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“I still think she should marry all of us,” Orzo grumbles.

Reuben shrugs a shoulder, but I can feel the smug energy radiating.

“I won fair and square,” he reminds Orzo for the gazillionth time.

While in my heart we would all be married, legally, it could only be one. And the game of rock-paper-scissors to decide that had been brutal.

“I’m going to get the law changed,” Orzo promises.

And I don’t doubt him.

Our lives are not normal.

They’re a mix of insanity, a touch of possible luck, and an ounce of bad choices.

I lean into Orzo, and below the table, my knees find Kale and Reuben.

“I love you. All of you,” I exhale warmly.

“I love you too,” Kale offers with a bright smile.

“I do as well.” Reuben takes the last bite of food, wiping his plate clean.

Orzo leans and nips at my ear. “I love you, Little Chef.”

And then the men are up from the booth, cleaning up our plates and sterilizing the kitchen.

This entire journey began with the hope of starting a small business as a chef, and now I have done just that.

While this restaurant was to lure our prey, it was also fulfilling a lifelong dream.

And my men were exceeding my wildest imagination.

I am happy.

“Cinnamon! They’re putting your knives in the dishwasher!” Orzo yells out.

I am safe.

“Don’t lie to her! That was you!” Kale shouts back.

I am loved.

“Break it up! It’s late, and we need to get home,” Reuben interjects.

The world was never out to get me, I just needed to allow the best parts into my life.

Epilogue

Cinnamon

Two Years Later

The restaurant is bustling as everyone moves in the kitchen like a well-oiled machine.

Standing off to the side, I watch it play out. While this is still my restaurant, I had taken a more hands off approach in the last year.

“Table thirteen needs scallops—”