Chapter Two
It's been a week since the incident in the kitchen with Haley and Lucas Scott whom Brooke had decided to deem as Mr. Scott, her small way of making sure that things stayed impersonal. She looked at the contract that Mr. Scott sent over by messenger a few days ago and sighed, gnawing on her lip pondering the pros and con's of such a deal. If she signed on then that would mean she would have to answer to someone else which is what she always hated during her career as a chef, having to cook what the person over her always deigned for her and her staff to cook—no matter how bland. But if she didn't sign on then she would lose everything. Especially with the bank tacking on interest every time she turned around, constantly digging her deeper into their debt.
She had no choice.
"Knock knock…" Haley said, peeking in before stepping into her office.
Brooke was genuinely surprised to see her. Other than cooking on the line together Brooke hadn't seen nor spoken to Haley. In fact after the whole debacle with Mr. Scott she had made herself scarce. Even though it took two days to simmer down Brooke finally came to a point where she understood where Haley was coming from and had come to appreciate it, especially with the interest rates the Bradford's pulled on her.
"You still wanna stab my eyes out?" Haley joked as a feeler, to see where Brooke was emotionally.
"I never wanted to stab both eyes. Just one would've done the trick." Brooke joked back, cracking a smile. She had done so much frowning lately it almost felt unnatural.
Haley sat in her customary seat and sighed, her fingers pressed against her lips. "Okay I'm just gonna come out and say it…"
"I'm sorry!" they both said at the same time.
"Wait why are you sorry?" Haley asked immediately afterwards.
"As much as I hate this whole situation…you were right that I need financial help. I tried so hard to be positive about things and not to let myself drown in hopelessness but after the information I received yesterday—" Tears began welling in her eyes at the despondency she felt yesterday. "I honestly really don't believe I'll ever meet these stupid people's goal and losing Reverie… that makes my heart ache. So I decided that I will swallow my pride and sign this contract Mr. Scott so thoughtfully sent over."
"How does those words taste coming out of your mouth?" Haley asked with concern, knowing that her coming to that decision hadn't been an easy one for her.
"Like dirty dish water." She admitted with a chuckle. "And for the record I wasn't really that angry at you." At Haley's snort she chuckled and explained, "You know how I don't like surprises and that most definitely was a surprise."
"I know…"
Brooke leaned back in her chair and looked at her with a saddened expression, "Honestly I just wish you would have told me about it first before making the decision to involve anyone. That way I wouldn't have felt ambushed and it would have given me time to think about everything instead of just reacting."
Haley sighed deeply, finally able to express the guilt of the past week. "I'm sorry… I only wanted to help and when the bank told us to basically screw off I panicked and Lucas was the first person I thought of that could get us out of this. However I did not expect him to treat you the way he had."
"Well looking back on it I was the one who was rude first." Brooke admitted with a careless shrug but then sighed, "Ceding control of Reverie to someone I've never met nor have any type of knowledge of is frightening."
"One thing I can tell you about Lucas is that he is very good at what he does which is why Business Weekly named him one of the top Hotel Tycoons in the country right now."
Brooke gave her a look and asked, "But does he know anything about the restaurant business? Its like apples and oranges! Just because he's good in hotels does not mean he knows squat about running a restaurant!"
Haley ever the optimist replied, "I think he may surprise you—"
"And what if his vision isn't in line with mine? I have so many questions! How do you even know him anyway?" she asked, not really meaning to interrupt her, while opening a bag of her own home made dried fruit.
Haley smiled fondly, "Lucas and I go way back. Like elementary. My parents and I used to stay in The Towers which was for the super rich. The Scott's were across from us. We'd have dinner together all the time, play together. He's like a big brother I never got a chance to have." She said as she and Brooke moved to their conversation towards the kitchen area, "Well when Daddy lost his top exec position we ended up moving to a less wealthy neighborhood. But Lucas and I always kept in contact which is honestly why he wants to do this. Otherwise he wouldn't have given this place another glance. But he genuinely loves what we created here."
Brooke eyebrows furrowed in confusion as they began prepping for the lunch menu, "If that's true why did he threaten to change everything?"
Haley waved the question off saying, "He was just pulling your leg! And he told me after I thoroughly yelled at him for it that it was a scare tactic. It works in business all the time."
