Chapter 2
CHAPTER
TWO
“Ihope you brought your appetite,” Raven said as I entered her kitchen.
With wide eyes, I marveled at the spread she prepared for today. Licking my lips, I took in the serving trays filled with lox bagels, crab benedicts, a fresh kale salad, and an assortment of fruits. Continuing my perusal, I moaned as the aromas from her creole shrimp and grits filled my nose.
“Ray. Is all this food for us?”
The deep rumbling in my belly caused warmth to spread in my cheeks.
My sister Raven had outdone herself, per usual.
A warm smile covered her face. I envied the tan on her sienna-colored skin.
Since she and her wife Sadé came back from their honeymoon, Raven had been glowing.
And not just because she’d spent five days in the Caribbean with the love of her life, but because she was genuinely happy.
“Yes. Not cooking, or doing anything else for that matter, left me feeling rejuvenated.” She shook her head.
“I’m also filled with so much gratitude lately.
Sadé’s positive practices rubbed off on me…
Anyway, this is just a small way to express my appreciation for being the best Maid of Honor ever.
I know preparing for my wedding took up a lot of your time.
This is our way of showing you that your loyalty and selflessness don’t go unnoticed. ”
She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a timely hug. The last year had been so exhausting. Juggling her wedding, renovating a restaurant, and studying to become a master sommelier spread me thinner than silk.
Tears misted my eyes as she slowly released me. “Thanks, Ray.”
“And after this, I’ll do your brows and lashes.”
I giggled, running my index finger over my eyebrow. “I’m past due for a self-care day.”
She handed me a round, navy plate with gold trimming, urging me to eat. I’d always loved Raven’s style. The modern, art deco style in her home had been the inspiration for my restaurant, down to the unique dining ware.
“Don’t worry. I got you, princesa,” she said with a wink.
I rolled my eyes at her. My family knew how much I hated that nickname, especially since they were the reason I was so “spoiled.” Being the youngest of three had its perks.
Raven and Starling never let me want for anything, and I made sure they felt the same way.
Our closeness had been my anchor through all the chaos last year.
After putting a little bit of everything on my plate, I took a seat at the table.
I smiled at the centerpiece, a large bulbous vase holding their bouquets.
Their decision to use high-quality faux arrangements was a last-minute decision, but it worked out.
Now, they’d have a reminder of their union every day.
Raven was all smiles as she joined me at the table.
“So, what have you been up to?”
With a shrug, I said, “Studying, working with Adrienne as needed, preparing for B&B’s opening, and meeting with my study group to study some more.”
The mundanity of my life was nearly unbearable.
Saying it aloud really confirmed how boring I'd become. Since failing my master sommelier exam last year, I’d been obsessed with redemption.
Failing the test cost me thousands of dollars.
I had to push back the opening of B&B, which had me shelling out unnecessary money for a mortgage.
The cost of signing up for another study program in addition to paying for the exam was another couple thousand dollars.
If I had stayed focused on passing the exam and not chasing my ex-boyfriend, I would’ve been on track with my five-year plan.
Now, the goals I should’ve accomplished in five years had been pushed back by another two.
I had no choice but to shut out all distractions, especially men.
I vowed to never let another man get me so caught up that I lost myself.
Raven’s sigh snapped me from my thoughts. “Sounds like this breakfast was necessary.”
Seconds later, Sadé’s footsteps could be heard as she ascended the stairs. Once she reached the top, she showed us bottles of champagne. “I’m back with the goods.”
Hanging from her lip was a joint, making me chuckle.
Raven and Sadé knew how to have a good time.
I watched as my sister hurried over to Sadé, taking a bottle from her hand to open. Sadé placed the joint on the kitchen counter near the crème br?lée Raven prepared for dessert.
“To the best Maid of Honor a sister could ask for.” Raven popped the cork and shrieked as the nectar bubbled over and spilled onto their floor. I bowed my head, heat filling my cheeks from the outpour of love from my sister.
“Thank you,” I said while accepting a glass. We waited for Sadé to make her plate before eating. “So tell me about the trip. How was Anguilla?”
Sadé grabbed Raven’s hand, both smiling as Raven replied, “It was beautiful. We hope to go back soon.”
“I’ll show you the pictures later,” Sadé said, still looking at Raven.
