“I want it to feel clubby. I would like part of it to be a drop-in-after-work kind of place for young professionals who like to drink a lot and converse. The back part should be a fine-dining destination. I want it to be a destination. Become a habit. Can you see that?”

“Hell, if I could conjure that up, I would’ve given that idea to my brother and Griffin. Or my husband,” I added as an afterthought.

“Touché,” he laughed. “But do you get the vibe?”

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed. Mac nodded as I took out my phone. I noticed he took the opportunity to check his own. It was Elliott. “Jesus, I hate doctors. He said the only thing he could really give me is that injection,” he started.

“Elliott, I’m in a meeting right now. That’s good news isn’t it? No surgery. Take the injection. Let me call you when I finish my meeting.” But Elliott had already ended the call. I tried not to think about how mad Elliott might be at me because I didn’t hear him out. I turned my attention back to Mac.

“Where were we? Yes, your vibe,” I said, more casually than I felt. I could tell Elliott was angry. I didn’t look forward to dealing with that later. “Have you selected a space?”

Mac patted his jacket pockets. “Dammit.” For the first time in our acquaintance, Mac looked sheepish. “This is a new sport coat, and I forgot to transfer my checkbook. I wanted to get our retainer out of the way. Always trying to impress the ladies. Vanity is the devil.”

“Impress even the married ones?” I inquired.

“Sugar, you just never know.” He grinned. “Here’s an idea. Meet me at this address next Tuesday. Check out the space, and I’ll give you a check for your retainer to feed our grand ambition.”

When I reached the sidewalk, I called Elliott back. There was no answer, and I left him a message telling him I was on my way to the restaurant.

Lea met me at the door. She had a long list of unpaid orders and bills. We walked into the office.

“Is this unusual for Elliott’s balance to get this low? And what are all these cash advances?” I asked, studying the accounts.

“It’s always been like that. I was really surprised he could write you a check for fifteen hundred the other month. Do you have another checking account?” Lea asked. “As for the cash advances, I figured you were both withdrawing money.”

“I don’t know anything about other checking accounts. The restaurant and the personal checking accounts are it, as far as I know,” I said, noting I had not withdrawn one red cent after Elliott’s scolding about me needing to be more frugal. “Do you still have the checkbooks?”