"I hope you're right about that Hales, we have a lot riding on this." Brooke said as she chopped up vegetables to go in the dish she was making.
"I am. You'll see. I mean he may be mad, but there's a method in his madness. There nearly always is method in madness. It's what drives men mad, being methodical." Haley babbled while mixing up the béchamel sauce for the oxtail Mac and cheese.
Exhaling for courage she wasn't sure she had, Brooke went back into her office and gathered the unsigned contract and put it in her bag. "You are right about that. I am about to see." She told her as she strolled by her. "Skills take over for me. I want you to make Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Lasagna…"
"Aight boss lady." Skills said with a wink and a smile.
"Thank you Skills!" Brooke said before blowing him a kiss which he pretends to catch.
"Hold on a minute! Where are you going?!" Haley asked in a panicked tone as she watched Brooke walk to the door. "We still have lunch rush to contend with!"
Brooke winked and smiled, "I'll be back before you know it. Besides you always have Chris to help you with all your needs."
"That is so not funny Brooke!" Haley shouted to her retreating back.
Cackling Brooke walked out of the rear exit and walked a short distance from the restaurant and climbed into her 2006 silver Honda Accord. She looked up his info on Google maps and followed the path they mapped out, which took her on the scenic route towards the business district. All throughout the drive Brooke had prayed that what she said to Mr. Scott would make him think twice about crossing her, that she would be as fearless, confident and in her element as she was in her kitchen.
-x-
"Are we set for the opening in Denver?" Lucas asked Millie absently, looking at possible locations for their newest hotel which would be the first to feature Reverie.
"Yes I just got confirmation from the lead architect that the building is good to go ahead with the grand opening." Millie said while wincing in pain.
Lucas was surprised that she had even come to work having been in a car accident on Friday which had been her day off. But she had assured him that she was okay to work. Seeing that she was having twinges of pain he now regretted listening to her. "Are you sure you're okay to work?" he asked with concern as he watched her limp to her desk.
"Yeah I'm fine Mr. Scott…just a little sore is all." She hissed as she slowly sat down.
Lucas shook his head, "Maybe you should take some time off…give yourself time to heal up and then come back to work. Does two weeks sound like a plan to you?"
Millie looked at him, her eyebrow lifting in question as she asked, "Are you going to pay me while I have LOA?"
He chuckled then said, "Yes you will have pay during your leave of absence."
Millie smiled gratefully, "Thank you Mr. Scott…two weeks sounds wonderful!" She said as she hugged him, hissing in pain but needing to show him that he was indeed appreciative of his kindness.
"You're welcome…" he said as he hugged her back awkwardly, not wanting to hurt her. "Go home and rest. Please. I need you at the top of your game when you get back."
"Oh I will be but who'll take over for me?"
"You don't have to worry about that. What you need to worry about is what kind of hobby you're going to have on your time off."
Millie laughed then answered with a joke, "Probably gardening…"
Lucas narrowed his eyes then asked with concern, "Gardening?…Isn't that a bit strenuous?"
Millie giggled, truly amused by the look on his face, "I was just kidding! That'll put me back in the hospital. No thank you. I'll probably be more active in my book club."
"Good, good. In the meantime I'll be lost without you." He said as he walked with her to the elevator.
"I doubt that. See you in two weeks Mr. Scott." She said just before the doors closed.
Lucas made his way to his corner office and closed the door behind him, strolling to his refurbished Oakwood desk to finish planning the next step. He sat down in his comfortable very high quality genuine leather office chair. Millie had found it for him last year for Christmas after his last chair had gotten worn thin, he had it since college. He still loved it. It could recline from upright to a full sleep position, or lock at any angle in between with a simple turn of the tension knob.
Exhaling he began looking at the figures it would cost for the merging of Reverie to Luxuriont and calculated how long it would take to add on to the other hotels when suddenly his door burst open and the small, slender yet very curvy and determined chef came charging into his office, wearing a tight black t-shirt that had her restaurants logo on it which set off her ivory skin tone and jeans, her dark brown hair braided down in a French braid style, her glistening hazel eyes hardened with unspoken challenge.
