Brody shook his head. “It doesn’t have to be fancy.”
Martin stepped forward and placed a hand on the bartender’s shoulder. “What we’re looking for is something simple, which is what you’re good at. I’ve seen the way you prepare and plate food. It’s exactly what we want featured for our relaunch.”
Anthony shook his head, an argument already forming on his lips. Why did he have to doubt himself so much? Brady wondered. “I can do that, but…” His Adam’s apple worked up and down in rapid succession. “Man, I can’t afford to lose this job.”
Martin’s brows pinched together. “What do you mean, Anthony? Why would you lose your job?”
“Well…” He shot a nervous glance between Brody and his father. “After what happened to Travis and Gary, I figured I’d be on a pretty short leash.”
Yeah, which was precisely what Brody knew Anthony was going to say. And he didn’t blame the guy. Everyone was pretty much walking on eggshells around there, especially when Martin showed up and started casing the place like some bad imitation of a security guard.
Only the other staff didn’t need to worry. Not like Brody did. He was seriously putting all his eggs in one basket.
A basket named Anthony.
Martin dropped his hand from the bartender’s shoulder, then slid both hands in his pants pockets. “You don’t need to worry about that.” He tossed a look at Brody that said “You’re the one who needs to worry.”
Yeah, he got that.
Martin continued. “All we need you to focus on is continuing to learn the kitchen and getting ready to have your dishes photographed. And, if it’ll make you feel better, you can choose which shots get published. And we won’t send them to the magazine without your approval.”
Brody wasn’t about to go that far, to give the former bartender that much control. But if that’s what it took to get Anthony on board, he was all for it. Anything to get the show on the road.
Both he and his father waited for what seemed like hours while Anthony contemplated their offer. In the meantime, more beads of sweat popped up on the big man’s smooth head, which Brody took as a sign that Anthony was way overthinking the situation. He kept his patience and remained silent, even though what he really wanted to do was smack the guy upside the head.
“Okay,” Anthony finally said.
And Brody felt part of the weight lift off his shoulders.
ELEVEN
IN THE PAST HOUR ELISA had been peed on, spit on, had food thrown at her, and managed to dodge half a dozen flying toys.
This babysitting business wasn’t for the fainthearted, especially with an energetic, outspoken toddler with a shrill set of lungs. Had she known what a hurricane little Mason McDermott was, she might have thought twice before volunteering. About twenty minutes ago, an opportunity for sweet solitude presented itself with Mason’s naptime. However, after ten straight minutes of blood-curdling screaming, Elisa had reached her limit and whisked the boy out of his crib.
Her main objective this morning was to give Lacy some rest. How could Elisa do that if Mason’s ear-piercing shrieks threatened to bring the walls down?
Lacy had said to turn on some cartoons if Mason was driving her insane. That was all fine and dandy, if Elisa could locate the remote control for the television.
She’d just righted the couch cushions, when she spotted Mason trying to shove Ritz crackers into the DVD player. How had he gotten his hands on crackers?
“Mason, no.” Elisa lunged for him a split second before he could ruin an expensive piece of electronics. She settled him in his high chair and dropped the crackers on the tray. “Okay, you just stay right there,” she told him, and continued on her quest for the remote. The thing had to be here somewhere, unless Mason had found it and put it someplace really unorthodox, like the freezer.
She finally located the remote, tucked underneath the sofa. Just as Elisa retrieved it, Mason squealed and slapped his hands on the tray of his high chair, as though celebrating his babysitter’s small victory.
Every single cracker she’d given him was now on the floor, in a complete 360-degree radius around his chair. Honestly, how did Avery watch this kid every day and keep her sanity? Elisa hadn’t been here that long, and her head felt like it was locked in a vise grip.
After sweeping up the crackers, she pulled Mason out of his chair, kicking legs and all, and settled him on the living room floor. His little round face broke into a toothy grin when she found a suitable cartoon for him.
The bouncing characters on the TV screen wouldn’t hold his attention for very long. Elisa used the opportunity to slip down the hallway and check on Lacy. The mother-to-be was on her back, looking decidedly bored while flipping through the TV channels. She expelled a breath and glanced over when Elisa entered the room.
“I never realized how completely useless daytime television is until I got stuck in bed. And I can’t sleep because my heartburn is too bad.”
Elisa came to a stop next to the bed. “Can I get you some medicine?” The poor woman had to be so uncomfortable, not being able to get up at all.
Lacy grinned and set the remote down. “Thanks, but I’ve already taken the maximum dosage for the day. I just have to deal.” She placed her hands underneath her and scooted herself farther up the headboard. “I’m sorry if Mason’s a handful. Cartoons are the best way of getting him to stay still for more than ten minutes.”
Elisa offered a reassuring smile. “He’s just being a toddler. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“I’m shocked Avery hasn’t run screaming for the hills by now. The woman has iron-clad patience. And I am so ready to get these babies out of me. But I have no earthly clue how I’m going to handle three kids.”
“Brody mentioned you’re having twins.”
Lacy giggled and ran her hands in circles over her huge belly. “Yes, we’re having two more boys. I think I had a coronary when we found out. But my husband, Chase, couldn’t stop smiling. He’s pretty pleased with himself.”
“I think men consider it a personal achievement when they have sons, like it’s a sign of their masculinity.”
“Let me tell you, the McDermotts have no problems spitting out sons. It would be nice to have some more girls in this family.” She ran her green eyes over Elisa in assessment. “So you and Brody are friends?”
Were they friends? More important, was it normal to fantasize about friends?
“I’ve done some photography work for him, and I watch Tyler after school while his mother is gone.”
Lacy nodded and continued to gaze at Elisa. Was the woman fishing for information? How much had Brody told her?
“The reason why I ask is because Brody was kind of vague about your relationship. Not that it’s any of my business. I was just curious.”
That still left Elisa wondering what he’d told his sister-in-law.
Just because Brody had been vague didn’t mean Elisa had to be as well. It’s not like they were engaged in a hot, scandalous affair. So, they’d kissed once. So what? People kiss all the time. That didn’t mean the two parties involved needed to sneak around, undercover.
“Yeah, I’d say we’re friends. I like Brody.” Elisa almost said she loved spending time with Brody too. But would Lacy turn around and repeat all this to Brody?
“And you’d like to be with him more,” Lacy concluded.
Wait, had Elisa voiced her thoughts out loud? How had Lacy figured that out?
Brody was a man she could lose her heart to. Elisa was fully aware of how devastating he could be to her. For some reason her heart didn’t want to listen to her head. The naughty side of her wanted to indulge and see what one night with him would be like.