Their server set their appetizers down in front of them, and Sydney divided their salad onto two plates.
“Yeah, I’m sure you’ll get bored by him if you know him better,” she said. “What was it like at work today?”
Margot shrugged.
“Fine, normal. We were totally civil, even friendly. I tried not to react too much when he made me laugh. He’s really good at the job, though—totally charmed a group of retired women who had an early-afternoon appointment, they stayed for hours and bought a case of wine between the three of them. Taylor told me that. She likes him, too.”
Margot looked at the expression on Sydney’s face.
“I know what you’re going to say—I didn’t ask her about him, she volunteered it! She likes Marisol, the other new person, too; although she’s not as good with the customers, she’s great with learning the wines and inventory and stuff. But Taylor thinks she’ll get there with the customer service.”
Sydney scooped some burrata onto a piece of bread.
“That’s great, but unless you also slept with Marisol the night before she started her job, I don’t really care how much Taylor likes her.”
Margot dissolved into giggles. This was why she kept Sydney around—she could make even the worst things funny.
“I did not, thanks for asking. She is my type, but don’t worry—I will now never have sex with anyone before finding out exactly where they work. Maybe even where they might hope to work sometime in the future.”
Sydney lifted her glass.
“I’ll toast to that. But I also think your idea of sleeping with someone else and getting this guy out of your system is a good one. And don’t worry—I’m sure he’ll show his asshole side at work soon. Men always do.”
Sydney was almost certainly right about that. She was definitely kind of a misanthrope, after years of working in, and now owning, restaurants, but many of her pessimistic pronouncements about men had proved themselves to be correct.
“Good point,” Margot said. “Anyway, enough about me— How’s the restaurant been this week? Sorry I haven’t been by—between trying to figure out some initial details for this anniversary party and all of the other winery stuff, I’ve been swamped.”
“Don’t worry about it—you aren’t obligated to come in to test our new recipes, you know.”
Margot grinned at her.
“I know, but your chef trusts my palate more than anyone else.”
Sydney sighed.
“Unfortunately for your ego, that is correct. But to answer your question, things have been good this week—for the past month, really. Business is looking up.”
“Really?” Margot asked. She knew how touch and go the last year had been for Sydney. “Oh, Syd, I’m so glad.”
The proud, relieved expression on Sydney’s face made Margot so happy.
“Yeah,” Sydney said. “Me, too.”
They clinked their glasses and grinned at each other.
“How are plans for the party going?” Sydney asked. “I can’t believe you managed to convince your brother that it was a good idea.”
“He doesn’t quite think it’s a good idea, but he’s at least resigned to it now.” Margot made a face. “I think.”
“He’d better be,” Sydney said. “Obviously, you know we’re in, right, to do some food for the party? Just let me know what your budget is and Charlie will come up with a great snack to serve.”
She could always count on Sydney.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I’ll get you numbers this week so you two can plan.”
The server came over to clear their appetizer plates, when something made Margot look up.
“What is it?” Sydney asked.
Margot shook her head.
“Nothing. I . . . Nothing.” She must really be around the bend if she was hearing Luke’s voice out of the blue. Plenty of men had voices that sounded like his.
“Oh, and speaking of the party . . .”
Her voice trailed away. The hostess was walking toward her. And behind the hostess, obviously going to their own cozy table for two, were Luke and a woman. Clearly on a date.
Shit, this wasn’t just a woman. This was Avery Jensen, an event planner Margot knew casually and was supposed to have breakfast with later this week to ask her questions about details for the party. Oh God.
“Margot?” Sydney said.
Margot didn’t have time to warn Sydney. Luke would notice her any second. She just had to trust in Sydney’s poker face.