"Chef Brooke…what brings you to my office?" he asked with friendly intent as he straightened out the papers on his desk.
Slinging her purse into the guest chair she stated, "I'm here to make a deal."
"Okay…" he said slowly, wondering where she was going with this.
"I haven't signed them yet because I had my own stipulations added." She had informed him as she squared her shoulders and folded her arms defensively, as if daring him to challenge it.
Why was she so set on making things so difficult? He thought to himself as his jaw clinched slightly. "And they are?"
"I remain creatively in charge, no over stepping your boundaries—at all. You're our investor and nothing more. Ideas or anything of that nature you should keep to yourself. Are we clear Mr. Scott?" she stated with a clear voice, digging into her purse then slamming the ten page contract onto his desk.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, observing her and smirked cockily, "That's cute. You making demands as if you have a choice in the matter."
"Excuse me? This is not up for negotiation." She said as she slightly shook her head, "And don't think that I forgot the way you spoke to me the other day."
Lucas felt a smile crawl across his face as he stated, "If you think that's something—that was nothing. That was child's play compared to what I can do. So watch your step with me Ms. Davis."
A dark perfectly arched brow rose in challenge as she asked, "Do we have a deal or not Mr. Scott?"
Their eyes clashed as he gritted, "Sign your name on that dotted line and we will."
"Why do I have the feeling I'm about to sign a contract with the devil?" she grumbled as she sat down in front of his desk, taking the proffered pen from his hand.
"The devil will only show if you cross me." Lucas warned as he watched her sign her delicate signature.
Brooke signed each line that had an X near it, indicating where to sign. She then sent him a haughty look and smiled tightly, "Okay…done. As of now we're in business together. Just don't trample on my turf."
His brow furrowed at her statement. "Turf? What next? We're going to rumble?" he asked in amusement.
Brooke obviously didn't share his amusement. She stood to her feet and gathered her purse and gave him a stern look, "I mean it. Don't."
"And if I do?"
Brooke gave him a look that was filled with a catty expression and answered plainly, "Try it and see."
As she turned to leave Lucas couldn't help but admire her take no bullshit attitude towards him. It was unexpected yet refreshing to him, having been used to women flaunting themselves at him, instantly falling for his charm. Or the massive amount of wealth he accumulated from the time he'd been in boarding school. He spent his summers working for his father Keith Scott, as his assistants assistant. His father had claimed that it was an opportunity for him to see how the business was run.
Lucas had saved every penny since then, only splurging on things that were practical and useful. Except that one time where he had bought something that he'd truly wanted ever since he had visited the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a field trip. He still had that telescope and often used it to stargaze with his twin sons when he had spare time.
But the Scott name had always spelled wealth and prestige, having been labeled blue bloods by every magazine that decided to cover them simply because the Scott's have been around since the birth of this country.
Which is why women had always tried to bag him since college.
But Brooke seemed to hate the very sight of him which is very intriguing to him for some reason. He smirked, knowing that she thought she had won this battle. But he planned on popping that bubble very soon. "You may have won this battle Ms. Davis but I will win the war."
-x-
Brooke came back feeling accomplished and in a celebratory mood, which had been such a rarity these past two weeks. Haley watched Brooke stroll past her and followed her into her office without hesitation. "So how did it go?"
Brooke set down her bag and answered her, "Fantastic. I laid down the ground rules and he agreed to them."
"Just like that?"
Brooke smiled smugly and replied, "Just like that."
Haley's brows lifted in surprise, "I'm really shocked that he didn't fight you on it."
"I'm not. He seems like an intelligent guy after all." She said with a cocky smile as she washed up, sanitizing and drying her hands before putting on her gloves.
"Yeah he would have to be, to be considered a tycoon and run a multi-million dollar Hotel chain." Haley chuckled as she chopped up the sweet onions.
Brooke chuckled, "All the while he has a stick up his ass…"
"Lucas doesn't have a stick up his ass!" Haley exclaimed while fighting a laugh.
Brooke rolled her eyes, "Please! He's such a stiff."
"That's just because you don't know him…" she said, wanting to defend her childhood friend.
"And I don't want to. He's not worth getting to know."
Haley sighed, "He's not like you think Brooke. Sometimes you have to have an open mind…"
"You're not going to turn my own saying against me Hales." She said with a smile. "Okay what's the next order?"
