I’d had no idea how this conversation was going to play out. I had zero expectations. I wasn’t coming in to negotiate. I had come in to tell them how it was going to be, going forward.
But their responses were everything I needed.
I looked at their faces one more time and said, “Do you have anything to say to me before I take off?”
“Yeah, I do.” Hart was grinning like a fucking fool. “I like the way happy looks on you,” Hart said. “I wish it hadn’t taken this long to see it.”
“Same,” I replied.
“You’d better bring Alivia to my next home game,” Beck said. “Last time I saw her at Charred, she told me she’s never been to a hockey game. Your ass needs to change that.”
I chuckled. “I will.”
“I’d like to know why you haven’t called me back after that text I sent you.” Colson was eyeing me.
Fuck. I’d completely forgotten.
“My bad, buddy. I promise you’re going to get that call. I’d come to your office now to talk if I didn’t have to head into a meeting.”
“Don’t forget,” Colson warned.
I couldn’t tell what was going on with him, but I was certainly curious.
I gave him a nod and got up from the chair. “You know, back in the day—I believe it was one Sunday evening a month—I used to have you all over for dinner. I think it’s time I bring back that tradition.” I looked at Beck. “I’ll work it around your schedule to make sure you’re home.”
“Looking forward to that, brother,” Beck said.
“We all are,” Eden added.
I said goodbye, and I took my cell out of my pocket, hitting Jenner’s number. I held the phone to my face as I walked down the hallway.
“Walker, my man, you’re not canceling on me, are you?” Jenner asked.
“Shit, no. I’m just running a little early. I should be at youroffice in about ten minutes. Should I stop for coffee and buy myself some time, or can you meet earlier than we planned?”
“For you, I can meet earlier. But if you want to bring some coffee, I wouldn’t hate that either.”
I chuckled. “Consider it done. I know what I’m asking is far outside your scope of service. I want you to know I appreciate it.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got you.”
THIRTY
Alivia
Istood in the center of Alivia’s with my head back, turning in a circle to take in all the renovations that had happened in the last two days since I’d been here. For two days, I’d done everything in my power to get here, but cooking for James and my full-time job had kept me away.
The kitchen had been in almost-perfect shape when we signed the lease agreement. Walker had suggested just a few additions to make things operate more smoothly, so those had been constructed this past week. As for the dining room, it needed some work. A new configuration, some tweaking design-wise, lots of paint and plaster and lighting to give it the cozy vibes I was after.
We were only two months away from opening day. A date I could barely process. Everything was happening, and with each new revelation and step forward, the emotions that it brought made my eyes constantly fillwith tears.
There wasn’t an hour that passed that I wasn’t asking myself …
How is this my life?
How is this all happening?
How am I getting everything I’ve ever dreamed of?
