Chops Lobster Bar

 

I was late. A Toyota Corolla swerved and jumped in front of me, and I leaned into the steering wheel and slammed on my breaks.

“Shit.”

The offending car shot off down the street, paying no mind to my Infiniti on the side of the road. Other cars went around the rear of my car that stuck out in traffic. I was across the street from Chops Lobster Bar, and I was sure my father thought I was a no-show. With some effort, I eased back into traffic and crossed the crowded intersection into the parking lot of the restaurant. Swiftly, I left the vehicle and strolled inside. I was approached immediately.

“Welcome to Chops, Mr. Rose. I have your party of three this way if you’ll follow me.”

The server guided me across the restaurant and besides the curious stares and people taking out their phones to snap pictures, I saw three sets of eyes settle on me. I approached the table with my hand held out, and all three stood to their feet.

“Please forgive my tardiness,” I said, shaking my father’s hand. He pulled me in for a hug.

“I’m glad to see that you’re okay, son.” He gave me a hard slap on the back. “This here is Charles Murdock, owner and CEO of Summer Rain Industries.”

I shook Mr. Murdock’s hand as recognition of his company played like a slideshow in my mind.

“Excuse me for my tardiness,” I said.

“Things happen sometimes. How are you, son?”

“I’ve been better.”

“Your father tells us you had a summer cold. Those are always nasty,” Mr. Murdock quipped.

“Tell me about it. It seems to be clearing up now.”

Mr. Murdock turned to the woman at his side. “This here is my daughter, Tina Murdock.”

“How do you do?” Tina said, offering her hand in a shake. I accepted her greeting.

“Better,” I said. “How about yourself, Ms. Murdock?”

“I’m well.”

“Tina will be owner and CEO of Summer Rain within the next year or so,” Mr. Murdock said. “She’s here today so we can all get to know one another. I hope you don’t mind.”

I took a moment to glance from my father to Mr. Murdock and wondered if I were being set up. Tina’s demeanor along with her ponytail, black-rimmed prescription glasses, and super lean figure had me picturing a twenty-year-old girl who wanted more so to be a trophy wife than be at the head of the business table. But I’d give her the benefit of the doubt.

“Please, son, have a seat,” my father said.

I found my place next to him and directly in front of Tina. She smiled coyly, and again I glanced from my father to Mr. Murdock. The server approached the table with appetizers.

“The jumbo crab cake with mustard butter and your burgundy escargots,” the server announced, placing the food on the table.

“I hope you don’t mind I took the liberty of ordering water and an appetizer to appease you until my son arrived,” Christopher said.

 “Are you all ready to order?” the server asked after placing a glass of water with lemon in front of each one of us. Tina looked to me.

“Ladies first,” I said.

Tina blushed. “Thank you.” She turned to the server. “I do have a bit of a seafood craving. I’ve had a taste for lobster for a long time.”

“I know what you mean,” Mr. Murdock said. “One of us has to get lobster before leaving this restaurant. It would be wrong to visit this place without tasting their fresh seafood.”

Tina glanced over the menu. “I’m already on it. I’ll have your steak and signature lobster tail please.”

I checked my watch then my cell.

“Do you have another appointment?” my father asked, noting my clock watching.

Mr. Murdock began ordering his food as I responded, “I have someone I want you to meet. She should be here any moment.” This brought Mr. Murdock’s and Tina’s full attention to me. I turned to the server. “Excuse me, there will be a fifth guest. Can you make room for her please?”

“Sure thing. Would you like to order?”

“This water is fine. I’ll wait until she arrives.”

“We should all wait then,” my father announced.

“No, it’s all right, you’ve waited long enough. I’d like for us to get started.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Pop, order your food.”

He did, giving me a glance before continuing.

The server left, and my father got right down to business.

“So, Charles, if you don’t mind,” my father said, “I’ll start by saying thank you for meeting my son and I today and introducing us to your lovely daughter. We both have a genuine interest to see our companies prosper, and at this time in Gemz’s growth, I want to make sure it holds the family ethics that I have spent the last few years devoted to molding and shaping to its current state.

“I have offered my son Josiah the option of taking complete ownership of Gemz, which is why I wanted you two to meet and get to know each other. If all goes well, you two could be partnering, and I will be on permanent vacation.”

“I wasn’t aware that you were looking to partner with another company,” I said, making sure he knew I wasn’t familiar with this type of charade he was playing.

“I figured if you didn’t take over the company, I would still need a CEO with some common ground to run Gemz, but if you signed the contract it would be ultimately up to you. However, having a partner with shared interest when it comes to business, growth, finances, employers, clients, and other things that could go wrong would be supreme for you, don’t you think?”

“Why would I need a partner when I have you?”

