Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
Victor
Once I’ve made a decision, I go full throttle. Luckily, I’m with a partner who feels the same. We both work on the restaurant with a passion. It only takes us two months to find the perfect property, not far from the new resort in town owned by Callan and Sasha. The property with perfect beach access makes it so the sand will practically kiss our feet when we walk out the back doors once the building is complete. It couldn’t be more idea. We jump on it. The view is glorious enough to take our breaths away each time we stand on the land.
I’m one hundred percent in, and we signed the papers on it last week. I thought this would be our hardest part. I was wrong. I was very wrong. It’s a good thing Nik’s a good sport because this project might give us a few grey hairs.
It turns out that opening a restaurant isn’t as easy as either of us thought, not with all of the regulations and government interference. Why would they want to make it hard to feed our neighbors? Because they always want their piece of the pie. Asshats.
Our first hurdle comes up... zoning issues. Nikki’s sitting across the kitchen table from me, half her hair pulled out as she grumbles at all of the rules, the papers saying we’re planning an invasion. She has a fierce look in her eyes, the one she gets when she’s determined to win at all costs. The zoning commission has declared war, and she isn’t afraid of firing the first shot.
“Okay,” she says as she taps her pen against a document. “They want a coastal impact assessment before we can break ground. This could take weeks or even months.”
I let out a groan. We’re both more than ready to begin. “I don’t want this restaurant to open in ten years, I want it now.”
Nikki sighs as she leans back in her chair. “I know, but we don’t have any choice but to jump through their hoops. That’s not all, though. We’re also having an issue with parking spaces. They say there needs to be a minimum of twenty spaces with the size we’re planning. I explained to them most of the citizens here in town walk, bicycle, or take golf carts, but they’re fighting us on this.”
“This is insane. These people with the rules don’t even live here. They don’t know how our community works,” I say.
“That’s freaking bureaucracy. They like to make rules while keeping their heads up their asses.”
“Where are we supposed to get the room for more spaces?” I ask.
She laughs. “We can put them on the roof.” I shake my head. I’m glad she’s dealing with this because it isn’t my strong suit. If there’s a battle I can fight it, but I don’t know the right words to put on paper to get done what needs to be done.
We spend the next week going back and forth with various agencies. Each new letter that comes in makes me want to pound my head against the wall. Nikki keeps calm and handles most of it. It’s a good thing, too, because I’d probably start throwing punches, and then we’d never get to open our dream place.
One afternoon we’re in the county office waiting to speak to the clerk and tapping our feet impatiently. I hate this building. It smells like rotten feet, stale coffee, and sweat. The fluorescent lights make everything look far too depressing as well. I’m close to snapping.
Chief Mitchel walks in, shocking me. He’s a long way from home. He notices us and moves over. “You two look like you’re ready to start a brawl,” he says with a chuckle. “What’s happening?”
“We’re having zoning nightmares,” Nikki grumbles. “Each time we start to think we’re making progress, something else happens. We can’t catch a dang break.”
Mitchel laughs. “I’ve dealt with these guys before. Bureaucracy at its finest. If you need some help, let me know. I’ve got a buddy who owes me a few favors as I did save his ass... twice.”
Nikki’s eyes light up. “Really? You think you can put in a good word for us and make this move a little faster?” She’s pleading with him.
“Consider it done,” Mitchel says with a wink before he moves away.
Nikki looks at me and we both grin. “There we go,” I tell her. “We’re making progress. We have the chief in our corner.”
“Maybe that’s how this all works. It’s not about what you know, but who you know,” she says. She doesn’t seem pleased by this, but if that’s how the system works, she’ll utilize it. So will I without any regret. “I’m going to start talking to everyone we know and see who has connections.”
“I will as well,” I tell her.
We leave the courthouse to make new plans. We’re in much better moods as we leave than when we walked in. This is one more advantage of living in a great community. Our neighbors all have our backs, just as we have theirs.
The next few weeks are a blur of meetings, phone calls, and late nights. Nikki and I are practically living on coffee, takeout food... which is shameful for two cooks... and a table full of paperwork. I’m going to need glasses by the time this is over because my eyes are crossing and growing blurrier by the second.
One night as we’re sitting on the floor surrounded by documents with an empty bottle of wine, and another open beside us, Nikki rubs her temples. We’re both exhausted. I lean over and rub her back, so appreciative of her. I couldn’t do this without her. I most likely would’ve thrown up my hands by now.
“I swear if one more person tells us we need another permit, I’m going to lose it,” she says.
Somehow I manage to not let out a chuckle. I keep rubbing her back. “We’ll make it through this because we have each other. I’m sure glad you decided to partner with me, though, because I wouldn’t have made it through this process without you. I’d surely have knocked someone out by now.”
Her expression softens. “I know what you mean. If I was alone on this, I might give up too, but knowing we’re a team keeps me going. I never comprehended how hard this would be. It will all be worth it in the end.”
