Ruthie is a red-hot mess after five endless nights of making love with Davis. While her body is sexually satiated, her brain is on another planet. She burns toasts, spills coffee, and screws up customer orders. On Thursday, she’s late for her meeting with Marjorie and Mark McKinney.
“I’m so sorry!” Ruthie says when she sees them seated at the breakfast counter. “My dental hygienist took longer than expected to clean my teeth.”
After that remark, she feels Tanya, her head waitress, staring a hole in the back of her pink uniform dress.
Ruthie stuffs her purse under the counter and reaches for the coffeepot. “Can I offer you some fresh coffee?”
Mark holds up a white mug to show it filled to the rim with coffee. “I’m good.” He gestures at the dirty plates in front of them. “We ate breakfast too. The food was delicious.”
“Tasty, although lacking in originality,” Marjorie says with a turned-up nose.
Mark shoots his wife a sharp look. “There was nothing ordinary about my spinach and bacon frittata. A minute ago, you were raving about your oatmeal Brulé.”
Marjorie wipes her lipstick-smeared lips and tosses her napkin on her plate. “Once we agree on a price, we’ll be making some changes.”
Ruthie’s skin prickles. Agree on a price? I haven’t agreed to sell the diner. Her curiosity gets the best of her. “What sorta changes?”
Marjorie’s brown eyes travel the room. “The retro theme isn’t really my style. The black-and-white floor will have to go. I’m thinking something cozier with more wood and less pleather.”
Ruthie loses control of her tongue. “Something more in line with cheesesteak joints?”
Marjorie lets out a loud humph. “Our menu may have centered on Philly’s famous cheesesteaks, but our cuisine was gourmet and our decor upscale comfort.”
Ruthie pours herself a cup of coffee. “Just so you know, retro isn’t a theme for my diner. The decor is original from when my parents opened the place in 1954. Whenever something wears out, I replace it with the same.”
“The location is ideal, right smack in the center of town.” Mark stands abruptly. “Can we have a tour?”
“Of course.” Ruthie gives them a brief tour of the dining room before leading them into the kitchen. After pointing out the spotless and updated commercial-grade appliances, she shows them the office, break room, and alley out back.
Marjorie, surprisingly, seems impressed. “I didn’t mean to upset you earlier, Ruthie. I just have a different vision for the diner. Should we buy it, we’ll want to make the place our own.”
Ruthie gives her a curt nod. “I understand, but keep in mind, it took me years to build my brand. I have customers who come from miles away to purchase my specialty pastries, pies, and muffins. I’ve valued their business for decades. I would hate to disappoint them. And I would hate for you to lose the clientele.”
“Pastries, pies, and muffins aren’t the menu items I have in mind. Perhaps you should start a bakery in your home.”
Ruthie levels her gaze on the woman. “The idea is for me to retire. Operating a bakery out of my house is not my idea of relaxation.”
“I plan to wow our customers with new menu items. They won’t even miss your little old pastries.”
Our customers. This woman has in mind to change everything. Ruthie’s Diner would be no more. She must save her customers from this awful person. When she decides to sell, the price will need to be high and the new owners the right fit.
“I’m sorry for wasting your time, but I’ve decided not to sell.” She ushers the couple back through the diner to the front door. “Thank you for stopping by.”
Mark opens the door. “Let’s step outside for a minute. I’ve studied the comps from recent sales of buildings on Magnolia Avenue, and I’m prepared to offer you an attractive price.”
He holds the door for the women, and the threesome huddle together on the sidewalk out front. When Mark tells her the amount, Ruthie’s eyes pop and her mouth falls open. With that kind of money, she could live lavishly for the rest of her life.
Mark continues, “We would take possession of the restaurant in sixty days, and we can’t guarantee jobs for your current staff. Although we would like to interview all of them.”
“I don’t know what to say. I never dreamed my business was worth so much.”
“We’d be buying the building, not the business,” Marjorie snaps.
