“My boyfriend, David, who believed in me.” He could just spot David over the crowd around the bar. Even though David had taken a week off work to visit his friend Ayesha in Chicago, he’d taken another week off just to help Farzan get ready for the reopening. Not only that, but he’d picked out the wines to serve, for tonight and for their updated wine list. “I love you, babe.”
A chorus ofawws rippled through the crowd.
“And finally… all of you. Thank you for coming tonight to celebrate this place. Noosh-e jan!”
Navid let out a whoop, and the place broke into applause. Farzan smiled and waved and turned the mic over to Arya.
“Nice speech,” Arya said. “But you could’ve spent a little longer on your more handsome partner, I think…” He pursed his lips and smiled with his eyes, like he was posing for a photo.
“Nah, Ramin doesn’t like too much attention.”
Arya pretended to be offended, but he couldn’t hold the scowl for long before breaking into a laugh. He grabbed Farzan with one arm, yanked Ramin away from Todd with another, and pulled them all into a hug.
“You guys are the best,” Farzan said over the music.
“You are,” Ramin said.
“Now come on. Let’s celebrate.”
Farzan released his friends, only to find his parents waiting for him. His mom enveloped him in a hug, kissing both cheeks.
“We’re so proud of you, Farzan-joon,” she said. “So proud.”
“And happy for you,” Firouz added. “All we ever wanted is for you to be happy.”
“I know, Baba. I am.”
“Good.”
“Oh! Deb!” Persis shouted, making a beeline for her friend, who was standing next to David’s dad but talking to David’s mom, sharing some joke that made Kathleen laugh so hard it could be heard over the music.
Farzan waved and pressed into the crowd, past Maheen and Tomás, who were swaying Safa to the music; past Navid, who was talking with Gina in a corner; past friends and strangers alike, all crowded in to celebrate.
“Pretty good turnout,” Kyra said.
“I think so, boss.”
Kyra swatted at him as they zigzagged toward the bar.
When they’d gotten their loan squared away—helped by the extra liquidity and collateral Ramin and Arya had been able to offer—finding a general manager had been first on Farzan’s list. To his surprise, Kyra had applied—at David’s urging.
And she was awesome at it. Better than Farzan had ever been. Better than his mom had been, to be honest.
“Here you go, babe.” David handed Farzan a flute of Champagne. “Proud of you.”
He leaned across the bar for a kiss, which Farzan returned. Perhaps a little too enthusiastically, since Kyra started making a retching sound.
“Ugh. You know I took this job to get away from you, right?”
“Mm-hmm.” David passed her a Champagne flute, too. “If you really wanted to get away, you wouldn’t work with my boyfriend.”
“Whatever.” She raised her glass and clinked it with Farzan’s. Her face grew serious. “Thanks. Really. For giving me the chance.”
“Are you kidding?” Farzan laughed. “Thank you for putting up with me.”
Kyra’s smile brightened, but then she gasped. “Hey. Is that who I think it is?”
She pointed at an older white man who’d just walked in the door, wearing a thin scarf despite the June heat.
