Faith. That was something I had not allowed myself to feel in a very long time. I scoffed quietly under my breath. I leaned back in my chair and stared toward the door she had just walked through.
Confidence was one thing, but reality had a way of stripping that away quickly. People often walked into situations like this with enthusiasm and grand ideas, only to retreat the moment they realized what it truly involved.
Part of me assumed the same thing would happen with her.
Once she opened that envelope and saw the numbers, the legal terms, and everything that came with this so-called partnership, I was certain her confidence would begin to crack.
Running a restaurant was not some romantic dream. It was long hours, financial risk, and constant pressure.
I had lived it.
I knew exactly how quickly optimism could fade when reality stepped in.
So I waited.
If she was truly serious about this place, she would prove it soon enough. If she was not, then the whole situation would resolve itself before it even began.
Let’s see how she handles this fifty-fifty partnership.
8
JIYA
Ientered my house holding the contract, curious and frazzled, wondering why the owner had suddenly changed his mind about my proposal three days after I submitted it.
The memory of what had happened after the rejection came rushing back.
When I had walked out of the restaurant after Jack told me the owner had refused my proposal, I went home and stared at my empty hands, tears sliding down my cheeks as the weight of everything bore down on me. With a baby growing inside me, my emotions had been constantly on edge, and I had cried more in those three months than in my entire life. I had just wanted someone to tell me everything would be fine.
Caleb’s face flashed in my mind, and I broke down again.
Then I thought of Patty—her homemade cookies and warm hugs. I started to dial her number but stopped before the call connected because I couldn’t drag her into my problems. She would ask questions I couldn’t answer, especially if my phone was being tapped. Maybe I could visit her instead… after the baby was born.
Over the next two days, I combed through the newspaper, circling every job opening I could find because I had no choice but to keep moving forward. I had survived worse in my life, and I refused to accept defeat now.
After making several calls and marking possible opportunities, I went for a swim at the YMCA. Floating in the pool made my body feel lighter as the tension slowly drained away. For a little while, the water held me up in a way life hadn’t been doing lately.
Then Jack called out of the blue after I dropped Lucas off at school, and my pulse quickened.
Hope stirred in my chest.
Now, as I read through the contract carefully, I noticed that the owner’s initials appeared everywhere, yet his name was nowhere to be found.I tried to decipher the signature, but it revealed nothing. That only deepened the mystery. Why hide something so basic if this was supposed to be a straightforward business arrangement? After a few moments of hesitation, I signed all four copies.
Next, I began making phone calls.
I did not want to use the same expert and designer I had worked with at the Lexington. Too many questions would be asked about my name change and the sudden move. I did not need any more attention than I was already attracting, especially because I was now pregnant, which was something I was still trying to conceal. I had worked too hard to disappear quietly into this new life. The last thing I needed was someone from my old world looking too closely at me and putting pieces together I was trying desperately to keep apart.
The next day, Delia Bobin, a designer, met me in the Tipsy Cow’s parking lot along with restaurant expert Marcus Alan. I shook their hands warmly and welcomed them to the village. We exchanged small talk before walking into the restaurant. Iintroduced them to Jack and handed him the signed copies of the contract.
As we walked around the restaurant discussing ideas, I heard a loud gasp behind me.
I turned around quickly.
It came from Delia. She had just noticed the man sitting in the corner. “Does he come with the restaurant?” she asked me with a playful grin. “Can I give him a makeover too?”
I smiled slightly and glanced toward the man sitting in his usual corner. Beneath his rough exterior, I could not help noticing that he was quite attractive. There was something striking about him despite the unkempt beard, the worn clothes, and the heaviness that always seemed to hang around him. For a brief second, I wondered about him again before shaking my head and forcing myself to focus on the task at hand.
Scanning the restaurant carefully, I mentally noted the amount of work that had to be done. As I explained my ideas to Delia, I told her that I wanted to keep the two pool tables but move them toward the front of the restaurant so that diners could enjoy the view of the water outside.