Mark rests a hand on his wife’s shoulder, a warning for her to dial it down. “This town is growing by leaps and bounds. Real estate on Magnolia Avenue is a hot commodity. I understand if you need some time to think about it.”
“But don’t take too long,” Marjorie warns. “We’re looking at other properties.”
“Can you give me the weekend?” Ruthie asks, and the McKinneys agree.
“But no later than Monday,” Marjorie says as they climb into their black Cayenne.
Ruthie’s head spins as she goes back inside. Has real estate in Lovely gone up that much in the past few years? She’s in over her head. She needs professional guidance.
She retrieves her cell phone from her purse and types out a text to the only Realtor she knows, asking to meet with him as soon as possible. Jamie responds right away. I’m in the neighborhood. I’ll be there in a few minutes.
Ruthie tidies up the dining room while she waits, collecting dirty dishes and throwing away trash. When she glimpses Davis in front of Laney’s Bouquets next door, she moves closer to the window to get a better look. He appears to be having a heated discussion with Hazel. He tries to grab Hazel’s arm, and she backs away, shaking her head as if to tell him no. No to what? Is he asking Hazel on a date?
With a sick feeling in her gut, Ruthie turns away from the window. Why does she care if Davis goes out with Hazel? Ruthie and Davis aren’t exclusive. Their relationship is all about sex. He’s too young for her. A temporary playmate. A distraction to help her forget about Daniel.
Ruthie refills her coffee mug and sits down at the breakfast counter to wait for Jamie. But she can’t shake the feeling of impending doom. If Davis means nothing to her, why does she feel so down? Then it dawns on her that everything is changing. She’s considering selling the diner. She’s getting older, no longer a pretty young thing like Hazel. She’ll soon be entering her twilight years, and now that Daniel is out of the picture, she’ll be making the trip alone. While she’s been out with every available man in town, she can’t see herself in a long-term relationship with any of them. None of them are Daniel. He was the perfect man for her. But her mistrust of him drove him into the arms of another woman.
Ruthie is deep in thought when Jamie slides onto the barstool beside her. He nudges her arm, and her head spins toward him. “Oh. Hey, Jamie.”
A smile crosses his boyish face. “What’s up? Are you selling or buying?”
“Selling. Potentially. I’m not sure I’m ready, although I just received a very attractive offer.” She tells him about the offer. “Do you think the diner is worth that much?”
His baby blues twinkle. “In this market, it might be worth more. You are sitting on prime real estate. I wouldn’t jump into anything until you’ve done some research. If you’re serious about selling, I can help you get the best price.” He gives his spiel about the advantages of using a Realtor when selling property. “If you’re interested in working with me, we’ll start by checking comps.”
“That would be great! How long will it take? I have until Monday to notify the potential buyers.”
“I’ll email them to you this afternoon. Call me after you’ve reviewed them.” Jamie jumps to his feet. “Any chance I can get a cream cheese Danish to go?”
“Sure thing.” Ruthie goes behind the counter, slips a pastry into a wax paper bag, and hands it to Jamie. When he tries to pay for it, she tells him it’s on the house. “Thanks, Jamie. I’ll be on the lookout for your email.”
The lunch rush prevents her from checking her email until later in the afternoon, and she’s stunned to see the recent selling prices of buildings on Magnolia Avenue. She clicks on Jamie’s number. “These comps are remarkable.”
“I told you. We can get way more for the diner than what your potential buyers offered. Would you like for me to negotiate with them?”
“I think I’ll wait this one out. The McKinneys aren’t interested in the business. They want the building to open a new eatery. Ruthie’s diner is a cornerstone of our charming small town. For the sake of my customers, I’d prefer to find a buyer interested in keeping the diner as is.”
“I’ll poke around and see what I can find out. Are you in a hurry?”
“Not at all. Finding the right buyer is the most important thing.” The weight of the world is lifted from her shoulders as she ends the call. She won’t let anyone pressure her into anything until she’s ready.