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“Your mom must have loved that.”
“The whole family going to Mass together? More than the fact that her son successfully opened his own restaurant.” I smile, knowing it’s not an exaggeration.
“So you didn’t even talk to Chari?”
“Not really. We didn’t get much past small talk. There was a moment when it seemed like something might happen, but it never got off the ground.”
“Because?”
I roll my eyes. “Because Devon.”
“You think he’d be pissed?”
I’ve thought of nothing else since walking into that bar on Friday night.
“If I screwed his little sister? I’m thinking yes.”
Hayden goes quiet. And then, “So, what if you dated her?”
I was lifting my glass for a sip, and my hand freezes in midair. Hayden knows I don’t date. Go on dates, yes. But relationships? Not since college. Not with a soon-to-be international business to run.
I lower my glass and say, “You know I don’t have time for a relationship. At least one of us needs to actually be available at all times.”
Hayden’s hand flies to his chest, as if wounded. But my comment didn’t shut him down. “Be real,” he says. “You don’t have time, or you won’t make time?”
“Hayden,” I warn.
“I’m just saying.”
“Switzerland is our European test market,” I remind him. “Something we’ve been after for two years. This is huge.”
I don’t finish the thought because it’s not necessary. Hayden understands. If I had a family too, I wouldn’t be able to cover for him in Switzerland. He’s tied down, which is fine, but I’m not so sure the business can keep growing, keep expanding, if both of us had a family to put first. Not that I blame him or hold a grudge. We’ve been down this road before, and both of us are fully aware of my inability to delegate. Besides, my time may come too.
Someday, but not yet.
Hayden stands up. “Well, if that’s the way you feel, appears you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
“Yeah, no kidding.”
“Glad I could be of assistance.”
I stare at him incredulously as he saunters toward the door. “Are you serious? I’m going to Switzerland, and you gave me jack in the way of advice. Useless.”
“As if you’d take my advice.”
In matters of women? He’s probably right.
He turns in the doorway, smirking. “There’s always Wednesday. Thanks, Enz.”
As the door shuts behind him, I figure out his meaning. Wednesday. Giovanna. Or someone like her, to take off the edge.
It’s not terrible advice, but I hate the idea, which tells me I’m in even more trouble than I thought.
8
Chari
“Mom home?”
