Page 72 of So I'll Know
“Marcus, it’s good to see you again.” Ryan crosses his legs at the ankle and shifts his weight forward in his chair. “Tell me about the bar.”
He always gives me the third degree whenever I meet with them, but now that I know he’s actively looking for reasons to keep me off the board, I’m starting to better understand why he looks down on the pub. The only reason he agreed to fund the pub years ago was as a favor to my father. I don’t think he’s even met my brother; Sebastian never rubbed elbows with Dad’s business partners the way I used to.
“It’s a pub, sir,” I correct through gritted teeth.
He looks at me blankly. “I didn’t know there was a difference.”
“‘Pub’ is short for apublic house, actually. The variety and quality of food are the main differences.” I try to keep my voice neutral, but I suspect my resting dick face might be making an appearance.
Ryan stares at me, and then his face cracks into what I think is a smile. “Well, you should know since you’re the expert, as you should be. Tell me about your timeline, Marcus. We’ve had something come up, and we want to onboard you as soon as possible.”
Liar.“Something?”
He waves his hand. “I’m sure your father mentioned this potential merger with Pine Investments.”
“He did.” I clear my throat. “So, you want the pub open and running by April?” Ryan gives a tight nod, and I look sideways at my dad since we already discussed this. “I can make some calls. We were on track for a summer opening, but I think I can push it earlier.”
I’m suddenly glad I’m sitting down because lying to Ryan on my father’s behalf while also lying to my father is exhausting. If I get my way, these assholes will be out of the picture by April first, and I’ll be looking for real estate somewhere quiet and very far away.
Ryan’s mouth tightens into a thin line. “It’s the end of November. What exactly is taking so much time?”
I shrug. “Permits, mostly.”
Ryan gives my father a sharp look. “Didn’t we fast-track their permits? Do I need to make some calls?”
“You did,” I cut in quickly, “when we were renovating. These are details like our liquor license, food-handler permits, and our entertainment license, and a few other ends to tie up.” I sit up straighter, crossing my legs to keep from fidgeting. “We’re in the interior-design planning process now, and then we’ll actuallystart on execution once I approve everything. And then there’s the menu planning, which Sebastian will start soon.”
“Interior design?” Ryan looks frustrated.
I swallow a laugh because I think this conversation is difficult for him. He’s not accustomed to talking business about something he knows nothing about.
Regina has been typing on her phone the entire time, pausing every now and then to take large gulps of coffee. I can’t tell if she’s ignoring us or taking notes.
“Yes, the interior ambiance is arguably the most important part of a restaurant, aside from the location and the menu.”
My father looks at Ryan. “I told you Marcus was in control of the situation. You need to relax.”
Ryan takes a deep breath. “Since you didn’t bring any documentation, Marcus, can you email me your timeline?” His voice drips with disapproval.
“Of course. I’ll send it this afternoon.”
There’s a knock at the conference room door, and all eyes turn to my father’s receptionist. “Sir, Ben and Sabrina Pine are here.”
“Perfect timing. Send them in.”
We sit in silence, and after a moment, Ben Pine enters the room, holding the door for the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She’s about my age, tall with tan skin and curly black hair that barely brushes her shoulders. Her figure is curvy but muscular, and she’s wearing blood-red lipstick and a black pantsuit with high heels that make her legs look about a mile long. She takes the seat across from me, and Ben joins her.
Looking at Ben, I see where Sabrina gets a lot of her features, though his wavy black hair is shot through with gray and his lips have a pinched look about them.
Sabrina gives my father a tolerant smile. When she leans forward to shake his hand, I notice a beaded bracelet on herwrist that seems oddly out of place, like one of those Taylor Swift friendship bracelets Tristan’s gran makes all the time.
“Ben, Sabrina,” my father starts, “I’m glad you could join us today.”
Regina stands, and when she starts talking about the bottom line for our companies merging, I finally understand why she was hired. I start to zone out as she drones on, using words like dividends and synergy to impress the Pines—as if they weren’t aware of all this as our biggest competitors.
Why do I even have to be here for this?
After about twenty minutes, I glance up to find Sabrina watching me. Her eyes are curious and a little skeptical, and I shift in my seat, wondering if I look like a teenager trying to get through math class without falling asleep.
