“That’s the fish place, right?” he asked.

She laughed. “Yeah. And Buchanan’s is the steak house and you’re running the sports bar and Dani takes care of Burger Heaven. Jeez, Reid, this is your heritage. You have a family empire going here.”

“No. What I have is a two-for-one appetizer special during happy hour. You gonna take the job?”

“I think so.” She leaned forward. “He’s paying me an outrageous salary and I get a percentage of the profits. It’s what I’ve been waiting for. In three years I’ll have enough money to open my own place.”

He looked at her. “I told you I’d give you that money. Just tell me how much and I’ll write you a check.”

She knew he could. Reid had millions invested in all kinds of businesses. But she wouldn’t take a loan from a friend. It was too much like being bailed out by her parents.

“I need to do this on my own,” she said. “You know that.”

“Yeah, yeah. You might want to think about getting that chip off your shoulder, Penny. It’s making you walk funny.”

She ignored that. “I like the idea of bringing back The Waterfront from the dead. I’ll become even more of a star, which will make my restaurant even more successful.”

“Not that you’re letting all this go to your head.”

She laughed. “Look who’s talking. Your ego barely fits inside an airplane hangar.”

Reid walked around the desk and crouched next to her. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her cheek. “If this is what you want, you know I’m there for you.”

“Thanks.” She brushed his dark hair off his forehead and knew that in many ways life would have been a lot simpler if she just could have fallen in love with Reid instead of Cal.

He stood and leaned against the desk. “When do you start?”

“As soon as the paperwork is signed. I’ve heard the old place needs a total renovation, but we don’t have time for that. We’re going to have to make do. I need to put together menus, hire a kitchen staff.”