He had little tolerance for any slipups or shoddy service or improperly prepared meals. His cooks and servers were thoroughly screened and trained and he paid well for their time and talents. But he had no qualms about letting anyone go that could not live up to the standards that he’d set. He was a hard taskmaster, but his staff knew that above all else he was fair. Michelle admired him for that and everything else that made up Spence Hampton.
“Full house.” Michelle eased up alongside him as he tasted the lobster bisque.
Spence took the wooden spoon and dropped it in the sink. He wiped his hands on his apron. “How are we doing outside?”
“Charles has started turning people away. We probably should have had two shows.”
Spence shook his head. “One show, one night. It gives it that much more cachet to have been here.” He winked at her, then crossed the wide, bustling kitchen, peeking over shoulders as he went. Michelle was close behind.
“The Lawson sisters are here.”
Spence’s step stuttered for a moment and Michelle bumped into his back.
“Oh, sorry.”
“Did they get seated?” He continued walking.
“Yes. Dominique got her table.”
He gave a short nod of his head. He checked his apron. “I’ll go out and say hello.”
Before Michelle could say another word, Spence had pushed through the swinging kitchen doors and stepped out into the main lounge. As she stood there, she wondered for the countless time what Dominique Lawson had that she didn’t. In her heart she knew the answer but refused to accept it. One day she would have him back, once and for all, and she’d never have to think about Dominique Lawson with Spence ever again.
Michelle was right, Spence thought as he took in the capacity crowd. Every table was taken, the couches were full, the bar was lined from end to end and the waiters and waitresses were doing double time to keep up.
After a bit of maneuvering, he eased around the mezzanine floor and worked his way toward Dominique’s table.
Desiree had her back to him, but he’d know that slender neck, the curve of her bare shoulders and those wild spiral cotton candy curls anywhere. Dominique, as usual, was busy charming the waiter, encased in a body hugging minidress that looked as if it was painted on. Spence smiled to himself as he approached.
“Ladies, ladies.” He looked from one to the other.
Dominique beamed. Spence slipped his arm around her waist and she did the same as she kissed his rugged cheek.
Desiree watched the exchange, thankful for the muted light that hid the longing in her eyes. Looking at the two of them together, one could easily conclude from their body language that they were lovers. Her stomach tensed. She glanced away and concentrated on her apple martini while her sister teased and cooed with Spence. He towered over her sister. His slender but hard body slid along the lines of her sister’s and she wished it was her. The deep chocolate of his smooth skin always made her hungry for what she knew would be sweetness, if she only got a chance to taste it.
“Desiree.” The deep ripple of his voice vibrated down to her pedicured toes.
She casually glanced up and tumbled into the depths of his onyx eyes. “How are you, Spence?” The lighting played with the deep, dark waves of his closely cut hair.
“I can’t complain. And to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit tonight?”
Desiree felt all fluttery inside. “You have Dominique to thank. She convinced me to come out tonight. And when she said Harry would be here …” She lifted one shoulder and smiled. Her deep dimples flashed.
“Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here.”
She refused to read more into what he said. “I’m looking forward to the show.”
Spence took a step back. He was thankful that his face was hidden in the shadows that played around the room. It was silly of him to think that Desiree might have wanted to see him. In all the years that he’d known the sisters, Desiree had not once given him reason to think that they were anything more than acquaintances.
“Well, you ladies enjoy your evening. Whatever you need is yours.”
“Thanks, sweetie,” Dominique said. “If I don’t see you later tonight, I’ll give you a call during the week.”
He nodded and walked off.
Dominique turned to her sister. “Are you okay? You seem distracted.”
Desiree blinked and brought the room and her attention back into focus. “Yeah, just taking it all in.”
“Spence has done an incredible job with this place, hasn’t he?” She reached for her drink.
“Wonderful,” Desiree said absently and wondered if she would see Spence again before the night was over. But what was the point, anyway? He had no interest in her, and for her to continue to daydream about the two of them together was a waste of valuable brain cells. Spence Hampton was off-limits and that was the end of it. She only wished that her heart was as reasonable as her head.
Spence continued to keep his focus on the menu and ensuring that his guests were all taken care of. Although that part of running Bottoms Up was Michelle’s job, he always wanted to keep his hand in. He didn’t want to be one of those owners that had no idea of what went on in their establishment.
Once Harry took the stage and the majority of the dinner guests had been served, he took a moment to relax. The tough part of the evening was over. He made his rounds of the tables and checked on his guests, seeing many familiar faces and plenty of new ones.
When he opened Bottoms Up, he had no idea that it would take off the way that it did, but his business was one of the premier locations in Baton Rogue and all the surrounding areas. He had much to be proud of.
The enthusiastic crowd kept Harry and his band onstage long after his set was supposed to be finished. But being the consummate entertainer, he had no intention of disappointing his fans, who clamored for “more, more.”
By 2:00 a.m., the crowd was down to a few die-hard stragglers who were finishing up drinks or collecting numbers for potential rendezvous.
Spence took a look around, hoping to get a last glimpse of Desiree. Their table was empty.
“Thanks for coming, sis.” Dominique yawned as she unlocked the door to their home.
“I’m glad I did. I had a great time.” She pulled off her shoes and walked barefoot up the stairs.
“It’s so different without Lee Ann around. Just a few months ago she would have been sitting in the living room, pretending to be reading but really waiting up for one of us to come home.”
Desiree laughed. Their older sister, Lee Ann, was definitely the nurturing one of the family. She’d taken over the care of the family and the running of the household after their mother passed. But now that she was married to Preston, she finally had a life of her own. She was sorely missed.
“I’m actually tired,” Dominique said, opening the door to her bedroom. “I must be getting old.”
“You! I doubt that.”
Dominique turned beneath the threshold of her door. She wagged a finger at her sister. “We still have a deal, right?”
Desiree drew in a breath and sighed. “Yes, we still have a deal.”
“Great. Tomorrow is going to be the first day of your brand-new life. Just leave it to me.”
“Night.”
Dominique blew a kiss and closed her door.
Desiree continued down the hallway to her bedroom. Slowly getting undressed, she thought about her evening and how she had felt when she saw Spence. She’d made