Page 81 of The Holy Grail
He cleared his throat and thought back to that night with Jules, when he’d told her all his ideas, and began speaking. After a few minutes, he began to relax, becoming more confident as his suggestions were met with more interest than disregard, and he found himself gathering steam and opening up even more. He told his brother and sister everything, about feeling like an under-appreciated employee with little value, whose ideas never got taken seriously, rather than a respected, equal owner. Evan then went on to talk about changes he’d implement if he could, from better music, a more appetizing bar menu, premium drinks, an inviting Happy Hour, to adding a large wall-mounted TV for sports-viewing pleasure, especially on the weekends.
When he was finally done, his siblings were gazing at him with something close to amazement—which Evan had never seen before—and Jules was wearing a proud smile, as if silently saying,Well done.
She did, however, call him out on the wall-mounted TV idea, which had been noticeably absent from his vision of a sophisticated, elegant space.
“I know,” he said. “That was my visionbefore, when it was still kind of possible, but that plane has left the runway, so it’s really time to move on from that and start thinking in a new direction … to find a happy medium. You know, incorporate traces of sophistication where they can be.”
“Those are good ideas,” Everett said, with Evelyn quickly agreeing.
“Thanks,” Evan replied, pleased.
“But I’m going to fight you on the live bands,” Everett added.
Evan frowned for a moment. “I might be willing to compromise on the live music, but only if I’m not working every night a band is playing.”
“That’s fair,” Evelyn immediately said, with Everett nodding.
A thoughtful silence fell over the group, and Jules watched the three siblings, pleased at how the meeting had gone. She was even more pleased when Everett looked over at her and said, “I’d like to have my salary lowered to $45,000, and the difference added to Evan’s.”
Chapter 24
Is he worthy?
Jules parked her car in front of Malcom’s townhouse and turned off the engine. As she was gathering her purse and overnight bag, her phone alerted her to an incoming text.
EVAN: I wanted to say thanks for what you did for me today at the meeting. I really appreciate it.
Settling back in her seat, she typed back a response.
JULES: You’re welcome. I’m glad everything went so well.
JULES: I’m not going to lie. Your brother is a bit of an asshole.
EVAN: He’s always been like that.
She watched as the three dots appeared, then disappeared, then reappeared.
EVAN: Speaking of being an asshole, I also wanted to apologize for being one the night we were talking about What’s-His-Name. I was out of line, and I should have apologized in person, because a texted apology is pretty chicken-shit … but I’m currently being a coward.
EVAN: It’s just hard to be around you, now.
At that, Jules felt her heart clench. She knew how he felt, because it was hard to be around him, too, and every time she saw him, it was like picking at a scab that wouldn’t heal. Try as she might, a part of her heart just wouldn’t let go of him.
JULES: I know, and I’m sorry.
EVAN: You shouldn’t be sorry for something you have no control over.
EVAN: But I just need to know … is he worthy?
She felt her eyes prickle at the question. The fact that he was, in a way, looking out for her happiness even now made her heart hurt—for him and for her. If she hadn’t decided to call Malcom, how different would things be?
And the answer was … likely very different.
JULES: Yes, he’s worthy. I think, under different circumstances, you would like him.
JULES: I sometimes wonder if I’m worthy.
EVAN: You’re more than worthy.
