The foyer was dramatic, two full stories in height, with a river stone feature wall that camouflaged the short hallway to the restrooms. The reception desk was carved from driftwood, another feature duplicated at each of the other restaurants. The hanging lights had burnished copper shades, and occasional tables were decorated with large, earth-toned pottery vases filled with fresh flowers.
Beyond the foyer, muted saltwater fish tanks were interspersed with privacy screens that dampened sound and broke up the tables in the main dining room. Caleb planned to take Jules to the second floor where they would overlook dining tables and the open kitchen, and be parallel to one of the features—a carved redwood chandelier inset with nautical glass floats.
Jules leaned close to him, speaking beneath the murmur of conversations. “This place is stunning.”
“We renovated two years ago.”
“You should be taking someone else on this date.”
Her words made him grin with amusement.
“You know,” she elaborated. “Someone who’s impressed by you, who’d be bowled over by your power and prestige, where you’d at least have a chance...”
“I got your meaning,” he said.
Regular date or not, he didn’t want to be with anyone but Jules right now. Their relationship was beyond complicated, but for now she was here, and that was his initial goal.
Having assisted the other customers, the maître d’ approached. “Good evening, Mr. Watford.”
“Hello, Fred. It’s nice to see you.” Caleb shook the man’s hand.
“I didn’t realize you were joining us tonight.” Fred’s gaze moved to Jules.
“It was a last-minute decision. This is Jules Parker.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Parker. Welcome to Neo.”
Jules tipped her head back to gaze at the soaring space. “This place is spectacular.”
“I’m so pleased you think so,” Fred responded. “Did you have a seating preference this evening?” he asked Caleb.
“Something on the second floor? On the rail?”
“Absolutely.” Fred motioned to one of the hosts, who immediately came forward.
“Table seventy,” Fred said.
“This way, please,” the crisply dressed man offered, gesturing with his arm.
Caleb put his hand lightly on the small of Jules’s back, guiding her forward.
“Be careful on the stairs, ma’am,” the host cautioned over his shoulder.
The polished stair rail was subtly illuminated, and there were mini lights in the seams of the stairs, making it as safe as possible for patrons.
Caleb followed her up and waited while the host pulled out her chair and placed her napkin.
“Very nice view,” she noted gazing across the room and down to the dining area below. “Is that a real ship’s bell? Is everything antique?”
“It is. Most of the decor is from the twentieth century, but it’s all authentic.”
“I’m stealing some of these ideas.”
“Good.”
She turned her teasing attention to him. “You don’t care?”
“It’ll make it easier for us to coordinate efforts.”
“You don’t miss an opportunity, do you?”
“Never.”
She seemed to reconsider her approach. “The Crab Shack is not going to be Neo’s poor cousin.”
“I never suggested that.”
“Everything you’ve said and done is suggesting that.”
“Poor cousin is a negative term.”
There was a sudden rattle of dishes, and the floor beneath them vibrated.
Jules eyes widened, and she gripped the edge of the table.
“It’s a small earthquake,” he assured her. It wasn’t the first he’d experienced in San Francisco. “This building is designed to withstand—”
But the rumbling beneath them increased. The lights swayed, and some glassware fell over, shattering. A couple of people screamed.
“Caleb?”
Caleb jumped to his feet. “Shelter under your tables!” he called to the patrons around him, projecting his voice over the rail and to the people below. “The building is earthquake-proof. Get down, but stay put. You’re safer in place than trying to exit.”
The shaking increased. “Everybody under the tables,” he called louder. “Staff, help anyone who needs it.”
He quickly moved to Jules, assisting her as she crawled under their table. “You’ll be fine,” he told her.
Then he looked around, seeing an older couple struggling. He quickly gave them a hand.
The shaking increased alarmingly, becoming more violent. Decorations began falling from the walls, and the dishes were cascading from their tables.