"Seafood pot pie, Sirloin steak dinner, sides fully loaded potato and Brussel sprouts… table 23!" Chris yelled before picking up another order.
She then began the next dish, which required a thirty minute prep time. "Okay ingredients… 1/4 pound unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (1 large),1 cup chopped fennel, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 3 cups fish stock or clam juice, 1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, 1/2 pound sea scallops, sliced in half horizontally, 1 tablespoon Pernod, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, 3 tablespoons heavy cream, 3/4 pound cooked fresh lobster meat, 1 1/2 cups peas (not "baby" peas), 1 1/2 cups frozen small whole onions, and 1/2 cup minced flat-leaf parsley…" she muttered to herself, totally lost in doing what she loved.
She melted the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Added the chopped onion and fennel and cook for ten to fifteen minutes, until the onions were translucent. She the added the flour and cook over low heat for one more minute, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, she brought the stock to a simmer in a large saucepan, adding the shrimp and scallops and allowed it to cook for two minutes, just until firm. Remove the seafood to a large bowl with a slotted spoon, reserving the stock.
When the flour was cooked in the onion and fennel mixture, Brooke slowly added the stock, the Pernod, salt, and pepper and simmer for three minutes, stirring in the heavy cream.
After taking care of the sauce she then cut the lobster meat into medium-size cubes and add it to the onion and fennel mixture with the shrimp and scallops. Added the semi cooked peas, onions, and parsley and pour the mixture into a 9 by 13 by 2 baking dish.
For the pastry, she mixed the flour, salt, and baking powder in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the butter and pulse 10 times, until the butter was the size of peas. With the motor running, Brooke added the ice water; processing only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. She the dumped the dough on the floured surface and knead quickly into a ball. She wrapped the dough in plastic and allow it to rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Meanwhile, she preheated the oven to 375 degrees.
Brooke then rolled the dough out to fit the baking dish with about 1/4-inch overlap. Using the egg wash to paint the outside rim of the dish, she placed the dough on the filled baking dish and press it lightly to adhere to egg wash. She brushed the dough with the egg wash and made 3 slashes in the top to allow the steam to escape. She placed the dish on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.
"That smells amazing Brooke!" Haley said, unwrapping the potatoes and cut lengthwise slits in the top of each. Carefully scooping out flesh from center of each potato into a medium bowl, then added butter, sour cream, chives, green onion whites, half the cheddar, and half the bacon and seasoned with salt and pepper.
She then spooned the filling back into each potato, mounding it on top. Sprinkling the remaining cheese and returned to the oven until melted, about 5 minutes. Then topped with scallion greens and remaining bacon.
"Thanks Hales…not doing half bad over there yourself." Brooke said as she whisked together balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, dijon mustard, honey, garlic, pepper and rosemary in the mixing bowl until well blended.
She then poured the marinade over the steaks to marinate: placing the steaks in a gallon size resealable bag, sealing the bag while pressing out excess air. Then let them marinate.
Brooke began searing the marinated sirloin and plated once medium rare. "Alright order up!"
After eight hours of high demand cooking it was finally time to close. Brooke said goodbye to her crew as they clocked out, including Haley until she was alone in her kitchen. She grinned, looking around the stainless steel kitchen, the professional appliances that she and Haley had lovingly picked out, relieved that she didn't have to say goodbye to this place.
"You look like you're ready for another shift." A deep voice drawled, startling her. Brooke turned to find Lucas standing in her kitchen and narrowed her eyes at him. "Which is surprising because you just pulled a fourteen hour shift right?"
"What are you doing here?" she asked, crossing her arms just under her breasts.
Lucas shrugged, "Well you crashed my domain so to speak so I thought I would return the favor…you looked amazing. Ordering your workers and everything—"
Brooke rolled her eyes, "Is there a point to this?"
"Yes…I wanted to inform you personally that I have decided that Reverie will be franchising…"
"You're stepping on my toes Mr. Scott! Reverie is not meant to be a franchise!"
Lucas pulled out a chair and sat down, getting comfortable just as she had done in his office. "That steak is worth franchising alone. Compliments to the chef."
