I looked at the check, then at Tomás. “Take it off the house account,” I said. Garrett smiled triumphantly—until I added, “Except the house account is closed for this party.” The room went completely silent. Tomás nodded and placed the folder in front of Garrett. “Ms. Delphine Hale is the sole owner of Larks,” he explained. “She had originally planned to cover tonight as an engagement gift. She has withdrawn that gift.”
Coralie stared at me. Vivienne actually whispered, “Owner?” I reminded my sister about the message I had sent three years earlier when I purchased Gus’s remaining shares. She remembered it now. Of course she did. Garrett looked at the $5,200 total and protested that he had announced dinner was on him only because everyone assumed I was handling the restaurant discount.
...
