Arya laughed. “Fair enough.”
“Seriously, though. I think this is great.” Reza smiled. “I remember you guys growing up. The Three Musketeers. I can’t believe it’s taken this long for you to do something like this.”
“More like the Three Must-o-teers,” Arya said.
Ramin groaned at the terrible pun.
But a balloon swelled in Farzan’s chest so fast, so fierce, he wanted to explode.
He loved these guys so much. He was lucky to have them in his life. And he was starting to admit that maybe they were lucky to have him, too.
“Okay, partners.” Farzan threw his arms over his friends’ shoulders. “I’m pretty sure Reza charges by the hour, so we better get out of here.”
Reza chuckled. “Tell your parents I said hi.”
“Will do.”
“So going forward, I’ll be transitioning more to a chef de cuisine role,” Farzan said the next morning. “And we’ll be looking for someone to take over as general manager. If any of you want to put your name in the hat for that, definitely do.”
Farzan looked out over the staff of Shiraz Bistro, seated at the tables. Ramin and Arya hovered behind him, but they’d insisted this was his show.
“Also, I know this is a big change, but I… well, we… think this is what’s best for the restaurant’s future. For all of us. Any questions?”
Farzan waited, but no one spoke up. Not that he expected many qualms, but you never knew.
“All right. Well. Thanks all. Let’s prep for service. Oh! And, Sheena, I’ve got something in the oven, but it should be done soon and out of the way.”
“Got it.”
As the kitchen staff filed back and the front-of-house team started setting the chairs and tables, Farzan retreated to the bar with Ramin and Arya.
“Good job, boss,” Arya said.
Farzan rolled his eyes. “Come on.”
“He’s right, though,” Ramin said. He slipped his phone out of his pocket to check the time. “Okay, we’ve got that meeting with the Trans and their agent. You sure you don’t want to come?”
Farzan shook his head. “I’ve got some stuff to take care of here, and then… Well. David’s test was yesterday, so he should be back today.”
“Ah, so you’re ditching work to go make some sort of grand romantic gesture?” Arya quirked an eyebrow. “A boom box outside his window? Oh, did he fly? Can you run through the airport to meet him?”
“I don’t think the TSA likes that,” Ramin pointed out.
“Maybe not grand,” Farzan said. “But at least it’ll be honest.”
Arya grinned. “That’s the best gesture of all. Good luck, dude.”
“Whatever happens, we love you,” Ramin said, pulling Farzan into a hug. “Go get your man.”
Farzan nodded.
He didn’t know if it would be enough. If he would be enough.
But he was willing to ask anyway.
The rest would be up to David.
fifty-four
