As the three settled into their seats in the office, Zack grinned and clapped his hands, signaling a waiter that opened the door as if he had been standing there since.
The man swiftly approached with a tray balanced expertly in his hands, carrying three glasses of chilled drinks along with an assortnt of appetizers.
The soft clinking of glass filled the quiet office as the drinks were set down, condensation dripping onto the polished wood of the table.
"Figured since we're all here, we might as well drink to sothing," Zack said, leaning back in his chair.
lissa arched an eyebrow. "And what exactly are we drinking to?" she asked, reaching for her glass but hesitating just slightly before taking a sip.
Zack shrugged. "I don't know — success? Friendship? Ethan finally gracing us with his presence again?"
He shot a teasing glance at Ethan, who rely smirked in response.
Ethan took a slow sip of his drink, letting the coolness settle in his throat.
He glanced at lissa, who still seed sowhat irritated.
The tension from earlier hadn't completely dissipated, though she wasn't outright ignoring him anymore.
She was still angry a bit, he could see it in her eyes.
"You still mad at ?" Ethan asked, setting his glass down.
lissa exhaled, swirling her drink in her hand. "Not mad," she admitted. "Just… a little frustrated. You disappear a lot, you know?"
Ethan tilted his head. "I don't disappear. I get busy."
"Sa thing," she muttered, but the sharpness in her voice was duller now. "We're all busy, Ethan. Doesn't an we stop checking in with each other."
Zack leaned forward, cutting in before Ethan could respond. "Alright, alright, let's not make this a whole thing. lissa, Ethan's here now. Ethan, maybe check in a little more, huh?"
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine, I'll check in more."
lissa rolled her eyes. "I'll believe it when I see it."
Zack grinned, clearly pleased with himself for diffusing the situation, and raised his glass. "Well, now that that's settled, let's eat. This place does have so of the best food, thanks to a certain soone."
Ethan smirked at the indirect complint. "Damn right it does."
The waiter had brought an impressive spread — mini sliders, grilled shrimp skewers, a charcuterie board with fine cheeses and squered at.
The aroma of warm bread and seasoned ats filled the office, and even lissa couldn't stay annoyed in the face of good food.
She reached for a shrimp skewer, biting into it and humming in appreciation. "Okay, fine. I'll admit, this is really good."
Zack nudged Ethan. "See? Even when she's mad at you, she can't deny your good taste."
Ethan chuckled, taking another sip of his drink.
The atmosphere lightened as they ate, the earlier tension lting away with each bite and sip.
"So," Zack said, spearing a piece of cheese with a toothpick, "how's everything going with modeling? I haven't seen any new updates on your page,"
lissa wiped her mouth with a napkin before answering. "Good. I haven't really had a chance to make so videos or advertize any brands, I'll have to give it so ti especially since ATLAS is hot right now but I already have five interviews waiting."
Zack whistled. "Damn going to leave them on hold?"
"I guess I could afford to," lissa replied. "We'll have to let my videos with ATLAS stay for a bit first before taking more."
Then she turned to Ethan.
lissa smirked. "What about you and your money-making sches. What's next? Buying out half the city?"
Ethan leaned back, smirking. "Give ti."
They laughed, the tension completely gone now.
The conversation drifted from business to casual talk, to old stories, to the latest happenings in the resort.
Zack filled Ethan in on so recent custor incidents which lissa had recounted earlier except in more detail — so amusing, so annoying.
lissa rolled her eyes at so of the more ridiculous complaints they'd gotten, and Ethan just shook his head, glad he had good people running things while he was handling business elsewhere.
After a while, lissa stretched her arms above her head, leaning back in her chair. "Alright, I should probably get going soon. I still have so work around to finish up before the resort closes."
Ethan wouldnt say it but he was grateful for having her around, not just as a Business partner but as a friend.
Zack groaned. "Ugh, don't remind . I guess I do too."
Ethan smirked, finishing off the last bite of his food. "You two sound like you regret having jobs."
lissa scoffed. "No, I regret dealing with so of the people I have to deal with."
Zack snickered. "She had to deal with a custor who demanded a refund because the 'ocean was too salty.'"
Ethan blinked, then burst out laughing. "You're kidding."
That was absurd, who would complain about the sea being too salty?
lissa groaned. "I wish I was."
Zack chuckled. "She had to explain that we don't control the sea."
Ethan shook his head, still laughing. "People are sothing else man."
They wrapped up their al, finishing off their drinks and pushing the plates to the side.
The waiter returned to clear the table, and as he left, Ethan leaned back in his chair, feeling more relaxed than he had all day.
"Well," Zack said, standing up and stretching, "that was a solid little break. But back to work, I guess, Closing ti isn't too far out from now."
lissa nodded, standing as well. "Yeah, I've got things to handle."
Ethan stood last, rolling his shoulders. "I'll be around the resort for a while. Maybe I'll drop in on a few things."
Zack grinned. "Try not to disappear again, huh?"
Ethan smirked. "No promises."
lissa rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "See you around, Ethan."
With that, they all stepped out of the office, going their separate ways.
Ethan exhaled, adjusting his jacket.
It was nice to catch up, but now it was ti to get back to business.
And right now if there was one thing he wanted to do on the resort before closing ti, it was check on the rich n in the VIP section and talk about his casino project.
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