Joe placed his hands behind his head, sent Cam an uncertain look and lifted his shoulders in a small shrug. “I don’t know if I can ever open again, Vivianne.”
Jesus! What?
“Why?” Vivi demanded, the word almost sticking in her throat.
“I’m underinsured. Grossly underinsured,” Joe admitted, pain and remorse coating every word. “I have some savings but I don’t think I have enough to cover the cost of another renovation.”
Vivi lifted her fist to her mouth. “God, Joe, no.”
Joe took her hand. “I know how much you need a job, Viv. But I’ve been making some calls and I already have positions lined up for you, at some of the best restaurants in the city.” He managed a small smile. “Some are even at better wages than what I offer you.”
“But I don’t want to work somewhere else. I want to work with you,” Vivi said, disconsolate.
“I was going to pass this on to you, hand over the reins in a year or two, give you some shares.” He kicked a plastic bottle floating at his feet. “Now I can give you nothing. I am so sorry.”
Vivi saw the disgust on his face, the shame, and hopped off the counter to take his hands in hers. She waited for Joe to look at her. “Joe, you have already given me so much. You gave me a job when I was down to my last two dollars, without money to feed my baby or to buy diapers. You arranged for Charlie to look after Clem while I worked, and you looked after her when she couldn’t. You taught me to cook, you gave me a way to support myself and my child. You gave me everything!” Vivi squeezed his hands. “Don’t you dare apologize, not to me, not ever.” She shook her head, determination coursing over her. “And I refuse to work for anyone else. We are going to resurrect this place.”
Joe shook his head. “There’s not enough money, Vivianne.”
There was always a plan to be made, money to be found. Vivi had learned that years ago. When she was at her lowest, when she thought that she’d have to reach out to her mom for money to feed Clem, things had worked out right. The universe had yet to let her down and it wouldn’t this time, either. She would find a way to reopen The Rollin’ Smoke. It might not be as big, or employ as many people, but she’d reopen it, dammit. She just had to get creative and find a way.
“I’ll do it, Joe. We’ll do it,” Vivi told him, her throat closing when she saw the relief in the older man’s eyes. He wasn’t alone and neither was she; they’d do it together.
They were a team, dammit.
* * *
Cam had wanted Vivi from the moment he saw her walking into that dingy bar in Tarrin, all long limbs and curly hair and wide, deep brown eyes. The sex between them had been explosive, and if he’d stuck around he would’ve been tempted to see her again.
Three years ago he’d sensed that she was still part girl, slightly naive and innocent, but she’d told him that she was up for a one-nighter and he’d taken her at her word. But that girl was a pale version of the woman Vivi had become. As a mother, friend, employee, she was dedicated and loyal and determined. And he wanted her with an intensity that threatened to knock him off his feet.
She was flippin’ amazing.
But as much as he admired her, he was also a realist.
After putting Clem into her car seat and buckling her in, Cam climbed into the driver’s seat and turned to look at Vivi as he started his car. “That was a hell of a promise you made Joe,” he said, keeping his voice mild. He knew how much it cost to set up a restaurant, having invested in one over a year ago, and he doubted Vivi had any idea of the reality of the promise she’d made.
Vivi met his gaze and lifted finely arched eyebrows. “You don’t think I can do it?”
Careful, McNeal, you are wandering into a minefield. “I’m coming to believe that you can do anything you set your mind to.”
“But?”
“Putting Joe’s place back on its feet will be a mammoth undertaking. It’ll require guts and drive and determination.” And money. So much money.
“You don’t think I have those traits?” Vivi asked, her voice so devoid of emotion that he suspected he’d just detonated a mine. And that the explosion could only be heard in her head.