But what if it was only in my head?
“What an awfully long pause,” Jack said. “Have you already started thinking about it?”
I laughed nervously, shaking my head. “I don’t know if she wants to… and I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Just like you thought it wasn’t a good idea for her to co-run the restaurant?”
I sighed.
After paying my bill, I waved to Jiya to let her know I was leaving.
She walked over.“How’s it going?” she asked, giving me a quick peck on the cheek.
My heart reacted instantly.
“It’s alright,” I said. “I’m going to break up with Stephanie.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she replied gently, patting my hand. “I’m sure the right woman is just around the corner.”
The simple touch sent a warm rush through me that I tried very hard not to show on my face.
Behind her, Jack shot me a look that said,I told you so.
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “I’m sure.” Then I pulled out ten dollars. “Could you do me a favour?”
She nodded.
“Put this under Lucas’s pillow tonight.”
She frowned, confused, until I told her about our conversation earlier.
She laughed. “Great. Now I have to keep that up for Emma too,” she said, lightly smacking my arm.
“I’ll come around soon. Give my love to the kids.”
I left the restaurant and stepped into the cool evening air.
The sky above had begun to darken, the first stars faintly visible between the buildings.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
A message from Stephanie.
I rubbed my chin thoughtfully before calling her.
“Hey… do you think we could meet for dinner tonight?” I asked. “There’s something I’d like to discuss.”
Before I could move forward with anything else, I needed to let go of what wasn’t right.
30
COLE
Ilooked at the beautiful wedding card presented to me on a sunny morning at the beginning of May. The thick ivory paper felt smooth beneath my fingers as the gold lettering caught the light streaming through my office window.
Jaspreet Singh, a young server at the restaurant, had finally gotten the approval of his girlfriend’s father and was getting married on the weekend. A few staff members from the restaurant were invited to the event. Jiya, Jack, and Maureen, along with my brother’s family, were invited since Jaspreet’s fiancée worked in the company. It felt like one of those celebrations where work and personal life blended, the kind where everyone showed up not just out of obligation but because they genuinely cared.
“Hey, doing anything important?” Jiya’s voice came over the phone.
