Chapter Twenty
Nick
We delayed the tour of my new restaurant until this morning. Everyone was tired from the excursion to the market, plus I was exhausted after wrangling Bethany’s heavy armoire into Skip’s truck and then into the restaurant’s back room. That thing weighs a ton. I hope she can return it to its previous glory.
Mom and I pull up and Bethany is waiting for us. Since the inn is only a few blocks from the restaurant she insisted that she walk, saving me a side-trip. Her face lights up when she sees me and a zing of happiness pierces my heart.
I leap from the car, and we rush towards each other, meeting in a Hollywood-worthy embrace. Like two lovers who haven’t seen each other for years, I pepper kisses along her jaw, then our lips meet in the sweetest kiss I’ve ever experienced. When I gaze into Bethany’s eyes, happiness reflects back at me and that’s when I know. I’ve fallen in love with this woman. Time stands still for a few seconds as I revel at this insight.
“Your nose is cold. How long have you been standing here?” I blurt after I give her another kiss.
She giggles and rubs her nose across my collar to warm it up. “Not long. I tried to peek in the windows, but someone covered them with paper.”
“There won’t be any anticipation if everyone can see the construction progress.”
Rubbing my cheek, she says in the breathy voice, “Anticipation is good.”
Tingles dance up the back of my neck and the world narrows to the two of us, not that I’ve been paying attention to anything other than my girlfriend since I got out of the car.
“Good morning, Francine,” Bethany says as she looks over my shoulder from her position snuggled in my arms.
I cringe. My mom has been standing there the whole time. I brace for the snide comment that’s sure to burst from her lips.
“Good morning, Bethany,” she replies in a friendly voice.
Curious at her amicable response, I turn my head. A bemused expression crosses my mom’s face and the corners of her mouth inch up. Huh? Is she smiling?
Clearing my throat, I gently disentangle myself from Bethany. “Well, shall we go inside?” I pull the key from my pocket, unlock the front door, and usher the two most important ladies in my life into my passion project.
For the next several minutes I walk them around the dusty space, pointing out all the in-progress, partially completed tasks.
“I know it doesn’t look like much right now,” I say standing in front of the base for the bar. “We’re installing a full wrap-around bar like one of those found in old-time taverns. It’ll have a sleek walnut counter and there will be shelves on the back wall with rows of bottles of the finest alcohol.”
“I can’t wait to see the brass railing you described to Henri,” Bethany adds.
I grin, happy that she was paying attention to my conversation with the Frenchman. “The dining room is over there with room for twenty tables.” Pointing towards the back, I say, “We plan to put a cozy patio outside those double doors where diners and bar patrons can enjoy exterior seating and stunning views of Breakneck Ridge. We’ll even have those floor standing patio heaters for when the weather turns chilly.” My voice rises with excitement as I describe our plans.
“Everything sounds lovely, dear. Although I can’t exactly picture it with all the dust.”
Mom made a joke? Bethany catches my eye and winks.
“True. That’s another reason I keep the windows covered.”
Moving along to the kitchen, I fling my hand towards the latest issue. “Is there ever a remodeling project that goes smoothly? Here’s the connection to the gas line.” I squat in front of the capped off pipe and point to it. Standing, I then point to the other side of the room. “And there’s the gas stove.”
“Oh no!” my mom says.
Bethany’s brows crease. “Didn’t the person who laid out the appliances notice that?”
I chuckle despite my frustration. “Apparently not.”
We end the tour on a high note when I show them my pride and joy, the twenty-foot long, gleaming stainless-steel countertop that forms the prep area.
“These are the prep stations. We’ll be able to efficiently process up to six orders at once, so hopefully the kitchen never gets backed up, even when we have a full dining room. I want the experience here to not only offer amazing food, but also amazing service.”
“I’m so proud of you, son,” Mom says and Bethany mouths, “Me, too.”
“Thanks. With the remodeling hiccups, some days I question my sanity about embarking on this venture.”
The women give me empathetic looks.
“So, I’m curious about this armoire I’ve heard so much about. May I see it?” Mom asks.
Bethany’s jaw drops as a stunned expression crosses her face. She’s as surprised as I am that my mom is taking interest in her project.
“Of course. Follow me.” I lead them into the back room and remove the tarp covering the massive piece of furniture.
“Oh! It’s green?” My mom squeaks as she squints at the ugly monstrosity.
Bethany and I exchange looks.
“Don’t you like this lovely shade of green?” my girlfriend asks. Her eyes blink innocently at Mom as she waits for her reply.
“Um, well, it certainly makes the piece stand out.”
Mom’s trying her best to be polite but not doing a very convincing job of it. I suppress my laughter.
“You won’t hurt my feelings. What do you really think of the color?”
“It looks like the Jolly Green Giant.”
Bethany and I howl at Mom’s honesty.
“Your son said the same thing, only he referred to it as the Hulk.”
Mom joins into our laughter as we all stare at the massive piece of furniture.
Bethany takes Mom’s hand and pulls her closer to the armoire. “But it won’t be this horrible shade of green when I’m done with it.” Bethany shows my mom the interior wood, the high-quality drawer, and she gushes over how much storage the piece provides. I watch as the women commiserate and bond over never having enough closet space.
“Do you have photos of the pieces you’ve restored?” Mom asks.
My girlfriend whips her phone out of her pocket. “I do.” She scrolls the screen while Mom and I look over her shoulder. “Here’s the before picture of the dresser. And here’s the after.”
Mom gasps. “It’s gorgeous!”
“Thank you.” Bethany taps on another photo. “I think this is my best effort so far. This dining table was in bad shape, but I turned it into this.” The table looks brand new.
“You are so talented,” I say in awe.
Bethany blushes. “YouTube videos really help.”
Even though we have an audience, I can’t resist pulling Bethany into another hug and giving her a kiss. She’s an intriguing and talented woman and I hope my mom sees that now. We lose ourselves in the kiss until my mom clears her throat. Bethany blushes as we spring apart.
“I owe you an apology. Both of you.”
My jaw drops. Bethany looks equally as surprised.
Nervously wringing her hands, my mom continues, “I’ve been trying to break you two up. It wasn’t just a coincidence that I arrived this weekend.” She extends her hand and squeezes my upper arm. “When you mentioned you had met someone else, I came here as soon as possible hoping to get you back together with Erica.”
“But Mom—”
She cuts me off. “I know. That was a silly plan. Seeing you two together, I realize that you’re perfect for each other.” Her eyes bore into mine. “Nicholas, I never saw you look at Erica the way you look at Bethany.”
Bethany blinks back tears. “I thought you hated me.” Her voice cracks with emotion.
My mom swivels towards my girlfriend. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t even give you a chance.” She steps closer to Bethany. “You’re a lovely woman and I’m so impressed with you. A kindergarten teacher and a furniture refinisher? That’s quite a combination.”
The women hug and I join them. The three of us laugh and hug for a few seconds. I even wipe a tear.
“Is anyone hungry?” I ask a few seconds later.
“What do you have in mind?” Bethany asks.
“How about we go back to my condo, and I whip up something.”
My mom makes a request, “I’d like you to make that scrumptious low-fat fettucine that I love.”
“That sounds great,” Bethany adds.
Putting an arm around each woman, I steer them towards the front door. “Your wish is my command.”
We leave the restaurant in a totally different mindset than when we entered. My mom has accepted Bethany and I realized that I’m in love with Bethany. That’s a win-win as far as I’m concerned.