14. Josh
As Andrea and I bid each other goodnight, I can’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. The evening we’ve shared has been nothing short of magical, and I find myself feeling grateful for her enduring presence in my life.
My mind is consumed with thoughts of the future as I make my way back to my apartment. Opening my own restaurant has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. With Andrea’s support, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement coursing through me as I start to write down a plan.
The next day, I decide to share the news with Tanya, knowing that she’ll share in my excitement. As I dial her number, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation building within me, eager to share my plans with my sister.
“Hey, Tanya, it’s Josh,” I say as soon as she picks up, unable to contain my excitement.
“Hey, bro! What’s up?” Tanya’s voice comes through the line, filled with warmth and enthusiasm.
“I’ve got some big news to share with you,” I reply, unable to keep the grin from my face. “I’ve finally decided to open my own restaurant.”
Tanya’s gasp of excitement is music to my ears, and I can’t help but laugh at her reaction. “That’s amazing, Josh! I’m so happy for you!” she exclaims, her voice filled with genuine excitement.
“Thanks, Tanya. I’m so excited,” I say, feeling a surge of pride swell within me. “But that’s not all. I was hoping you could help me with some of the planning.”
“Of course, Josh. I’d be happy to help in any way I can,” Tanya replies eagerly, her voice tinged with excitement.
As we discuss potential themes and menu options for the new establishment, I find myself growing increasingly grateful for Tanya’s support. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement building within me as we brainstorm ideas together.
But amidst the excitement, there’s a nagging doubt that refuses to be ignored.
***
As the morning sunlight streams through my window, I find myself feeling surprisingly well-rested despite staying up way past midnight making plans for my restaurant. I had even texted Andrea some ideas, not wanting to wait to hear her opinion.
I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation building within me. Last night, Andrea and I made plans to check out potential locations for my new restaurant, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
I reach for my phone to check the time, but it buzzes with an incoming call. Glancing at the screen, I see Andrea’s name flashing, and I can’t help but smile.
“Hey, Josh, good morning!” Andrea’s cheerful voice comes through the line, filling me with warmth and excitement.
“Good morning, Andrea. Ready to go check out some potential locations for the restaurant?” I ask, my voice tinged with excitement.
“Absolutely! I looked up a couple of empty spaces around town that might be worth checking out,” Andrea replies eagerly. “I’ll text you the address once we are off the phone.”
I can’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for Andrea’s thoughtfulness, knowing that she’s always looking out for me. “That sounds perfect. I’ll meet you at there in about half an hour,” I say, already starting to gather my things.
“Sounds good! See you soon,” Andrea says before ending the call.
I quickly get dressed and head out the door, eager to get started on our search. As I make my way to the first location, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement building within me. This could be the start of something incredible, and I’m determined to make the most of this opportunity.
When I arrive at the first location, Andrea is already waiting for me, a bright smile on her face. “Hey, Josh! Ready to check this place out?” she asks, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
“Absolutely. Let’s see what we have,” I reply, matching her enthusiasm.
This first place is a cozy little space nestled in the heart of downtown. As we step inside, I can’t help but feel a sense of disappointment wash over me. The kitchen is small and cramped, barely big enough to accommodate the equipment I’ll need to run a successful restaurant.
“I’m not sure about this place. The kitchen seems a bit too small for what I need,” I say, my voice tinged with disappointment.
Andrea nods in agreement, her expression thoughtful. “Yeah, I see what you mean. Let’s check out the next place.”
We head to the second location, and as soon as I step inside, I feel my spirits lift. The space is bright and airy, with plenty of room to accommodate both the kitchen and dining area.
“This place looks promising,” I say, my voice filled with excitement as I take in the surroundings.
Andrea looks around, her smile widening. “I like it. It’s got a lot of potential.”
As we explore the space further, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement building within me. This could be the perfect spot for my new restaurant, a place where I can bring my culinary dreams to life.
But before I can dwell on the possibilities, we are interrupted by an incoming call. Glancing at the screen, I see Tanya’s name flashing, and I smile up at Andrea. “It’s Tanya.”
“Hey, Tanya, what’s up?” I greet her cheerfully, excitement bubbling in my voice.
“Hey, Josh! I heard you’re checking out locations for the restaurant. Mind if I tag along?” Tanya’s voice comes through the line, filled with warmth and enthusiasm.
“Not at all. We’re already at the second location now. I’ll send you the address,” I reply, already typing out a quick message.
A few minutes later, Tanya arrives, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she joins us inside. “This place looks amazing, Josh! I can already picture it filled with happy diners,” she says, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
I can’t help but feel a surge of appreciation for my sister’s support. She has always been there for me, no matter what. “Thanks, Tanya. I’m really excited about the possibilities,” I say sincerely.
As we finish exploring the space together, we discuss potential layouts and design ideas, bouncing suggestions off each other as we go. Andrea offers invaluable input, her keen eye for detail proving to be a valuable asset in our search.
“I think the kitchen should be over here, and we can put the dining area over there,” Andrea suggests, pointing to different areas of the space.
Tanya nods in agreement, her expression thoughtful. “That sounds like a great plan. And you can add some cozy booths along the back wall for a more intimate dining experience,” she suggests, her voice filled with excitement.
I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of bringing our ideas to life, knowing that with Tanya and Andrea by my side, anything is possible.
But amidst the excitement, there’s a nagging thought that refuses to be ignored.
My feelings for Andrea have grown stronger with each passing day, and I can’t help but wonder what the future holds for us. But I fear that pursuing anything beyond a platonic relationship with her would only lead to heartache and complications. I could not bear to lose her friendship if things didn’t work out between us.
And so, I bury my feelings deep within me, vowing to keep them hidden.
