Page 19 of The Cask

He licked his lips. “Five years ago. I used the capital from my online store that I started while I was in undergrad to open a bar in D.C. That did well so I decided to open something in Richmond.”

“Why Richmond?” I wondered.

There was a flash of something in his eyes and he looked uncharacteristically uncomfortable. “I have family here.” He cleared his throat. “But when the business that originally purchased the spot across the street pulled out and the owner wanted to do a quick sale, I jumped on the opportunity.”

“It seemed like it happened quickly.”

He nodded. “It did. The paperwork typically takes the longest part, but I had some help in that department.”

“You have an inside man in the city?”

“Inside woman,” he corrected with a smirk.

“Interesting.” I tapped the desk and eyed him. “Using your masculine wiles to get approval, I see.”

His head fell back as a deep chuckle erupted from his belly. “Masculine wiles? What?”

He fucked someone for an expedited permit.Even though I was smiling, I shook my head.Do they ever talk about how men try to fuck their way to the top? Or does that double standard only apply to women?

I had such a rough time getting my permits and licenses for The Cask because I was a twenty-three-year-old Black woman with a lot of capital and a plan to do something different. It took me a year to get everything I needed to finally open my dream. He did it in what looked like a few minutes.

I added another reason as to why he deserved to feel my wrath.

He thinks he’s going to traipse his ass onto my block and steal—

My phone vibrated against my desk.

Louis Martin:Are you in your office?

Ebony Montresor:Yes. But I’m in a meeting. I’ll meet you in the kitchen in twenty minutes.

Louis Martin:Got it boss.

Ebony Montresor:Extra meat was delivered for sliders this weekend. While I wrap this up, will you please check the inventory to make sure we have everything we need to get through the week and the festival?

That’ll keep him busy for at least fifteen minutes.

I looked up to find Omari staring at me. My stomach knotted. “What?” I asked softly, putting my phone down.

“Just watching you,” he said in a deep, sexy way that caused my entire lower body to clench.

“Why?”

“Because you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere with me,” I warned.

“That’s fine.” He paused. “That may have been flattering, but that wasn’t flattery. That was the truth.”

I pursed my lips. “The truth, huh?”

“Yeah. And I’m just hoping the truth will get me somewhere.”

“And what’s your truth?”

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we met.”

My lips curved upward. “And why do you think that is?”

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