Chapter 27 #2
I pressed my thumb against the center of her lips. “I’m your family. The Westons are your family. And you can go back to the assisted living facility anytime you want and visit that family.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“If you find a space that already has a kitchen, you can be up and running in a few months.”
Her mouth hung open. “Months?”
I chuckled. “Maybe even less depending on the building. If there’s no kitchen, that’s going to be an expensive build-out and a much longer timeline.”
Her hands went to the top of her head. “My mind is spinning.” She was sucking on her bottom lip. “I probably have enough to cover the rent for a few months, depending how much it is. But anything beyond that, I don’t have. Would I take out a loan? Or—”
“I will help you figure it all out. I’ve done this hundreds of times. I could do it with my eyes closed. You have nothing to worry about.”
She found my hand and linked our fingers. “But do you have the time? Walker, you’re running a Weston empire, you’re full-time at Charred—”
“My days at Charred are numbered. We both know that.”
She nodded. “I don’t want to be the reason you leave. I don’t want to be the person who pulls you away.”
“Baby, I was gone before I even met you. I just never yanked out that fucking plug. And like I’ve told you, you’re the only reason I’ve stayed.
” I leaned forward and kissed her. “I want you to sleep on this idea. If you wake up tomorrow morning and still feel the same, we’ll get in touch with Jenner Dalton, my family’s attorney.
We’ll give him the parameters, and he’ll find a space that fits what you’re looking for. ”
She was holding her chest. “I feel like I can’t breathe—in a good way, I mean.”
“That’s what I want to hear.” I kissed her again.
As I was pulling my lips away, my phone rang from the nightstand. These days, it was always on silent unless someone from my Favorites list happened to call. I lifted it off the wood and checked the screen, sending the call to voicemail.
“Colson.” I shook my head.
“You don’t want to talk to him?”
I let out a loud breath. “I want to talk about this dream of yours. What I don’t want to do today is fulfill any of the family’s favors.
I don’t want to be nagged about something they need—because they always fucking need something.
” I squeezed her fingers. “I want to be right here. Present. With you.”
Before I even returned the phone to the nightstand, it vibrated in my hand, a text coming through my notifications.
Colson
I have one hell of a fucking story for you. You’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you. CALL ME.
I huffed. “Apparently, he has a hell of a story to tell me.” I put the phone away.
“You know, it’s funny, now that I’ve met all your siblings, since they’ve either popped into Charred to see you or they’ve eaten there, Colson is the one who intrigues me the most. Well, aside from Eden, that is.
That woman is beyond interesting. But Colson …
I don’t know. I get the feeling there’s just more to that man than he lets on.
Like there are things under the surface, and I want to know what they are. ” She paused. “Ya know?”
I chuckled. “As far as Eden is concerned, she has endless layers, and every one is interesting. What kind of vibes are you picking up from Colson?”
With her legs still crossed, she rocked over the bed. “You know the ones who come across all innocent, but deep down, there’s this wildness to them? Maybe even a scandalous side? That’s the vibe I pick up from him.”
“Baby, you fucking nailed that one.” I scratched my chest, knowing I was about to open a whole can of shit. “Back in the day, I used to go to sex clubs with Colson.”
Her eyes grew larger than I’d ever seen them. “What?”
“Yeah. It was his thing. I just went along for the ride.”
“A … ride?”
I laughed. “I guess I could have picked a better word. But, yes, that whole period of my life … was one fucked-up ride.”
Me
I’ve got a project for you. It’s not going to be easy. Not like any of the Weston shit, I mean. But if anyone can do this, it’s you.
Jenner
I’m all ears.
Me
I’ll call you in a little while to discuss what we’re looking for. We, as in Alivia, my girl, and me.
Jenner
It’s about fucking time, brother. Looking forward to that call.
Jenner
Paperwork has been submitted to the landlord.
Me
Should you reach out to the landlord of Option B just in case Option A falls through?
Jenner
I don’t think we need to. With your name co-signed on that lease, no landlord is going to say no. You’re going to get the property, Walker. There’s no doubt in my mind.
Me
I should have just bought the fucking place.
Jenner
After meeting Alivia and spending a little time with her, I’d say she wouldn’t want you to do that.
Me
That’s why I didn’t.
Jenner
After her concept proves to be successful—and I know it will—then you can throw the owner an offer on the entire commercial strip. Rental income could help fund her business.
Me
I like how you think.
Jenner
Landlord signed. Congratulations, you two. You have yourself a restaurant.
Alivia
AHHHHH. YESSSSSS.
Me
Fuck yes.
Alivia
I can’t thank you enough, Jenner. You’ve been amazing. Seriously, best message ever.
Jenner
Happy to help out, always.
Alivia
If we weren’t at work, I’d be jumping into your arms. Screaming more AHHHHHHS!
Me
Screaming?
Alivia
I’ll make one exception to my rule, and that’s this moment right now.
Me
You’d better do just that the second everyone clears out of Charred tonight.
Alivia
Deal.
Me
Baby, I’m so happy about Jenner’s news.
Alivia
We did it. We got it. It’s everything we want, and it’s perfect.
Me
I can’t wait to see your plans come to fruition.
Alivia
Our plans. REMEMBER that.
“Shit, I’d better watch my back, or this one’s going to take over my position,” Keith said, nodding toward tonight’s line cook.
Who just happened to be my girl.
Since Keith’s eyes weren’t on me, I could watch Alivia. Every time I glanced in her direction, where she was prepping on the other side of the kitchen, I was blown the fuck away.
She had discussed the available position with me first before she went to Rachel to apply. Rachel had then asked my opinion. She didn’t know Alivia and I were in a relationship or living together—no one did. In her eyes and mine, Alivia was treated like any other employee.
With my consent, Rachel interviewed her, I did too, and we had Alivia complete an in-kitchen test.
No surprise, Alivia had fucking crushed it.
Now, every shift was preparing her for the business she was soon going to open.
“I think you’re right,” I said over my shoulder to Keith, where he stood at the gas range. Even though Alivia had no intentions of staying here long enough to be awarded a role similar to his, I didn’t want to let on that I knew her plans. “I bet she makes better scallops than you.”
“There’s no question in my mind.” Keith laughed.
And as I continued to eye the woman I was so fucking in love with, there was no question in my mind that she could handle the lead chef role at Alivia’s.