Page 73 of A Better Place

“Exactly.”

“When?”

“Tonight?” I ask as a question and wince. His restaurant has become well-known all around Michigan, and even on a Sunday night, his tables are filled to capacity.

“You’re killing me, James.” He groans.

“Sorry?”

“It has to be tonight? That table?”

“Tonight,” I confirm. “And yeah, that’s the best of the house. You know this. I expect nothing less.”

“You would,” he jokes. “For you, anything.”

“Yeah?” I ask, already feeling the excitement of our evening coursing through my veins.

“Wouldn’t even be a restaurant to come to if it weren’t for you,” he tells me.

“Nah, I just gave you the tools, remember? You did the hard work.”

“Priceless, those tools were. When I say anything for you, I mean it.”

His praise humbles me. It’s not every restaurant that becomes the success that The Shore has, and it also isn’t every restaurant owner who appreciates my input. Working with Harrison was a pleasure, but to hear from him how much he appreciated what I did with him makes the entire process more than worth it.

“You’re the best, man. Thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he says, chuckling.

“Oh, and I know I don’t have to ask, but I’m going to anyway…”

“The chocolate tiramisu truffles?” he asks, anticipating that I’ll be requesting one of the best forms of dessert I’ve ever had.

“You know it.”

“Chocolate fan?”

“Doesn’t even begin to cover it,” I smile.

“Sounds like a winner to me,” he says.

“You have no idea.”

“Eight o’clock alright?”

“Perfect.”

“See you tonight. I expect an intro, you know. Known you for five years, and never once have I heard you mention a girl, much less bring one around. She must be something special.”

“She is. She’s everything.” I tell him something I’ve told Carly before, but it deserves to be said to the masses.

“Yeah, I definitely need introduced.”

“You got it. I gotta get going. Have some more phone calls to make. See you at eight, and thank you, again,” I say.

“No problem. See you tonight,” Harrison says.

“See ya,” I say before hanging up.

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