It was on one of those vacations that I’d asked Jack if I could work at the restaurant. I’d always been fascinated by the way Jack ran the restaurant and how much it was part of the fabricof the Spencer family. Being an only child to a single parent, I’d craved being part of something like that. Something bigger that was also part of the community.
Speaking of which, I was due a call to my mom. A few years ago, she left her nursing job to do contract work abroad because she wanted to travel more now that I was an adult.
We had a great relationship, but I wouldn’t say we were super close. As a single mom, she’d worked all the hours she could get at the hospital, which meant I’d spent my time with Adam and his family or at home alone.
I loved my mom, but I certainly couldn’t say our relationship had the same level of connection as the Spencer parents and their sons.
Still, I missed her, and it had been a while since I’d received a postcard from her, so I should check in and see how the South of France was treating her.
“River, you coming?” Lex called out. He was already heading back to the beach to join Noah and Lior, who’d gone back earlier.
“Be right there,” I responded, glancing at Adam. He was gazing out toward the horizon. I couldn’t blame him for being more introspective than usual, but I knew there would always be a part of me that wanted to fix things for him.
“Race you back,” Adam said, splashing water in my direction.
“Bring it on,” I shot back. I was nothing if not competitive. Hey, I worked in the restaurant business. Competitive was my middle name. Besides, he already had the best fisherman title.
We joined the others just as Noah emerged from the resort’s thatched bar, a tray of vividly hued cocktails balanced expertly in his hands. I watched him weave through clusters of beachgoers like a pro.
“Here comes the liquid sunshine!” Noah announced.
“About time, dude,” Lex teased, reaching for a glass garnished with a slice of pineapple and a tiny umbrella.
“Cheers to another day in paradise,” Noah said, lifting his cocktail high before taking a long sip.
“Paradise indeed,” Adam echoed.
“Speaking of paradise,” Noah continued, settling into the lounger already taken by Lior and leaning back. Lior wrapped his arms around Noah, kissing his shoulder. “I’ve been thinking. We should make a thing of this.”
“Of what?” Lex asked.
“Just us. Chilling and hanging out. Our very own annual bro-cation.”
“Dude, I already see you every day,” Adam said, and Noah threw the little umbrella from his drink at his brother.
Lex leaned forward on his lounger, resting his elbows on his knees. “Noah has a point. Spencer Brothers PR is more than just a business. It’s more than the next big project or making a name for ourselves.”
“True,” Adam mused, sipping his drink through the straw. “It’s about family. Keeping this connection strong, no matter how busy we get.”
“Exactly,” Noah agreed. “It’s why we started this whole venture. To build something of our own, something as big as Lusitana that is just ours.”
“Plus, these getaways give us the chance to unwind and enjoy what our hard work can afford us,” Lex added, reclining beside Emery with a contented sigh.
“Here’s to traditions,” I toasted, raising my glass toward the brothers, each so different, yet every single one a Spencer through and through.
“Here’s to traditions,” they echoed.
The laughter and conversation flowed as freely as the drinks, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of appreciation for these moments.
“Speaking of success,” Noah began, turning toward me with a relaxed grin, the fading light catching the glint in his eyes, “How’s Lusitana holding up? Last I heard, you guys were booked solid for months.”
“Actually, it’s never been better,” I replied, my chest swelling with a quiet pride that I rarely allowed myself to acknowledge. “We’re experimenting with new flavors, fusing traditional dishes with modern twists but staying true to your family’s Portuguese roots. People seem to love it.”
“And you’ve got that farm-to-table thing going on too, right?” Lex chimed in. “Eco-friendly and gourmet—talk about hitting the jackpot.”
“Something like that.” A smile crept onto my lips as I thought about the restaurant, my sanctuary. To pour passion into cuisine, to watch strangers unite over a dining experience I helped create—it was more than just work. It was sharing a piece of myself, an act of service that connected me to this family, to Adam.
“Hey, you know what you need, River?” Lex asked with a mischievous wink. “A good hookup to celebrate your achievements. How about that bartender Morgan? He’s been eyeing you every time we drop by for drinks.”
