Rituals for Love (9781476761893) by Shamara Ray

business with pleasure?”
    â€œI don’t make any decisions lightly, Davis. We’re going into business together because it’s a great opportunity with a helluva lot of potential to make a helluva lot of money.”
    â€œAll right, man. Remember, it’s a fine line to walk. I hope you have good balance.”

CHAPTER EIGHT
JADE
    T he main dining room at Rituals was bustling. Every table and almost every seat at the bar was filled. Bria and I were blessed that Rituals had been a success from the minute we opened our doors. In an industry where so many restaurants never get off the ground, we were actually doing better with each passing year. I could only hope that Genesis would be as successful. New York City was an entirely different animal.
    I was going to start spending three days a week in Manhattan once our temporary office space was set up. I wanted to be on-site to oversee the build-out of the restaurant and spa. There was much to be done. This was my vision and it needed to be perfect. I planned to take Milan’s earlier advice and make sure Bria was in the loop. I had been procrastinating all day. It was after seven and she was planning to leave at the top of the hour. I headed back to the office to catch her before she left for the day.
    She was on the phone smiling and laughing when I entered the office. “I’ll call you back, honey. Jade just came in.”
    â€œYou didn’t have to get off.”
    â€œThat’s okay. Ernest was talking a hole in my head. I’m meeting him at the club when I leave here. Do you want to come?”
    Ernest owned Club Blaze, a popular nightclub up in Harlem.
    â€œNot tonight. I have some work I need to do for Genesis—which is what I came in here to talk to you about. Do you have a minute?”
    Bria looked at the clock on the wall. “Sure, what’s up?”
    â€œI wanted to let you know that I’m committed to Rituals.”
    â€œI know that.”
    â€œI mean even though I’m embarking on this new venture with Cain, I’m still committed.”
    â€œJade, I hate when you beat around the bush. What’s really going on?”
    I chuckled. “That’s not what I’m doing.”
    â€œThen get to the point,” she said, glancing at the clock again.
    â€œStarting in a few weeks, I’m going to be spending three days a week in the city. I know that’s going to affect your schedule somewhat, and I want to figure out how we can minimize the impact.”
    Bria leaned back in the chair. “Minimize the impact?”
    â€œI was thinking that I can still handle the purchasing on the days that I come in here. And technically, we can discuss our special menu items on a—”
    â€œGirl, is that what you’re concerned about?”
    â€œWell, yeah. I don’t want my responsibilities to fall on you.”
    â€œWe have a tightly run ship with an amazing staff. I’m not saying we don’t need you around here, but we can manage. I told you that I wish you success. Whatever I can do around here to help you get your new place off the ground, you have my support. I meant that. Honestly, I don’t know why you thought I didn’t.”
    Her tone, but that’s just Bria. I smiled. “I didn’t want you to think I was taking you and what we’ve created here for granted.”
    â€œThat’s just crazy. We built this together. I know what Rituals means to you. I want you to win in all things, not just what we’ve created.”
    My shoulders visibly relaxed. “Thank you, Bria. I don’t tell you enough, but I appreciate you.”
    â€œSame here.”
    Bria and I had really worked on improving our communication in the past year. There was a time when we did more bickering than we should have. We were finally in a place where we not only respected one another as friends, we respected each other as businesswomen. It was a wonderful feeling