“Someday we’ll look back on this and laugh,” I suggest.
“I don’t think so. We might look back on this and forget all about it because we’re serious alcoholics because of it,” she says as she lifts her wine glass.
I decide we’re done with work for now. I push the papers aside and pull her into my lap. She wraps her arms around me and we have no more thoughts of permits for the rest of the night.
A few days later as we sit at the Mermaid Café, Amelia brings out our usual. She gives us a concerned look. “You two look like you could use something stronger than coffee,” she jokes.
“If you have a secret stash of whiskey in the back you can add a splash to our coffee,” I say, only half-joking.
“I’ll see what I can do,” she says with a wink. She then leans in as if she’s sharing a secret. “You do realize Mrs. Hadworth at the mayor’s office is sweet on you, Victor. I’m sure you could charm her into helping you out.” She winks. Nikki laughs as she claps her hands.
“That’s brilliant, Amelia,” Nikki says.
“Are you trying to pimp me out?” I ask them both with horror.
“I’ll pimp this entire town out if it gets us what we need to begin construction,” she says with no remorse.
I shake my head. “It wouldn’t bother you to have me flirting with another woman?” I don’t know how I feel about this.
“You’re mine,” Nikki says with surety. “I’m not even a little worried. You go ahead and flirt away.” She pauses and looks at me with doubt. “Though, I don’t know if it will do any good. I’m not sure if even your charm can break through all of this damn red tape.”
This makes my back straighten. “Challenge accepted,” I say. She beams at me. I think she tricked me into flirting for a stamp of approval. I’m not sure how much lower we’re going to have to sink at this point.
After what feels like an eternity, another break comes our way. We’re at Robert’s when he walks up and hands us a beer. “Heard you two are still having trouble with the zoning board.”
“We’re having trouble with everything,” I say.
Robert laughs. “I remember those days. I kept notes and found the loopholes. I’ve already made some calls and have been assured they’re going to speed this up,” he says.
“Robert, it’s taking all I have to not leap across this counter and kiss you,” Nikki says.
I shoot Robert a glare when he beams at Nikki. “Go ahead, beautiful,” he tells her. I know he’s doing this to get a rise out of me. I shouldn’t show a reaction, but if she so much as twitches I’m laying my friend out. No one’s lips are touching hers ever again. They’re mine.
Lucky for Robert she doesn’t do this. We have a few beers then make our way home. Things finally start going our way and move a little faster. With so many people in our corner, making calls, and calling in favors, we start getting approvals.
They tried telling us we need to reroute the plumbing for the second time, but with some persistence and a few well-placed calls, another box gets checked off. More hurdles are thrown our way, but we manage to leap over each and every one.
Our final approval comes in, and finally we’re able to break ground. We go back and forth on our plans, butting heads once in a while over things we want or don’t want, but we always come to a compromise.
We’re making the final changes to the interior one night since the outer part of the building is moving along nicely. Nikki glares at me as we try to figure out the most important part of the place... the kitchen.
“I really think it needs to be open so our guests can see us cooking. It’s interactive and fun,” she says.
“But a place without an inviting bar is sure to fail. We won’t have room for both,” I say again.
“I don’t see why we can’t have both,” she says as she looks at the design again. I can see she’s looking at where things can be moved. She’s been phenomenal at this so far, and I have no doubt she’ll figure it out.
The designer sitting with us hasn’t said a word so far. His head has simply gone back and forth between us as if watching a prize fight. I guess he sort of is. It never gets out of hand, though.
“What do you think, Ashton?” Nikki asks.
“I think we can do both,” he says. We both smile at him.
“That’s settled then. One more obstacle down,” Nikki says. We all lean in a little closer. In two more hours we’re done with our final design. We have an open kitchen, a large bar, a spacious floor, and huge doors leading to our favorite part, the huge outdoor seating area that will have portable heaters, romantic lighting, and make people feel like they’re on vacation in the Bahamas. This is truly happening.
The next few weeks we finalize the last details, make compromises, and find ways to blend our styles. There are disagreements, but nothing serious. It’s mostly colors and materials and we always find a way to work it out.
One evening, after another long day of meetings, we sit on the porch of our home, doing our favorite activity of snuggling while looking out at the ocean. There’s nothing I like more than to end my day with Nikki in my arms.
Now that the hard part of planning is over, all that’s on my mind is when and how I’m going to propose to this woman. It’s constantly ringing in my ears. We’re already intertwined, and it only makes sense for her to become my wife.
I don’t want to do it because it’s the next logical step. I’m going to do it because I can’t imagine my life without her. We’re already building a life together. I want it to be forever. I won’t let her go.
I’ll find the right time. I want to do it when we’re relaxed, when the world is at our fingertips. Our dreams are all coming true, and Nikki becoming my wife will be the cherry on top of a perfectly made ice cream sundae. Soon. It’s going to happen very soon.