TheDungeon by Velvet

wound up bankrupt. Kendall was determined that that would never become her
fate, so she was vigilant about the daily receipts.
    The phone rang as Kendall was crunching numbers on the
calculator. “Hello, Kendall Hall speaking,” she said, answering on the second
ring.
    “Hello, Kendall, this is Magnus.”
    “Hi, Magnus.”
    “How are you?”
    Kendall found herself blushing at the sound of his voice.
“I’m well, thanks. What’s going on?”
    “My attorney has drawn up the contract for our partnership.
I’m in the city today and I want to stop by the restaurant so you can take a
look at it.”
    “That was quick.”
    “I’m a man of action and when I see a good thing, I don’t
waste time putting a deal to bed.”
    I like his confidence , Kendall thought. “Sure, you
can stop by. I’ll be here all day.”
    “Okay, I’ll see you within the hour.”
    “Sounds good, see you then,” she replied, and hung up.
    Kendall went back to crunching numbers and two minutes
later, the phone rang again. “I wonder what he wants now. Hello, Kendall Hall speaking.”
    “Hey there, stranger.”
    “Who you calling stranger, stranger?”
    “You’re the one who dropped out of sight. I haven’t seen you
since our dinner at Niko,” Sydnee replied.
    “Come on now, Syd, isn’t that a bit dramatic? I didn’t drop
out of sight, I’ve just been busy, that’s all.” Kendall was tempted to tell
Sydnee that she had been busy performing BDSM acts at The Dungeon, but decided
not to.
    “Well, Ms. Busy, I’m here at your restaurant, so get busy
making me some lunch.”
    “Lunch is over, my dear.”
    “It’s never over for me. I’ve got pull with the chef.
Haven’t you heard?” Sydnee chuckled.
    “Must be nice to know people in high places, I’ll be right
out.” Kendall hung up, put away the paperwork she was working on and headed to
the dining room.
    “Hey, Syd,” Kendall said, giving her friend a warm hug,
“good to see you.”
    Sydnee hugged her back. “Good to see you too. We have to
catch up. So what have you been up to?” she asked, wasting no time getting into
Kendall’s business.
    “Come on. Let’s sit down and have a cocktail or two before
you start with your inquisition,” Kendall remarked and walked toward the bar.
    “It’s not an inquisition. I can’t help it if I’m curious by
nature.”
    “Is it nature or nosy?” Kendall chucked. “What do you want
to drink?”
    “A Kir Royale. Anyway, for once and for all, I am not nosy!
I’m a reporter and reporters ask questions.” Sydnee worked for Channel One and
covered the television station’s special interest stories.
    “Okay, okay, no need to get riled up. I was just kidding.”
Kendall mixed two glasses of Veuve Clicquot and Chambord, and handed a flute to
Sydnee. “Cheers! Here’s to my new business deal,” she announced, clinking her
friend’s glass.
    “Business deal? What business deal? See, I knew you had
interesting news to share, so spill!”
    Kendall came from around the bar, sat on one of the
barstools and said, “I’m partnering with a casino in Atlantic City to open a
second restaurant.”
    “Congratulations, that’s awesome! Which casino is it?”
    “ACES. It’s a boutique casino that’s looking to reach a more
upscale clientele and Lavender is the perfect fit. However, I think the owner
and I might clash. He—”
    “Why? What’s wrong with him?”
    “Nothing’s wrong with him. He’s just extremely opinionated.”
    Sydnee laughed.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? You’re one of
the most opinionated people I know. I bet he challenged you on something and
got your feathers ruffled,” Sydnee said knowingly.
    Kendall didn’t want to admit that her friend was right, so
she took a sip of her drink and tried to change the subject. “Anyway…”
    “Oh no, don’t you ‘anyway’ me and try to change the subject.
Don’t forget that I know you all too well, Ms. Hall. We go