"When did you decide this?" She asked slowly, while fuming inside.
Lucas smirked, "Believe it or not I was inspired by your passion that you displayed in my office." He then smiled genuinely, "And I got confirmation when I ordered dinner here…Brooke your restaurant is unique, your food is sensational…it is literally like a dream! Why not have Reverie around the world both a part of my hotel chain and separately?"
"Because I never wanted that! It's too big to even think of!" she argued, raking her hand through her hair in disbelief. "I got into the restaurant business because I love to cook and I wanted to share my food with the neighborhood. I never saw myself with a franchise!"
"Why not? You're talented enough—"
"Its not about talent—"
"You'll rake in bundles of cash—" he continued, looking her in her eyes where he sat.
Her eyebrows furrowed, "Its not about the money—"
"You have the biggest amount of balls I've ever witnessed—aside from my own…Brooke I would rather do this with you than do it without you. Because either way it goes I own Reverie."
"So that's why you came? To show me who's the boss in the grand scheme of things, right?"
Lucas stood to his feet and walked to her until he towered over her 5'4 frame. Brooke met his stare head on to which he chuckled, "Brooke…it may have started as that but now…all I want is for us to be civil during this process and your cooperation with the changes that comes with this marriage—"
Her eyes never strayed from his incredibly blue grey eyes. If he wasn't such a prick she would be tempted to think that he was attractive. "Marriage? Strange term for this situation—bulldozing should be the expression!"
"It is a marriage. My empire which is my brainchild is now married to your restaurant which is your brainchild. And as in laws we should get along. Don't you think?"
"Lucas…you are taking advantage of my desperation and that makes you an asshole. So excuse me for not doing celebratory flips just because you want things to be civil!"
"I just want things to go as smoothly as possible. That's all."
"I told you how to do that. And you stepped on my turf and now we have to rumble."
Lucas chuckled, unable to stop staring at her. "You threw down the gauntlet first!"
Brooke rolled her eyes again then shouted, "Yes! To make clear to you my terms! And you violated them on the first night!"
"So I did…now what?" he asked, outright challenging her.
Brooke narrowed her eyes, "Now you will have to see. Now if you don't mind I'm trying to lock up for the night."
"Very well…I'll see you early tomorrow morning so I can show you the plans for your new restaurant. Goodnight Chef Davis…"
Twenty minutes later Brooke was still speechless, furious that he was coming back to bother her. But when she regained her speech she yelled at the ceiling, cursing Dan for bringing Lucas Scott into her life.
-x-
After his visit with Brooke, Lucas watched her close up, shutting off all the lights then got into his jet black Lincoln Town car and headed home. As he was driving, his thoughts were racing and all of them were centered on Brooke Davis. He had never been so charged in someone else's presence, nor had he argued with someone just for the hell of it but he enjoyed it. Her amazing hazel eyes sparkling with challenge, her lips in an angry firm line, her cheeks flushed with vexation.
Within ten minutes Lucas walked into his penthouse apartment, exhaling with a relieved sigh as he tugged loose the tie around his neck.
Being at the last floor of the building the penthouse apartment provides a tranquil haven above the busy city life, with a spacious terrace that offers magnificent views of the skyline. The large glass sliding doors at the façade and the use of the same floor materials create a smooth transition as well as a visual and spatial continuity between the indoor and the outdoor.
"Daddy!!!" he heard just before he felt a little body slamming into his legs.
"Hey buddy!!!" Lucas said as he hugged his son. "How was you day?"
"Dad Logan kept eating my snacks!" Jamie said as he walked into the room.
"No I didn't!" Logan said before sticking his tongue out at Jamie and continued hugging their father's legs.
"Where's Sam?" Lucas asked as he picked both four year olds up easily.
"I'm in here!" Samantha Walker said as she rushed into the foyer, out of breath and disheveled.
"What happened to you?" he laughed, taking in her messy appearance.
Sam rolled her eyes then answered, "Jamie kept losing Chester and I've been looking for him everywhere for hours!"
Lucas was aware of the games his twins liked to play. He kneeled before Logan and Jamie and asked sternly, "Where's Chester?"
Logan looked at Jamie and Jamie looked at Logan then both looked down at their feet. "Chester is under the bed…" Logan said in complete innocence.
