Blake was still furious with Ian over what had transpired that afternoon, plus he was stirred over the kiss.  He left the restaurant long enough to cool down and then he went back.  He told Mrs. Madison to come back to the office with him.  Ian was sitting in the office with his feet on the desk again and Pandora on the computer.  He looked up at Blake and didn't say anything.

"We're about to make some big changes around here.  What I saw happen today will never happen in this place ever again."

"You can thank Rena for that."

Blake bit his lip and clenched his fist.  He didn't want to pound Ian, but could feel it coming.  His temples began to throb.  He didn't comment on what Ian said. 

"Mrs. Madison, you are now Ian's manager.  I am moving Avery up to day shift manager, and we'll find someone capable that is currently on staff to manage the night shift."

Ian and Mrs. Madison both looked startled.  Ian stood up. 

"You can't do that.  I'm the owner here along with my mother."

"You're an irresponsible, callous and indifferent idiot.  As long as my money is supporting this restaurant and your current lifestyle, you will do what I say from this day forward."

Ian sat back down in the chair with a scowl on his face.  Mrs. Madison blushed. 

Blake continued.  "As of today, you are only allowed in this office from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM.  During that time you will handle the accounting, the payroll, ordering supplies and now food ordering.  During the other hours, you need to be up front or helping in the kitchen.  Mrs. Madison, I don't want you doing anything related to ordering any more.  Ian, from 6:00 AM until 2:00 PM you will work the front end and the kitchen and be responsible to make sure that every restroom is adequately cleaned, and you will handle all customer service issues and not refer them to anyone.  Your lunch break is from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM."

Shocked, Ian said, "I'm not coming in here at 6:00 AM!"

"Clarissa has given me authority to do what is in the best interest of this place.  If that's the way you feel, you can leave today."

Ian snapped his mouth shut and glared at Blake.  Mrs. Madison smiled.  Blake looked at her. 

"The only thing you need to do is watch Ian and help Clarissa and Rena when they ask you.  You will have access to me every day during his shift.  If he deviates from one thing that I've said today, write him up.  Ian, if you have as many as three write ups you will be terminated.  You are to arrive at work and clock in 15 minutes early.  If you are late more than three times you will be terminated."

"Wait a minute.  I'm salaried.  You can't do this!"

"I've already done it.  Your hourly rate is $12 an hour.  You can earn your way back to a management position and a full paid salary any time that you'd like.  Your new responsibilities start now.  For the rest of this day, all I want you to do is clean the restrooms and bust tables.  That's where I started, and I own nine restaurants and a coffee shop right now."

Ian rolled his eyes.  He folded his arms across his chest in rebellion.  Some days, Ian wanted to box Blake up and ship him back to Florida.  

"And one more thing, Mrs. Madison.   If you see him using anything electronic or doing any personal things by phone or by computer, with the exception of when he should be managing the books, send him home.  We will dock him an entire day's pay.  If it happens twice, he will be suspended a week.  After that, termination."

Ian sat there, tight-lipped.  Mrs. Madison smiled and pointed to him. 

"Ian, go clean the restrooms, and when you're finished, go help the team bust the tables."

He forcibly pushed the chair back as he stood and went out in a huff.  Mrs. Madison called out to Ian, "You're going to do well.  I know it's in you."  She heard Ian suck his teeth in response as he disappeared around the corner.

After Ian left the office, Mrs. Madison walked over to Blake. "Bless you, for everything you've done to help all of us.  Thank you so much."

Blake wasn't through.  He set up password authorizations for key staff.  Ian was blocked from anything that he wasn't assigned to do.  Clarissa only had access to payroll and accounting.  Mrs. Madison had access to monitor Ian.  He authorized himself and Rena to have access to everything.  He was stirring up a hornet's nest, but he didn't care.  After the lunchtime rush hour slowed, he called a staff meeting and updated and informed them to expect more changes.

The staff meeting took about thirty minutes.  As he was walking back to the office, he got an unexpected visit from Mr. Parks, Courtney's dad. Mr. Parks was a wonderful man and had supported Blake and the Blackshears through this entire ordeal over Ian's mismanagement.  His short stature and shiny, silver hair made him look wise.  Blake had never seen him look so casual.  He was dressed in jeans and a blue, button-down shirt.  His blue eyes twinkled as if he were excited about something.

