But she didnt know Chloes schedule. She had no idea if 11:30 was too late. Truth be told, Danielle had been having trouble falling asleep before two in the morning as of late. Tonight was one of her rare nights off from the lounge and also a night where she was not needed for any sort of sign-offs or approvals for the renovation of the bar her boyfriend bought for her.
She quickly pushed all thoughts of work out of her head as she searched for sleep. If she started thinking about work and everything on her plate, she would never get back to sleep.
Once again, she thought of Chloe. She wondered what sorts of dreams and nightmares her sister had about their parents. She wondered if she was still hung up on the idea of freeing their father and, if so, whether she had decided to keep it to herself.
Eventually, sleep caught back up to her. When it did, Danielles last thought was of her sister. She thought of Chloe and wondered if it was finally time to forgive and forgetto let the memories of their father stop roadblocking her from a meaningful relationship with Chloe.
She was surprised at how happy the thought made herso happy that when she did fall asleep again, there were the thinnest little traces of a smile on her face.
***The young bartender who had been hired as her replacement had caught on quickly. She was twenty years old, drop-dead gorgeous, and was like some sort of savant at reading drunk men. Because she was doing so well, Danielle was able to meet with her boyfriend and the contractors at the building that would be her own pub and restaurant in about a month and a half.
Today, there was HVAC work being done, as well as some last-minute paneling in a back room that would serve as a reserved room for larger parties. When she arrived at the scene, her boyfriend was looking over a contract with an electrician. They were sitting at one of the tables that had recently been unpackedone of three set-ups Danielle was supposed to choose from in terms of the types of tables shed have in the restaurant.
Her boyfriend saw her as she entered. He quickly said something to the electrician and then came over to meet her. His name was Sam Dekker and while he wasnt necessarily the most honest or intelligent man, he made up for it in rugged good looks and a shrewd yet refined business acumen. He was about eight inches taller than she was so when he gave her a quick kiss, he had to lean down to do so.
Reporting for duty, she said. What can I do today?
Sam shrugged, looking around the place in an almost theatrical fashion. Honestly, I dont think theres too much you can do. Its all starting to fall into place. I know it might seem silly, but you might want to start looking through the ABC catalogue and figure out which brands of liquor you prefer to serve. Go ahead and figure out where you want the little overhead speakers for music and things like that. Those are the sorts of things that get lost in the shuffle and suddenly pop up as last-minute nuisances near the end of the project.
I guess I can do that, she said, a little disappointed.
There were days when she stepped onto the renovation site and felt as if Sam was really just entertaining hergiving her menial tasks to do so he could handle the important things. It felt degrading in a sense but she also had to remind herself that Sam knew what he was doing. He had opened three bars that were doing incredibly well, one of which he sold to some big national company last year for more than ten million dollars.
And now he was choosing to back her in her own little endeavor. It was an endeavor that hed had to talk her into. He insisted that she had the smarts to run a place like this, but only after all of the moving parts had been set into place.
Most girls that date semi-wealthy guys get jewelry and cars, she thought as she walked to the soon-to-be lounge area. MeI got a bar. Not a bad deal, I guess.
She did feel a little out of her depth most of the time when she thought about the road ahead. Shed actually be in charge of a place. Shed be running things and making decisions. There was also a degree of guilt to it as well. She felt the opportunity had been handed to her for no real reason other than she had happened to end up in a relationship with a guy that knew how to get businesses started. As a result, she was aware that there were many things she had to sacrifice and things she simply allowed Sam to get away with. She never questioned his late nights out, always buying the stories that he was in meetings or with contractors, wining and dining them. Shed been a part of some of those meetings, so she knew it was truemost of the time.
She also felt that she had to show her appreciation as often as she could. That meant not nagging when she didnt see him for several days. It meant not getting too up in arms when he expected certain things in the bedroom. It meant not getting pissy because despite buying her a bar and trusting her to run it, the whole idea of marriage had not been mentioned a single time. Danielle was pretty sure Sam had no intentions of getting married. And for now, she was fine with that, so she saw no reason to argue about it.
Besideswhat did she have to complain about? Shed finally met a guy who treated her like royaltywhen he was aroundand she seemed to be on a path to easily earned success.
Its because most things that seem too good to be true usually are, she thought.
When she reached the room that was going to be the lounge area, she pulled the digital blueprints up on her phone. She made indications where the speakers could go and also made a note about potentially adding some sort of tinted window along the back wall. It was in doing things like this that she felt the dream of it all becoming a reality. Somehow, this was all really happening to her.
Hey
She turned and saw Sam standing in the framed doorway. He was smiling at her and looking at her with the hungry expression he often shot her way when he was feeling frisky.
Hey yourself, she said.
I know it seems like I just brushed you off, he said. But reallythese next few weeks, all Im really going to need from you are a few signatures.
Youre working me too hard, she joked.
I fully intended for your training with the newbie at the bar to take longer. Its not my fault we ended up hiring a bartending genius. He approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She had to look up into his eyes but it always made her feel safe for some odd reason; it made her feel like this man would always literally watch over her.
Lets grab lunch later today, Sam said. Something simple. Pizza and beer.
Sounds good.
And tomorrowwhat do you say we go somewhere. A beachSouth Carolina or somewhere like that.
Really? That seems spontaneous and very much like a burden to all of this work around us. In other wordsit sounds nothing like you.
I know. But Ive been getting so wrapped up in this project andI realize Ive been neglecting you. So I want to make it up to you.
Sam, youre giving me my own business. Thats more than enough.
Fine. Ill be selfish about it then. I want to get away from all of this and be naked and alone with you near the ocean. That sound better?
It does, actually.
Good. So go to the bar, check in on the newbie. Ill pick you up for lunch around noon.
She kissed him and although he was clearly rushing it, the sentiment of everything he had just said did not escape her. She knew it was hard for him to be emotional and sincere. She rarely saw that side of him so when she did, she dared not question it.