“Oh thank God,” I snap. “It’s the wine.”
Taking off in a mad sprint to the back door, I meet the delivery man to sign off on the shipment. The staff scurry around me in a frantic hustle and bustle.
I’ve been up since six o’clock in the morning, which wasn’t much after such a late, dramatic evening. I’ve been running onadrenaline and dirty chai lattes all day, and honestly, I love every damn second.
Archer and Julian have been by my side through it all. Through every hiccup and every celebration. After six months of blood, sweat, and tears (literally), we’re actually opening my restaurant tonight.
It still feels like a dream.
The doors open in an hour, and I’ve been running around frantically since I got here this morning. Now, standing in the front of the restaurant, I walk by each table, my fingers gently running over the candles and tapestry, letting this dream become a reality.
“Chef,” a soft voice says from behind me, and I turn to find Archer watching me. “You okay?”
Julian steps to his side, both of them looking fiercely handsome, even with their black eyes and bruises.
They are not perfect, and they never were. That was all part of my fantasy when I looked at them and saw nothing but fancy suits and dollar signs. But now that I’ve fallen so deeply in love with them, I see the men underneath. The flawsandthe charm.
I see Julian’s insecurities, even still. It was never a weakness, but his ability to let us in regardless is a strength.
I see Archer’s demons. I never knew someone with so much could feel so empty, and I intend to prove to him every day just how rich life can be.
Slowly, I nod. “Yeah, just doing one last walk-through.”
“Do you want to be alone?” Julian asks.
I smile to myself as tears moisten my eyes. “No.” I reach out a hand to them.
With that, they come to me, one on each side, holding me close in this magical, life-changing moment. No one speaks for a while as we all embrace and absorb what all this means. It’s an accomplishment. It means we took the challenges life threw at us and our relationship, and we fought for what we want. We fought for each other.
This restaurant is a symbol of that.
“It feels a little obvious, but I have to say it anyway. This wouldn’t have been possible without you guys,” I say, glancing up at each of them.
“That’s not true,” Archer says with conviction. “Sure, it might not have happened here and now, but it would have happened someday, Freya.”
His belief in me flickers with warmth in my heart like a steady flame.
“We invested inyou,” Julian says.
In some ways, I realize I invested in them too. No one will say it, mostly because that would be incredibly cheesy, but we’re all thinking it. We invest in each other. We support one another because we believe in our hearts that the world is better for it.
“You ready to give your team that inspiring speech?” Julian asks.
“I suck at speeches,” I reply, hiding my face in Archer’s chest.
“This is your moment, Chef. Take it all in.”
With that, I head to the kitchen where my all-female staff is working, the energy buzzing with hope and purpose. Most of them are people I’ve worked with before, women who I wish I could have taken with me when I left those toxic kitchens. Even if it kills me, I’m going to prove to them that it doesn’t have to be that way. They no longer have to endure belittling behavior in the name of food and passion.
Not in my kitchen.
“If I could have your attention for a moment,” I announce.
They all quickly place their tools down, stopping in their tracks to turn and face me. I’m met with smiles and expressions of excitement.
I realize as I stare into all their eyes that they too believe in me, just like my loyal boyfriends. These people aren’t here for just a job. They’re here to be a part of something special.
More tears prick my eyes.
