“We’ll sell food until it’s gone, and then they’ll have to wait for lunch. No need to be nervous. You’re badass. Let’s do this, Jules.”
With a smile on my face to cover the nerves, I walk to the door and unlock it, swing it open, and announce, “Come on in, everyone!”
With my back propping the door open, I greet the twenty or so people as they walk in. When I glance up, I see Brooks waiting in line, and it makes my heart swell so big, I’m surprised my chest can still hold it.
“Well, hey there, handsome.” I grin as he cups my face in his big hands and lowers his mouth to mine. “You came.”
“Where else would I be, Wildfire? I’m so fucking proud of you.” He kisses me deeply before walking into the restaurant.
I’m so fucking proud of you.
God, I don’t remember the last time I heard those words from anyone. I didn’t know until now how badly I needed them.
I follow him inside, hurrying behind the counter to start filling orders. Tandy and Hazel arrive, and we are off and running.
Brooks orders a breakfast sandwich and a half dozen muffins to take back to the garage to share, and when I pass all the food to him without charging him, he scowls at me like I’m nuts.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need to pay for my food, Juliet.”
Christy smirks as she whizzes by, filling an order.
“No, babe. You can have the food. You’re married to the owner.”
“Fuck that. My woman is open for business, and I’m paying for it.”
I ring him up, and then my jaw drops when he adds a hundred-dollar tip to his order.
“Brooks—”
“Happy reopening, Wildfire. I’ll be back for lunch.” With a wink, he steps out of line, and I blink back tears as the next person steps up to place their order.
It’s like this all morning—a constant stream of customers. Some of them are tourists, but the vast majority are friends, people I care about and who care about me, all showing up for me.
I’m proud of myself for keeping my emotions in check. I’m just sohappy.My cheeks hurt from all the smiles, but I don’t mind at all.
“I always love the smell of it in here in the morning.” Ava takes a deep breath. “Coffee and sugar with a little bacon. Gotta love it. I’ll have all those things, by the way. So proud of you, friend.”
“It’s been averygood morning, and I didn’t even do any advertising.”
“You don’t need to,” she says with a wink. “You’re a staple in this town. I’ll be by later to check on you. Harper’s coming after work for her salad. She’ll probably take two, knowing her.”
“I have plenty for her, no worries there.”
When I glance in the case and I see that all the breakfast options are gone, I’m stunned.
“I’m getting all the lunch pastries out since it’s almost eleven,” Hazel says as she slides a tray into the case. “And do you mind if we call Erica and the others in, too? It feels like an all-hands-on-deck kind of day.”
“Erica and James come in at one for the dinner shift, but go ahead and call Laurie in, if she’s available.”
With a nod, Hazel bustles off. We have a slight lull in the crowd, since we’re in that between time, and we all hustle to get lunch ready to go.
Connor strides in, looking every inch the billionaire in his expensive suit, and he smiles as he looks around my space.
“Well done, Juliet.”
Holy shit, I won’t make it through this day without crying.
