as strong as steel but totally recyclable, that was innovative and timely. Knight Industries was heavy on sustainability and Evan knew that would be a huge draw for the board, if nothing else appealed.
The supervisor, a wary gray-haired man who was probably perfectly nice if you didn’t want to tell him how to do his job, was explaining that Heaven Bay was off the beaten track, which cost them too much in haulage, driving prices up and making them uncompetitive.
“That’s something we might be able to help Pearson’s with. Knight Industries have our own fleet, and we’re countrywide.”
“I’ve heard of them, but not locally, or even very close.”
“True, but not so far away that a diversion couldn’t be made.”
“And be worthwhile?”
“I’ve been crunching numbers on most things, and I believe it’s doable, but this is a preliminary meeting. There’s nothing concrete yet.”
“I see. Would a takeover affect any jobs here?”
“That’s also something that is far too early to say, Mr. Cartwright. If Mr. Pearson isn’t interested then that’s where we’ll leave it. Not point in getting people’s hopes up or disappointing anyone if it doesn’t happen.”
“I understand. It’s hard when you’ve been with a company since the beginning. I’m happy here, as are most of the staff. We’re like family, and can’t imagine working anywhere else.”
Evan had read the report on the staff and knew that Dan Cartwright had been with the company for thirty years. It wasn’t an old company, but when you were talking about people’s history it was literally a working lifetime.
Before he could offer a platitude, a man came sauntering up to him. Not just any man. The idiot from the boat yesterday.
“We meet again.”
“We do.”
Evan’s uninterested manner obviously irritated Sean. He pushed his chest out. “Sean Whittle, head of sales.”
“How long have you been doing that?”
“About two years.”
“I see.” Evan made a mental note to find out how Mr. Pearson felt about Sean.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing really. I did notice the profits seem to have taken a tumble over that period. Any suggestions why that would be?”
“Why you . . . Don’t you insinuate that this company’s bad management is somehow my fault.”
“Did I?”
Evan saw that Dan was enjoying the exchange, but the older man kept silent, although his parting remark did seem to hit a nerve with Sean.
“This company used to be amazing. I hope it will be again. I better get back to work. Good luck, young man.”
“Thanks. And good luck to you.”
Sean glared after him. “The only good luck he needs is to keep his job. He’s too old, as is the owner.”
“What did Mr. Pearson say when you told him that?”
“What? I’m only telling you because I thought you should know.”
“Thanks, but I can make up my own mind.”
“Please yourself, but you have to admit that Pearson’s is far more lucrative than the marina.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you do. The marina’s going under and no matter that Macy pretends that everything’s rosy, there’s too much of it that’s run down and no money to do anything about it.”
“I didn’t know the business was struggling.”
“So you weren’t there yesterday to look it over?”
Evan had heard enough. “I can’t discuss that with you.”
Sean tapped his nose with a finger. “Just between us.”
The idea made Evan want to hit the guy. He was narcissistic and determined to throw everyone else under the bus. But why did he want to hurt Macy?
“You’ve known Macy for a while?”
“We went through school together. She and I were an item before I went away to college.”
He was so smug and he didn’t have to say more, the innuendo was all there. “She didn’t go?”
“Her mom died and someone had to look after the business because her father was a mess for years. Never got over it apparently, and is still a bit crazy. Silly old coot wanders off sometimes.”
“Thanks for filling in me, it’s mighty kind of you, but I better get going. I’ve got more people to talk to.”
Sean did not pick up on the sarcasm. Instead he pushed out his chest once more, causing his beer belly to wobble.
“If you have any questions about the company, then you come find me. My office is on the same floor as the owner.”
His sense of self-importance was ugly to witness and Evan couldn’t wait to get away from the man. He felt he’d gleaned a lot of information. What he could or would do with it wasn’t yet clear.
Chapter Seven
That night, Macy waited for Evan at the bottom of the hill, on the footpath that circumnavigated the marina and led into town. When he arrived, he got out of his car and waved. As she walked towards him she felt the pull of attraction, as if he had her on a piece of string. This, amongst other things, made her nervous. A second date, when first dates had become all but extinct, was a little scary.
“You look lovely,” he said.
She’d taken more care than usual, and her one decent dress, although tired and out of date, was clean. She felt good. Red suited her dark complexion, tanned most of the year by the sun.
Sin
ce she wasn’t used to dresses, she would have to remember that she couldn’t sit like she normally would. As a Sailor, she was out of practice in the ladylike business.
“Thanks. You scrub up quite well yourself.”
Evan laughed. “I hadn’t planned on going out so much, so I had to buy another shirt.”
“It must be great to be able to do that.” She could hear the edge in her own voice. Today, another final demand had come in the post and they couldn’t pay it. Not unless she sold one of the boats. That would nearly finish her father, and she had no idea how to tell him.
“It is. Look, I don’t mean to pry, but is the business not doing so well?”
She went rigid. It was as if he’d read her mind, and the last thing she wanted tonight was pity. She was doing nicely with that on her own.
“It’s slow right now, mainly due to the season, but nothing to worry about.”
“Glad to hear it. Are we walking?”
She relaxed a little. “Of course, it’s not far, and it’s a nice evening, isn’t it?”
They began to walk towards town, and Evan took her hand. “Gorgeous. Like you.”
She blushed. “Stop that. I can’t take you seriously when you say stuff like that.”
“I’m wounded, but I do want you to take me seriously.”
“Evan, you’ll be gone in two days. Let’s simply enjoy the night. Please.”
“Sorry, you’re quite right.”
As they got to the main street, she dropped his hand in the pretense of fixing her sandal. No point in giving the whole town fodder when they already had plenty about her family to keep them busy.
They could hear the music from the end of the first block. Lights beckoned them, and as they got closer so did the people who had spilled out onto the street.
There were lots of welcomes and Macy steeled herself for the barrage of questions that would surely come her way. She didn’t have to wait long, although this one was welcome.
“Macy! Hi, darling. How are you and that father of yours?”
“We’re fine, Sully. What are you doing out here?”
Restless Billionaire (Billionaire Knights Book 1) Page 3