I nodded, then continued eating.
“Drink up, Rob. Today’s theme is bottomless.” My sister held up the bottle before refilling her half-full flute.
After swallowing my food, I washed it down with a sip of champs. “I can’t turn up today. I have plans later on.”
“Plans?” Raven sounded offended. “Don’t make studying an excuse to kick us to the curb.”
“Actually, I'm having a… small tasting at B&B.”
“And we weren’t invited? Who’s tasting the food?”
I knew my sister would feign offense for not being invited to this tasting.
Although she didn’t follow the same path as our parents by becoming a chef and restaurateur, she still had the palate of a food critic.
I valued her opinion and envied the ways she could dissect a dish and analyze its flavors, but today’s mission was different.
“Nadir,” I chirped, annoyed by the fluttering in my stomach. Sadé snorting at my response didn’t help as heat flooded my cheeks. “He knows what people in Roseville like. If I can't impress him, I’ll need to go back to the drawing board.”
I really needed someone to help me finalize the menu.
When I originally drafted it, I was a bit ambitious.
I wanted to stay true to the vibe of a traditional wine bar while using my family's recipes.
Since Nadir was a foodie, and a Roseville native, I figured he could help me narrow down the options.
“I don’t know. Sounds like foreplay to me,” Sadé said after wiping her mouth. “Just you, him, and charcuterie boards?” She covered her mouth, muffling a laugh. “We need to do that, honeybee.”
“Right,” Raven drawled. “You didn’t tell me things finally progressed between y’all?”
My eyebrows met and my nose wrinkled. “What? We’re just friends. He’s doing it as a favor.”
Raven and Sadé looked at each other and laughed. My cheeks were on fire as I watched them. Once their laughter subsided, Raven continued eating.
“Nadir is a cool guy,” Sadé told me while nodding. “He shows us love every time we visit Ray’s.”
“Yeah. He’s a sweetheart,” I mused.
The chortles coming from Raven had me hiking a brow. “Do you hear the way your voice changes when you talk about him? It’s too cute.”
“I’m not sure how we got here.” I tilted my head, not knowing where this conversion was going. “So… Next topic.”
I was well aware that Nadir and I had chemistry. It was one of the many reasons we were so close. The bond we’d formed over the last two years had been the safety net needed to navigate an unexpected breakup.
When Terrance and I had our falling out and eventual break up, Nadir was there for me.
He gave me the space to be sad, cry, and complain, unlike my siblings.
Heartbreak wasn’t an easy thing to navigate while juggling a million other things.
Nadir’s understanding and care during that time opened my eyes to what real friendship meant.
Months later, the tables turned, and I was his anchor when Vanessa moved.
I loved the space we were in and treasured our friendship.
I had no interest in complicating things or diverting from my plan.
Nadir was enjoying his bachelorhood and had no interest in settling down.
We were on the same page, as always. I didn’t need unwelcomed opinions clouding my judgment, potentially ruining a vital relationship.
My thoughts stopped when Raven started talking about their honeymoon. A sigh escaped my lips and I leaned back into my seat.
When we finished stuffing our faces, Sadé and I went to the rooftop of their place while Raven plated dessert.
As I settled into the oversized lounge chair, I admired the view.
Their home was nestled between Main Street and Winston Boulevard, Roseville’s crown jewels.
From their rooftop, you could see the shopping center, home to boutiques, the town’s movie theater, and a sundry of restaurants.
Near the end of the shopping center, at the corner, where the parking garage and mall met, lived my restaurant, Brie & Bordeaux.
“How you feeling about the test?” Sadé asked, passing me the joint.
I inhaled the fragrant herbs, then exhaled slowly. “Honestly, I feel good this time around. I’m not stressed out like before. My sole focus is on the exam and nothing else.”
Peering at the joint, I smiled because it had successfully calmed my racing mind. I didn’t indulge in my former vice often, but with my exam around the corner, I did so every once in a while.
“I can tell you’re in a better headspace,” Sadé noted. “There’s no doubt you won’t pass this time.”
“Aw, thanks, DaeDae.”
She nodded. “Still on track to open this summer?”
“Yup. Even if I don’t pass, I’m still moving forward with the opening. Sometimes I regret waiting this long. I should’ve really thought through that decision. Instead of freaking out once I got the results.”