Chapter 2

The message went through, the deposit was refunded, and there was nothing back from her at all.

I steadied myself and talked myself out of stewing over something this petty.

I was just about to put my phone down and get on with other things when it started buzzing like mad.

Frowning, I saw that Lucretia was running her mouth in the customer group chat.

Something jolted through me, and I tapped straight in.

"Steer clear of this place! She gouges her regulars. Same dishes, double the price!"

"I've eaten there for five years, and she's been ripping me off for five years! Wise up, everyone!"

My vision went black and my heart slammed against my ribs.

She'd stitched my quote together with the one from that new place she'd found.

Set side by side, the price gap looked damning.

I'd figured we were all adults. If a deal fell through, we could part on decent terms.

But she'd actually smeared me in a group of five hundred people, and I'd had enough.

"Lucretia, that's not how it works. With seafood you get what you pay for, and everyone can see the quality at my place."

She fired back at once.

"Ha, so you're saying the other place has bad quality? Just answer the question, did you gouge your regulars or not?"

I was shaking with anger.

In this line of work, you get customers who know their stuff, and you get ones like her who only half understand.

The second she said it, people started chiming in.

"Yeah, prices go up every holiday. Boss, gouging your loyal customers like this really isn't right."

Lucretia jumped right back in: "Crooked business! Hope you go under soon!"

Plenty of people started to doubt me, saying all sorts of things.

Something inside me went cold.

I couldn't take it anymore and called Lucretia to demand what she was actually after.

She let out a snort. "You ripped me off for so much money. Here's the deal. Refund all the money you gouged out of me over the years, and I'll leave you alone."

"If you won't, I'll make sure even more people know your place is a scam."

I gripped the phone.

There was no point saying more to someone like her. Stand straight and you don't fear a crooked shadow.

"Do whatever you want."

And I hung up.

My heart was pounding hard, and thinking about all the customers who'd just piled on with her in that group, I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt.

Right then, my phone buzzed.

It was another regular, Bill Donaldson.

I drew a breath and picked up.

Bill's cheerful voice came through right away.

"Boss James, that woman in the group canceled her private room. Is it still open?"

I paused.

Most of my private rooms are booked ahead. Since I'd refunded her deposit, it had naturally opened back up.

I told him so.

Bill didn't hesitate: "I'll take it! I've been going out of my mind trying to find a good place to host a dinner!"

My throat went a little tight.

"Bill, didn't you see what people were saying in the group?"

To my surprise, he just snorted and laughed.

"The ones piling on don't know good food from bad. I've eaten at your place for years, you think I don't know your quality? She got a bargain out of that quote of yours. Charge me whatever's fair!"

When I hung up, warmth spread through my chest.

When you run a business open to the public, finding a customer who truly gets you is rare.

I gave Bill the same price I'd given Lucretia.

Without a word, Bill sent me an extra five hundred.

I tipped my head back, wiped away my tears, and swore I'd make that table of food perfect for him.