37.

                                    

                                          
As it turned out, Sam was slightly taken aback by Bradley's offer.
                          
"Oh, I don't know," he demurred, running his fingers through his mustache. "That's an awful big responsibility and I'm an old dog who might have a hard time learning new tricks. I wouldn't want to mess anything up for you boys. I know how hard you've all worked for this."
                          
"Look," Bradley leaned forward in his chair, exchanging a glance with Lukas and Dave, "you knew that dining room better than anyone, inside and out. You and Stacia worked as a team and she relied on you. You won't mess anything up, Sam. You've been at this a long time. Bottom line is, we need someone who has experience, someone we can trust. That's you."
                          
Dave nodded his agreement, adding, "it's not a huge dining room, either. The staff is pretty small. This is a much smaller scale operation that La Serine. None of have any doubt in our minds that you'd be able to handle it. Or else we wouldn't have asked you."
                          
"Don't let him get in your head, man," Lukas sagely offered. "He tried to do it to me, too, especially when I quit. Told me I was insane for leaving, that I wasn't talented enough to get a job anywhere, that I'd be begging to come back. He thinks he's the end all and be all but you're better than him. You have more integrity in your little finger than he has in his entire body."
                          
He still looked uncertain so Bradley made a quick decision to lay it on the line. "There's no one else who could do the job that you could here, Sam. Simple as that. You'd be an asset to us. I understand if you think it'd be too much. I'm leaving it totally up to you. Maybe talk it over with Katharine. If you decide not to take it, there's no hard feelings but just so you know," he paused to get Lukas and Dave's silent approval, "job's yours, if you want it. Today."
                          
His candor had left the older man speechless and for a good minute, he could do nothing but drag a hand over his mouth, then over his hair, unable to formulate what he wanted to say. 
                          
"Would it be alright to sleep on it? I don't want to take too long, making a decision, but I owe it to you, Bradley. I owe it to all of you, to make sure this is right...that I can keep up. I wouldn't want to let you down. This is your dream."
                          
"And part of it is getting to work with talented people, people I admire." Bradley let him know. "You were the best at your job, just like Lukas over here."
                          
"Well, I appreciate that, son. And I appreciate the offer. I just want to give it my full consideration before I accept."
                          
"Take as much time as you need," the younger man reassured him. "Right?"
                          
His friends nodded in agreement, though Dave looked ready to protest Sam taking as much time as he needed, given that they were due to open in the spring but he kept silent and Bradley had to give credit where credit was due. 
                          
"I'll let you know as soon as I can," Sam rose, making sure to shake hands with everyone at the table. "Thank you again," he rested his palm against his heart, "it really touched me that you all trust me enough to manage the dining room. It's a big responsibility and that you think I'm up to it...well, it means a whole lot."
                          
"Thank you for even considering it," Bradley guided him to the door, a hand on his shoulder. "Talk to you soon."
                          
When Sam had gone, he turned to his friends. "Well, he didn't flat out say no, right? That's a positive."
                          
"He's scared he's too old, is what it is," Lukas said, stretching his arms over his head, "maybe he thinks he'll forget things."
                          
"That's bullshit. You've seen him. He was Stacia's right hand guy. How many times did she say that she couldn't do her job without him?"