Stirring Up Trouble(58)

They didn’t say much on the twenty minute drive to Acropolis. The sun’s rays reflected off the newly fallen snow, making it sparkle like diamonds and brightening the chilly morning. She almost needed sunglasses. She’d have to add it to the list of things to buy before leaving for California.



She shifted, her back still tender from the tattoo she’d gotten last night. She’d waited until the last minute, hoping she’d have a reason to stay in Michigan. But after their fight, she realized she had to fulfill the ritual she performed before every move. It hadn’t taken her more than a minute to decide what she wanted inked on her skin. Since she was leaving tomorrow and didn’t have time for color, she’d only gotten the outline of the tattoo. If she couldn’t have the dream, she’d carry the memory of it wherever she went.





They pulled into the parking lot, got out of the car, and Braden unlocked the door to the restaurant. When they walked in, she flipped the light switch.



Nothing happened.



“Braden, the lights won’t turn on. Did we blow a fuse?” she asked, those butterflies turning into lead weights in her stomach.



“Let me check. The fuse box is back in the kitchen.” He grabbed a flashlight from a cubby at the hostess station and strolled calmly to the back of the restaurant. She waited for him at the bar and chewed on a straw.



A couple of minutes later, he came through the swinging doors, a scowl on his face. “It has nothing to do with the fuses. It’s got to be an outside problem. I’ll call the electric company.” He dialed on his cell. “Can you peek out the door and see if the other businesses on our block have power?”



She thought of Zeus and how his hair stood up straight when he was on guard. That’s how she felt right now. It couldn’t be a coincidence Acropolis had lost power on the day of the audits. It was sabotage, and she knew exactly where to point the finger.



She poked her head out the front door and scanned the area, determining the stores across the street and on either side of them had their power. She wasn’t surprised to see the street lights were also up and running.



Closing the door, she walked back to Braden who was pacing back and forth in front of the stage. “When can you fix it?” He paused, listening to the useless employee on the other end of the call. “No, that’s unacceptable. We can’t open for business unless we have power.” He stopped his pacing and stared at her, licking his lips.



She heated under his gaze, but tried not to let it show, straightening her head and throwing back her shoulders as she approached him.





“I will pay whatever it takes to make my business a priority.”



She reached up and took the phone from his ear then ended the call.



“What are you doing? Why did you do that?” he asked, panicked.



Although it was torture, she placed her hand on his shoulder to calm him. “It doesn’t help to yell at the grunts. They’ll get here when they get here.”



He nodded and exhaled. “And what do we do in the meantime?”



She gently patted his cheek. “Get ready.” She twirled around and walked toward the kitchen. “Are you coming?”



She wouldn’t allow Braden to lose the only thing he loved. She couldn’t let go of him unless she knew he had Acropolis. Without it, he’d never find the happiness he deserved. And she could give it to him. If she had to give up her own chance at happiness in order for him to achieve his, she could live with that.



Lola called Portia and gave her the lowdown on the situation. Portia promised to come as soon as she picked up the supplies and promised to bring reinforcements, whatever that meant. With the little details out of the way, Lola chewed on her straw, mulling over what to make for the food critic without an oven or stove.



“Bet you wish you had bought gas instead of electric, huh?” she asked Braden, trying to lighten the mood.



Braden’s grin surprised her. “Lola, you’re a genius.” He picked her up and spun her around. As if he could make her any dizzier. She always wobbled around him.



“I know,” she agreed. She tilted her head. “But what did I say?”



“There are other ways to cook than the oven and stove.”



“I didn’t think the microwave worked either,” she said playing dumb, spinning her straw in her fingers.





He didn’t fall for it. “You know what I’m talking about.”



“Yes, I do, and I think it’s a great idea.” She flipped her straw around in front of his face. “Do we have enough to feed an entire restaurant full of people?”