“Get on with the bad news.” She leaned her head back against the chair and turned so she could look at Gwen. “Or semi-bad news as you said.”

“I’ve also taken a catering gig for us.”

Reagan opened her mouth to protest, but Gwen raised her hand. “I know we said we’d stop doing them once we had three restaurants under our belt, but this was hard to pass up. It’s a sixtieth birthday party for one of the best corporate lawyers in the city. His wife supposedly loves Wren, and when Beth talked to her, she said she’d pay any amount necessary for us. When Beth tried to tell her that we weren’t in the catering business anymore, she threw out that she’d pay almost triple what we used to charge. I just couldn’t say no, Reagan. We can get our name out there a little more, maybe schmooze the uppity people at the party and let them know about all our restaurants. This could be a big boost in business. Plus, it will give us a better financial footing for the new place.”

Reagan sat up and rested her elbows on her knees, clasping her hands together. “Okay, so it’s not an ideal situation with trying to get this fourth restaurant in motion, but I agree it could definitely help us in the long run. Why’d you say it’s bad news then?”

Gwen cleared her throat and rubbed the back of her neck. “I think we should maybe broach the subject of temporarily hiring someone else to take the lead on it while you’re still out. I also met with the daughter this morning and I can tell she’ll be a handful. She basically asked if we’d be at her beck and call at all hours of the day if she had questions or demands.” She rolled her eyes. “You could tell she had a huge stick up her ass and is probably not used to hearing the word ‘no.’”

Reagan stared at her dad’s pale face, watching him take each breath for several moments. “Who did you have in mind?” she whispered, her voice catching at the end.

“Myles.”

Reagan sat up straight. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Gwen held up her hands. “Look, I know you don’t like him.”

“That’s an understatement.”

“I know you have a history…”

“We don’t have a history. He has a history with my ex before she was my ex.”

“Yes, I know. It’s not ideal, but I’ve heard he doesn’t have anything going on right now.”

“No? Too busy screwing other people’s girlfriends to open his own restaurant? That’s too bad.”

“You’ve said yourself in the past that he knows how to get things done and manage people.”