***
After our exhilarating exploration of potential locations for my new restaurant, we head to the coffee shop around the corner, eager to dive into the details of planning and budgeting. The possibilities are endless, and I can’t wait to bring our vision to life.
As we settle into the space, Andrea and Tanya pull out their notebooks, ready to jot down ideas and suggestions. I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement as we begin to brainstorm, knowing that with their help, anything is possible.
“So, let’s start with the basics,” Andrea suggests, her voice filled with determination. “You’ll need to budget for things like equipment, furniture, and decor.”
I nod in agreement, already mentally calculating our expenses. “Right. Let’s make a list of everything I’ll need and assign a budget to each item,” I say, reaching for a pen and paper.
Together, we compile a comprehensive list of everything needed for the restaurant—from kitchen equipment to dining furniture to decorative accents. Each item is carefully considered and discussed, with input from all three of us.
“Okay, so for kitchen equipment, you’ll need things like ovens, stoves, refrigerators, and prep tables,” Tanya says, jotting down each item as she speaks.
I nod in agreement, already mentally tallying up the costs. “And don’t forget about smaller items like utensils, pots and pans, and kitchen gadgets,” I add, wanting to ensure that we don’t overlook anything important.
As we continue to brainstorm, the list grows longer and longer—each item accompanied by a rough estimate of its cost. It’s clear that opening a restaurant is no small feat, but with careful planning and budgeting, I know that I can make it happen.
But just as we’re starting to make progress, Andrea’s phone buzzes with an incoming message. Frowning, she checks the screen before turning to me with a concerned expression.
“It’s a group message for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. They want everyone to meet up the night before the ceremony,” she says, her voice tinged with disappointment.
I can’t help but feel a pang of regret at the interruption, knowing that we still have so much to discuss. But I also understand the importance of spending time with the wedding party before the big day.
“It’s okay, Andrea. We can do that,” I say, giving her a reassuring smile. “The wedding is just around the corner, after all.”
Andrea returns my smile, her expression grateful. “Thanks, Josh. I appreciate your doing this with me even though its definitely longer than we expected,” she says sincerely.
Then, we continue to discuss more plans for the restaurant. I can’t help but feel a sense of optimism wash over me. Andrea’s unexpected involvement in the planning process catches me off guard, and I can’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for her support. Despite her busy schedule, she’s been incredibly supportive of my dream, offering invaluable advice and assistance every step of the way.
As we drop Andrea off at her apartment, Tanya slides into the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on me with a knowing expression. I can feel her eyes boring into me, and I can’t help but squirm under her scrutiny.
“So, spill it,” she says, her voice laced with mischief. “I’ve noticed the way you look at Andrea, Josh. You can’t hide it from me.”
I feel a flush creeping up my neck at her directness, my mind racing for a suitable response. “I…I don’t know what you’re talking about, Tanya,” I stammer, my voice betraying my nervousness.
Tanya raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by my feeble attempt at denial. “Please, Josh. I may be blonde, but I’m not blind,” she retorts, her tone playful yet firm.
Before she can say another word. I seize the opportunity to steer the conversation away from my own romantic entanglements, eager to avoid any further scrutiny.
“So, tell me little sis, do you have your eye on anyone? You know, I can sweet talk a person into doing things.”
“Actually, there’s this guy I met recently,” Tanya begins, launching into a detailed account of her latest romantic encounter. I listen attentively, nodding and offering words of encouragement as she shares her story.
As we pull up outside her apartment building, I feel a sense of relief wash over me, grateful for she remained distracted of our earlier conversation.
“Thanks for your support today, Tanya. You are always there for me ,” I say sincerely, giving her a grateful smile.
Tanya returns my smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Anytime, Josh. Just remember, I’m always here to give you a push in the right direction,” she says with a wink, before disappearing into her building.
As I drive away, her words echo in my mind, filling me with a renewed sense of determination.
***
My feelings for Andrea have begun to transcend mere friendship, blossoming into something deeper and more profound than I ever could have imagined. But she’s off-limits, forbidden fruit that I dare not taste. She’s not only my sister’s best friend, but she is also one of my best friends. I cannot imagine the heartache and complications in our group dynamics if things didn’t work out.
But such thoughts are dangerous, a slippery slope that I dare not tread. And so, push the thoughts away, choosing the safe route.
As the day of Jeremy’s wedding approaches, Andrea and I make plans to ride together to the venue. But as we make our way there, disaster strikes.
The car suddenly lurches to a halt, the engine sputtering and wheezing as if in protest. I curse under my breath, my heart sinking as I realize that something is seriously wrong.
“What’s going on?” Andrea asks, her voice tinged with concern as she looks at me for answers.
“I’m not sure,” I reply, my brow furrowed with worry. “But it looks like we’re going to have to pull over and take a look.”
I pop the hood, and we exit the car. Despite all my efforts, I can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong. Frustration builds within me as I realize that we’re going to need professional help.
“I need to call someone for help,” I say, pulling out my phone. “But it’s probably going to take a while for them to get out here.”
Andrea nods understandingly, her expression filled with sympathy. “It’s already late. What are we going to do?” she asks, her voice tinged with concern.
I sigh, feeling a sense of defeat wash over me. “I guess we’re going to have to sleep in the car,” I reply, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice.
Andrea nods in agreement, her gaze filled with determination. “It’s not ideal, but we’ll make do,” she says, her voice filled with resolve.
As we settle into the car for the night, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for Andrea’s presence by my side. Despite the unexpected turn of events, I find myself feeling strangely comforted by her presence, as if she’s a beacon of light in the darkness.
And as we find things to do that will help us pass the time, her presence beside me fills me with a sense of peace and contentment that I haven’t felt in a long time.