“Son, I want you to realize that I won’t be around most of the time. Taking over this company is a serious deal; some things will happen at the drop of a dime, and I could be on an island in Costa Rica somewhere. What will you do?”

“Costa Rica? Pop, are you taking a vacation you haven’t told me about?”

My father snickered. “Maybe.”

“So many secrets these days,” I said.

My father held up his hand. “No secrets. I’m laying everything on the table now. And the company needs order, stability,” he said, which was sounding oddly familiar to what Santana had said earlier.

“He’s got a point there,” Tina said.

“Does he?” I returned.

“Yes, and in the event that Mr. Rose isn’t around to assist you, my father should be. He is the best at what he does with Summer Rain. A real honest man with integrity and muscle. That’s who you need on your team.”

I glanced from the proud smile on Mr. Murdock’s face to the seriousness of Tina’s.

“And what about you?” I said. “Your father says you’ll be taking over Summer Rain. That means I’ll have to get assistance from you.”

Tina kept her focus on me. “I’m quite equipped to handle whatever comes my way, Mr. Rose.”

She held a twinkle in her eye that I recognized as a flirtatious indicator.

“Well said, baby girl,” Mr. Murdock said.

“I get the feeling you have a feisty daughter on your hands, Mr. Murdock,” I said. “I’m sure she could get anything she wants from you.”

“Most of the time.”

We all chuckled.

“Mr. Murdock, I’d like to personally thank you for taking the time out to visit with my father and me today.” I looked to Tina. “You as well, Ms. Murdock. However, we won’t be taking on partners anytime soon.”

My father looked at me with wide eyes. “When did we come to this conclusion?”

“When I signed the contract,” I said, giving him my full attention.

A smile crept across his lips. “You signed the agreement?” He spoke in shocked disbelief.

“I did.” I took a sip of my water.

“And you read all it entailed?”

“I’m not a degenerate, Father. Ms. Lean and I went over it in full detail.”

“We should still consider Mr. and Ms. Murdock as partners. You never know.” He shrugged. “And where is this girl you were telling me about?”

I almost laughed out loud. He just couldn’t help himself. He was interested in seeing if I would go through with his preposterous request.

“Speaking of, here she is now,” I said, standing.

Santana walked through the restaurant effortlessly. Her hair had been let down, and it bounced in layers around her face as she strutted our way. Our gazes connected and without missing a step, I guided her to me. As she neared, I got a clear look at her dress. She’d changed into a light blouse and a skirt that hugged her thighs enough to reveal a shapely figure but loose enough to not cause damage to my libido. It stopped at her knees. Pantyhose graced her legs, and the heels she wore brought her at least three inches closer to my height.

An aphrodisiac surrounded me when she floated to my side, and Santana leaned in and kissed my lips softly. “Hello again.” Her sultry voice sent a flare to my groin.

“You look beautiful as always,” I said.

My father cleared his throat.

“Pops, this is Santana Summers,” I said, “my girlfriend.”

Wide eyes met mine, and everyone glanced to Santana. She held a perfect smile as she came to my father’s side.

“Mr. Rose, it’s so nice to see you again.” She blew air kisses on both sides of his cheeks. Then looked to everyone else. “Hello,” her voice sang.

Mr. Murdock held out his hand, which Santana accepted. He leaned in and placed a kiss on the back and the hint of jealousy I felt surprised me.

“Good evening, Ms. Summers. I’m Charles Murdock, owner and CEO of Summer Rain Industries. This is my daughter Tina Murdock future owner and CEO of Summer Rain Industries.”

Santana reached for Tina’s hand, but Tina nodded a hello instead.

“I hope I’m not too late.” Santana took note of the appetizers just as the server walked up with everyone’s order.

“Oh sweetheart, we’re going to eat in private. Our meeting is just about over, and I felt it was time for you to meet my father.”

 “And what a surprise this is,” my father said, staring at Santana. “Please have a seat.”

I held my hand out to take hers and led her back over to me. After helping her in a chair, I reclaimed my seat.

“This is the first time I’m hearing about anyone Josiah is remotely interested in.”

“Pop,” I said.

“It’s the truth.”

“And here you thought your boy might not be ready to settle down,” Mr. Murdock threw in.

I turned to my father but spoke to Mr. Murdock: “What else did he tell you?”

“That you were single,” Tina inserted, her vision casting a sharp glance from Santana to me.

I pulled Santana’s hand in mine. “Well, maybe my father shouldn’t speak so quickly next time.” I turned my attention to him. “Isn’t that right, Pop?”

My father nodded. “You might be right, son. You might be right.”

I glanced back to Santana. She squeezed my fingers and winked with a buoyant smile covering her face. I couldn’t help but notice Santana’s performance was neatly packaged. Almost as if she was leading from a place of understanding. I tried to dismiss the idea, but it curled up inside me like a close acquaintance and didn’t want to let go.