"Mr. Parks, what brings you here?"

"I found a way to refinance the debt and I'm excited about that.  I don't want to trouble Clarissa with all this business.  You can discuss it with her later."

Blake was happy with anything that could change the situation that the Blackshear's were in.  There was no better person in all of Savannah to do that besides Mr. Parks. 

"Come back to the office.  I'd be glad to discuss it."

When Mr. Parks left, he and Blake had made all the arrangements pending approval from Clarissa.  This had indeed been a very successful day.

***

Avery and Rena acted like two giggling schoolgirls when they met at the park.  They were both excited to finally have a chance to see each other.  It was hard for Rena to imagine the number of years that had passed between them.  They had each been each other's confidants and when she was forced to move away, she felt like a part of her heart had been snatched away.  Avery tried to call.  She did everything that she could to keep up with Rena.  But Rena pushed her away, feeling that the quicker she could put everyone behind her, the more she'd be able to cope in New York.  She never forgave her mother for robbing her of her junior and senior years in their beloved Savannah high school.

"Rena, I've heard that you are some really big city girl now, and known throughout the country for your event planning."

"I'm still a small-town girl in heart.  I do love New York.  I do work for a very large chain of hotels and they use my services all over the country, but I'm stationed at one location in New York.  What about you?"

"I never left Savannah.  I've been married and divorced once, remarried, and then my husband died in a motorcycle accident. I have a twelve-year-old daughter.  Been working as the night shift manager of The Chicken and Waffle Inn for seven years now.  Blake recently moved my position to the day shift manager."

"I'm so sorry to hear about the accident and the divorce.  You've been through a lot."

"It's made me not take life for granted."

The thought of her best friend having two marriages when she'd never had one and had nothing on the horizon made Rena feel a little odd.  She'd always wanted to be married.  And she'd always imagined whom she'd marry.

"I wish I was married with a child. I'm thirty-six with no husband and no children. That's certainly not the way I planned it."

"But, Rena, you've got the world at your feet.  Everybody here is so proud of you and Blake."

Rena knew that Avery could never understand the way she was feeling.  She had had much success, but it had come at a terrible cost.  Rena loved her life and was grateful for everything that she'd accomplished in New York, but her heart was empty.  Right now, she'd trade everything for her heart to be filled with the love of Blake. 

"Well, you know what they say – the grass is always greener on the other side."

"I'd never expected to hear that from you."

"Don't get me wrong, Avery. I'm extremely happy with my good success, but I've always wanted a family like the one I had before Mom sent me away."

"We all just knew you and Blake were going to get married and have a bunch of babies.  I can still remember you guys making out right over there.  You two were different.  While most of us were out there cheerleading or dating jocks from the football field, you and Blake were working in that restaurant.  Look how it's paid off.  That man's got one of the best chains in the south, and you're a hospitality icon."

Rena blushed.  "Ok, let me stop feeling sorry for myself for not having my own family.  Avery, I wanted to talk to you today because I feel so out of place.  Since I've come back it seems that everything is turned upside down.  What's going on?"

"I knew that was going to happen.  When Blake told me you were coming, I grieved for you.  I know you're overwhelmed.  But I'm mad at you, too.  If you didn't come home for your Mom, you should have still come home for Blake."

Rena sat pensively as the weight of those words washed over her.  Avery was a straight shooter, and that's why Rena respected her and asked her to come.  If she was going to get through all of this, she needed the truth – no words minced. 

"How is Blake?"

***Author Note***

To:My Beloved Readers

From: Jaspira

I've really enjoyed all of your comments, sharing of your emotions about the book that have me laughing and crying.  Plus some new vocabulary that I'm learning - like ship it.  That was amazing.  And I've truly been blessed by so many that have said that this story makes them want to fall in love again or be more in love with the person they are with.  For other's it's been a path of healing for wounded relationships.  I'm honored with you kind words.  Thank you so much them.  If any of you are on Twitter please follow me.  I just started Twitter this year and haven't quite figured out what I'll be saying on it yet, so any suggestions let me know.  You can find me at Jaspira Noel.