"How do you know he's there?" Lucas asked, his eyebrow hiked purposely, knowing that makes them confess faster.
"I put him there…" Logan said shamefully.
"Logan go get him. Now." Lucas demanded. He then watched as Logan hurried off to find Chester and looked at Sam, "I'm so sorry about that Sam, it's a game these two play from time to time."
Samantha was their new babysitter until he could find a suitable nanny so she wasn't that familiar with their little games.
"It's okay Mr. Scott…they were perfect little angels up until the Chester thing. By the way…how do they know how to take him out of his cage?"
Lucas shrugged, "They pulled that trick since their last nanny. She left when she woke up with Chester on her chest."
"Here he is…" Logan said as he brought out the white and brown spotted bunny.
"Hey there Chester…let's get you back in your cage…" Lucas said as he grabbed their pet and walked down the hall towards their playroom. Once safely back in it's cage Lucas gave a disapproving look at Logan then said, "If I get one more bad report about you Logan there will be no Disneyland this summer. You will be at home with Grandma Karen. Do you understand me?"
"Yes Daddy…"
"Alright then…" he then turned to Sam and asked, "Have they eaten?"
"Yes Mr. Scott and they've just had a bath too. I was actually just trying to get them to go to bed for the night but they said they couldn't sleep knowing that Chester wasn't in his cage." She explained as she held both boys hands, leading them to their bedroom.
"Good—" he began but was interrupted by a small sleepy voice calling to him. "Yeah bud?"
"Can you read us a bedtime story?" Jamie asked as he climbed up on his bed.
"Yeah dad can you?"
Lucas pretended to struggle with the decision but caved and said, "Oh alright…"
"Its my turn to pick the story!" Jamie exclaimed, scampering off his bed to grab a book from their little bookshelf.
"Nuh-uh it's my turn!" Logan whined also going to the bookshelf to pick out his choice for the night.
Lucas sighed as the boys rushed to his side with their books, wondering would they ever grow out of fighting each other over every little thing? He observed the titles they brought him then shrugged, "Looks like we're going to have to play Eeny, meeny, miny, moe to decide this…"
"Choose mine!" Jamie pleaded, holding up Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
"No choose mine!" Logan said as he jumped up and down while holding up Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
Lucas closed his eyes and chanted, "Eeny meeny miny moe. Catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers let him go.Eeny… meeny… miny….moe." He opened his eyes and looked at the book which he pointed to when he called out moe and said, "Goodnight moon wins."
"Aw man!" Jamie pouted before putting away his book.
Lucas feeling a little bad said, "We can read it tomorrow morning before I go in to work. How's that?"
"Awesome!" Jamie grinned and hurried into bed.
Lucas waited for his boys climb into their beds before tucking them in. He then sat in his customary rocking chair and began reading, "Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown...In the great green roomThere was a telephone
And a red balloon
And a picture of-
The cow jumping over the moon
And there were three little bears sitting on chairs
And two little kittens
And a pair of mittens
And a little toy house
And a young mouse
And a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush
And a quiet old lady who was whispering "hush"
Goodnight room
Goodnight moon
Goodnight cow jumping over the moon
Goodnight light
And the red balloon
Goodnight bears
Goodnight chairs
Goodnight kittens
And goodnight mittens
Goodnight clocks
And goodnight socks
Goodnight little house
And goodnight mouse
Goodnight comb
And goodnight brush
Goodnight nobody
Goodnight mush
And goodnight to the old lady whispering "hush"
Goodnight stars
Goodnight air
Good night noises everywhere…"
Lucas sighed then saw that both boys were tuckered out and had to grin. He stood to his feet and kissed both their heads then turned on their nightlight and turned out the lights before leaving. "Goodnight my princes..."
Sam smiled and said, "You know the real reason they didn't want to go to sleep was because they were waiting for you…I didn't want to bust them so I kept quiet."
"Thank you for your patience…I really appreciate that you're here." Lucas said as he paid her.
Sam counted the cash as she said, "Its no problem! Call me anytime!" Once she was done she grinned and said, "Goodnight Mr. Scott!"
"Goodnight Sam. See you tomorrow morning." He said as he led the eighteen year old out the door.