46. Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter 46
Risto
A s Leslie and I approached Boricua 2, the red carpet glowed brightly against the Manhattan sidewalk. Red velvet ropes blocked off the space leading up to a selfie wall in the foyer, complete with our new restaurant logo. Flashbulbs crackled and guests queued up for their moment in the spotlight.
Instead of ordering an Uber, we jumped on the subway, where her black dress and my tuxedo barely raised an eyebrow.
I love New York.
Living here these past months was only topped by finding a home and life with Leslie. Sharing this night together, the biggest of my career, filled my heart to near-bursting.
“There he is!” someone yelled as we approached the scene, walking hand in hand.
Ruben stepped forward to greet us.
“You walked?” he asked, eyeing our attire.
“Subway,” I replied with a grin.
He kissed Leslie’s cheek. “Hardly the grand entrance you deserve. We’ll need to work on that. For now, it’s time to shine!”
Urgent cries from reporters stopped Leslie and me nearly every step. We posed, pivoting to show different angles, following photographers’ requests. Some shots with us close, me alone, and the two of us hugging. By the time we made it past the selfie wall, I was exhausted and glad not to be cooking tonight.
In the kitchen, my new staff fired on all cylinders. We’d rehearsed dinner service from start to finish on multiple occasions since the construction ended. There were a few kinks, and we’d luckily caught a few missing ingredients that would’ve been a disaster. The team was as prepared as they could be.
The servers knew the menu.
The chefs were ready.
Boricua 2 was here and officially open.
Staff navigated the capacity crowd, passing appetizers on silver trays. Each diner’s nod of approval sent chills of delight rippling down my back.
Leslie took my hand and pulled me close. “You did it. This is all yours, and I couldn’t be more proud. Your family is looking down and smiling. You feel it, don’t you?”
I did.
Wherever my parents and grandparents were, I knew they were happy for me. Their struggle and sacrifice made me who I was, giving me the confidence to reach this moment. But this night belonged to others as well.
“There you are!” Jose yelled before pulling me into a hug. “This is a dream!”
Freddie stood back, sheepish, so I offered my hand. “This is yours too. Be proud. Both of you. You are as much the heart of Boricua as I am. We did this together, and it’s only the beginning.”
I pulled them aside, freeing Leslie to greet Dot and Gabby.
“Listen,” I said. “Boricua 2 wouldn’t be possible without you both running the restaurant back in Pennsylvania. This may not be the right time, but I’m having papers drawn up to make you each part owners in Boricua. If you don’t want it, I understand. But you should have a financial stake and benefit from all your hard work.”
“For real?” Jose said, his shock apparent.
“I don’t even own my car outright. Now I’ll be an owner in Boricua?” Freddie looked stunned.
“Did the investors agree to this?” Jose asked.
“Boricua is all mine, and now all ours—with Dot, of course. Boricua 2 is a separate business. I made sure of that. You in?”
“Yes. Thank you!” Jose hugged me in, tears glistening in his eyes. “Now there’s an extra reason to celebrate! Come on!”
Jose led the three of us to the bar where we accepted flutes of champagne from the special bottle I’d hidden for this purpose.
“To Boricua!” I cried. “May we always dream big!”